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Travel - Internal
AIR: There is a shuttle service between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a regular service from São Paulo to Brasília, and a shuttle service from Brasília to Belo Horizonte. There are air services between all Brazilian cities, Brazil having one of the largest internal air networks in the world. At weekends it is advisable to book seats as the services are much used. The monthly magazine Panrotas gives all timetables and fares for internal air travel. Air taxis are available between all major centres.
Domestic airports: São Paulo (Viracopos) (VCP), 96km (60 miles) southwest of the city. Airport facilities include banking, a duty-free shop and a restaurant.
São Paulo (Congonhas) (CGH), 14km (8 miles) from the city.
Manaus (Internacional Eduardo Gomes) (MAO), 14km (9 miles) from the city. There are coach services into the city and to other destinations.
Salvador (Dois de Julho) (SSA), 36km (22 miles) from the city. 24-hour taxi facilities are available. Airport facilities include banking, a duty-free shop and a restaurant.
The Brazilian Airpass: The airpass is available through Varig Brazilian Airlines and can be purchased only outside of Brazil and only in conjunction with a Varig or British Airways international carrier ticket. Only one airpass may be purchased per person. The pass costs US$530 for up to five internal flights. Validity is for 21 days from first date of travel. Further information is available from Varig Brazilian Airlines in the UK (tel: (0845) 603 7601). It is also possible to buy an airpass with VASP, Transbrasil and TAM and use any international carrier.
Departure tax: Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo: US$6-8.
SEA/RIVER: Ferries serve all coastal ports. River transport is the most efficient method of travel in the Amazon Delta. The government-owned Empresa de Navegação de Amazônia (ENASA) has now virtually suspended its passenger-boat services, but private companies have stepped in and provide constantly improving services on rivers throughout the country. Boat trips from the mainland to the popular and beautiful islands of Ilha Grande, Ilhabela and Ilha de Santa Catarina are also possible.
RAIL: Limited rail connections exist to most major cities and towns, but there has been a substantial decline in the provision of long-distance services from the 18 major regional networks. Most (95 per cent) of Brazil’s 22,000km (13,640 miles) of rail lines are located within 480km (300 miles) of its Atlantic coastline. Because of the great distances and the climate, some of these journeys can be uncomfortable. Daytime and overnight trains with restaurant and sleeping-cars link São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s most scenic rail routes are from Curitiba to Paranagua (originating in São Paulo) and from São Paulo to Santos. Other major rail routes include Belo Horizonte–Itabira–Vitoria (with buffet car), Campo Grande–Ponte Pora (with restaurant car), Porto Santana–Serra do Navio (second-class only), Santos Ana Costa–Juquia (second-class only), São Luis A Guarda–Parauapebas (with buffet car), Curitiba–Foz do Iguacu, São Paulo–Panorama (second-class only), São Paulo–Presidente Prudente (first-class, air-conditioned, buffet and sleeping cars available), Araguari–Campinas (restaurant or buffet car) and Santa Maria–Pôrto Alegre (with restaurant car). Children under three travel free. Children from three to nine pay half fare.
ROAD: Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Inter-urban transport is very much road-based (accounting for 97 per cent of travel) compared with air (2.2 per cent) and rail (less than one per cent). High-quality coaches have been increasingly introduced on the main routes, which are well served. Services connect all inhabited parts of the country. Standards and timetables vary, and the visitor must be prepared for overnight stops and long waits between connecting stages. Car hire: Available in all major centres but rates are expensive and the whole procedure very bureaucratic. Parking in cities is very difficult and it is best to avoid driving through the often congested urban areas if at all possible. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.
URBAN: There are extensive bus services in all the main centres, often with air-conditioned express executivo coaches running at premium fares. Rio and São Paulo both have two-line metros and local rail lines, and there are trolleybuses in São Paulo and a number of other cities. Trolleybuses are increasingly being introduced as an energy-saving measure. Fares are generally regulated with interchange possible between some bus and metro/rail lines, for instance on the feeder bus linking the Rio metro with Copacabana. Taxi: In most cities these are identified by red number plates and are fitted with meters. Fares are inexpensive, costing a little more with the ‘special’ taxis with air conditioning and better comfort. Willingness to accept a taxi driver’s advice on where to go or where to stay should be tempered by the knowledge that places to which he takes a visitor are more than likely to give him a commission – and the highest commissions will usually come from the most expensive places. Taxis are metered and passengers should insist that the meter is turned on.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Rio de Janeiro to other major cities/towns in Brazil.
| Air | | Belo Horizonte | 0.50 | | Brasília | 1.30 | | Campo Grande | 3.30 | | Curitiba | 1.30 | | Fortaleza | 4.25 | | Foz de Iguaçu | 3.00 | | Manaus | 5.00 | | Natal | 3.00 | | Porto Alegre | 2.00 | | Recife | 2.45 | | Salvador | 2.00 | | São Paulo | 0.55 |
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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