Rio Transit Fares
Visitor's guide to public transit fares in Rio de Janeiro
Public transit in Rio de Janeiro is pretty inexpensive on a per trip basis, but it can add up quickly if you make a lot of short trips since, unlike most large cities, there is no such thing as a day pass or a weekly pass. This does however keep things fairly simple, especially if you are just riding the Metro.
How much is a single transit fare in Rio de Janeiro
A single fare or ticket for the Metro + Subway Bus can be purchased at the station or you can enter through the turnstiles using a Visa card, Mastercard or a mobile phone with NFC technology supporting proximity payment. This will be the simpler option for most visitors.
Cost: R$ 7,90
MetrôRio Card
The MetrôRio card is fare card that can be purchased either for a single multi-modal trip using the Metro and a Subway Bus or as a reloadable fare card.
A single trip fare includes a transfer between the Metro and a Subway Bus, however, you should do so right away (don't stop for lunch) as your ticket has a 2 hour total time limit.
GIRO Card
The GIRO is a card you can purchase and top up at at MetroRio ticket offices, automated vending machines, or through the GIRO app on your phone and then use repeatedly to pass through the turnstiles metro and subway stations until the loaded value is used up. The initial fare purchase is a minimum of R$ 7,90 and there is a R$ 4,00 refundable security deposit for a total initial coast of R $11,90.
You can store up to R$ 500 on a GIRO card, but, if you decide to store a significant amount on it, be sure to register it on MetroRios' website so you can put a stop on the card and transfer your balance to a new on if it gets lost or stolen.
The GIRO card can be used throughout the Metro system, on MetrôRio buses (Metrô na Superfície) and even to pay for Bike Rio rentals.
For more information please visit Metro Rio Fares and Payments.
City Bus Fares
Rio is served by a copious number of city buses plying nearly 1000 different routes and operated by many different companies. Other than the special buses described above, if you wish to ride one of the city buses you must have a cash fare ready and pay the driver or the fare collecter seated behind the driver who will then permit you to pass through the turnstile (Yes, even buses have turnstiles). Prices can vary but the majority of routes are $R 4,70. There are no tickets or transfers, so you must pay the fare each time you board the bus.
BARCAS Rio Ferry Fares
The Barcas Rio Ferries have 4 routes that operate out of Praça XV near downtown Rio; 2 crossing and 2 going north up Guanabara Bay. Ferry only fares can be purchased at the terminal and are as follows:
- Praça XV to Square Arariboia (Niteroi) R$ 4,70
- Praça XV to Charitas R$ 7,70
- Praça XV to Paqueta R$ 4,70
- Praça XV to Cocota R$ 4,70
- Integrated Subway plus Ferry Fare with Riocard R$ 8,55
