Public Transportation

Rio has a really good subway system. I recommend to always take the subway instead of buses and taxis. Traffic jams are painful in Rio, it is better to be in a crowded and clean metro than stuck in a crowded and dirty bus... trust me on that one!

You purchase the metro card at the metro stations. You can add as many Reais (Brazilian currency) as you want to the card, minimum R$10 reais to start the card and minimum R$5 for aditional trips. You pay by trip, not by distance. Each trip is $2,80. You can also buy individual trips every time, but queues can be long. One doesn't need to show the card after entering the station. It is a bit confusing when going through the gate since some of them don´t take the pre-paid card (cartão pré-pago).

You enter the bus from the front door and exit from the back. Everyone pays to the driver and each trip costs R$2,20. Try to bring change, but driver will give you change if you need. Some buses might have a person in charge of collecting the fare, but they are changing the system now and most of the buses have drivers doing the collection.

Buses are known by their number, not by direction. So, you better find out the number of the line. Just the location won't help. BUS DRIVERS ARE CRAZY, they drive really fast and will only stop at the bus stop if you pull the cord (press the button) or if you waive at the bus stop.

Only take yellow taxis or the ones with taxi written on it! and if your hotel can arrange a taxi, it will be a little more expensive, but probably nicer and safer. I am not a fan of the taxi drivers in Rio... They drive like maniacs and can be dishonest.


ARRIVAL AT THE CONVENTION CENTER by metro - Estacio Metro Station

Take the right side of the metro exit and look for the sign written Centro de Convenções. The building is in between a modern blue building and a yellow old building.

WOMEN´S ONLY: One of the cars in the subway is for women only from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm. It is marked with pink colors and written Carro das Mulheres.