Getting around Rio de Janeiro by bus is easy and convenient. There are many bus lines which crisscross town and go to the best attractions.
Rio bus drivers' proverbial passion for speed seems to have abated somehow. Although you still get the occasional F-1 wannabe, you'll have a sense of normalcy on most of the rides.
Safety on Rio de Janeiro Buses
As for the risk of crime - although it exists, make a point of replacing fear with caution and awareness. Bus lines serving Rio landmarks are used by hardworking adults, students, and the elderly on a regular basis.
On the other hand, quite a few cariocas express a fear of taking buses at late hours. Once rush hour is over, you should take a taxi from a company, preferably from a company recommended by your hotel.
There are precautions you can take to feel safer on Rio buses. Everyone in Rio warns against showing your wallet unless it's absolutely necessary. Whether they use a bus card or money, Rio residents get it out of their wallet before leaving the office or the store.
On the bus, keep an eye out for suspicious-looking people, especially in twos or in groups. It might be better to get off at a busy stop and wait for the next bus then to stay on the bus while your intuition sends off red alerts.
Don't carry more money than what you need for the outing's expenses. It's a sad truth about Brazil that some places don't accept international credit cards – or any kind of credit card, for that matter. That includes taxis and some museums. But most restaurants and shops in Rio do.
If you're taking a taxi, ask at your hotel how much the ride should cost on average and plan accordingly.
On the bus, keep your purse in front of you as much as possible. Take your backpack off your back and hold it in front of you. Be particularly aware of your purse when you're getting on and off the bus or standing in the aisle looking for the right stop to get off at.
Useful Bus Lines for Travelers in Rio de Janeiro
Assuming you stay in the South Zone, or Zona Sul – which includes Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, which buses are the most useful to travelers?
Some of the most useful regular bus lines for tourists in Rio de Janeiro are:
- 569
- 570
- 583
- 584
These are circular bus lines, that is, they keep going round the same route all day long. The average waiting time for these lines is about 15 minutes, but you may have to wait longer around rush hour.
To see the complete itinerary for the lines above, fill in the line number in the Rio de Janeiro Itinerary Guide, in the Numero de Linha box.
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