Arrival & Transport

Brazil has several international airports. The three most important for travelers from German-speaking countries:

São Paulo — Guarulhos (GRU)

Brazil's largest airport and international hub. Direct flights from Frankfurt with LATAM and Lufthansa (approx. 11.5–12h). Also from Munich (Lufthansa/LATAM). Connecting flights via Lisbon (TAP), Paris (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM), Madrid (Iberia), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). The airport is located 25 km northeast of the center.

Transfer: Uber/99 to the center (approx. 80–120 BRL / 14–20€, 40–90 min depending on traffic). Airport Express Bus to Paulista Avenue (approx. 55 BRL). GRU Airport Shuttle to hotels.

Rio de Janeiro — Galeão/Tom Jobim (GIG)

Rio's international airport on Ilha do Governador, 20 km north of Copacabana. Direct flights from Europe with less frequency than GRU, but good connecting flights. Many long-haul flights first land in São Paulo and then continue to Rio.

Transfer: Uber to Copacabana approx. 60–100 BRL (10–17€, 30–60 min). BRT bus "Transolímpica" to the metro (cheap, but cumbersome with luggage).

Other Airports

• Salvador (SSA): Good connections via Lisbon (TAP). 28 km north of the center.
• Brasília (BSB): Capital airport, important domestic hub.
• Recife (REC): Brazil's closest airport to Europe, good TAP connections via Lisbon.

Flight Prices (Guidelines from Germany)

In a country as large as Brazil, domestic flights are often the only sensible option. The distances are immense: São Paulo–Manaus is 2,700 km (3.5h flight vs. 60h bus!). The main airlines:

Airlines

• LATAM Brasil: Brazil's largest airline with the most extensive route network. Reliable, good service. Domestic flights from 150 BRL (25€) one-way.
• GOL: Brazil's leading low-cost airline. Large route network, cheaper than LATAM, but extra charge for checked luggage. From 100 BRL (17€) one-way without luggage.
• Azul: Brazilian offshoot of JetBlue. Good route network, particularly strong in destinations off the main routes. The only airline flying directly to Fernando de Noronha and many Amazon destinations. From 120 BRL (20€).

Important Domestic Routes

Long-Distance Buses — For Medium Distances

Brazil has a good long-distance bus network, but the distances make buses only sensible for shorter routes (up to 8–10h). The buses are modern, air-conditioned (often VERY cold — bring a jacket!), and divided into three classes:

• Convencional: Standard, seats slightly reclinable. Cheapest option.
• Executivo: Wider seats, more legroom, snacks. Recommended.
• Leito: Reclining seats (180°), blanket, pillow. Ideal for night trips, but twice as expensive.

Important Bus Companies

• 1001: Largest route network in the southeast (Rio–São Paulo, Rio–Búzios).
• Kaissara: Rio–Minas Gerais, Rio–Northeast.
• Itapemirim: Nationwide network, solid standard.
• Viação Cometa: São Paulo–South, comfortable Leito buses.

Important Bus Routes

City Transport

• Uber / 99: In all Brazilian cities the most convenient and safest transport option. Cheaper than taxis, GPS-tracked, paid via app. The app "99" (Brazilian) is sometimes even cheaper than Uber. Both are available everywhere and absolutely indispensable.
• Metro: São Paulo has Brazil's largest subway network (6 lines). Rio has 3 metro lines (Copacabana–Centro well connected). Both clean and safe.
• City Buses: Cheap (approx. 5 BRL / 0.80€), but confusing for tourists. Windows often closed due to air conditioning. Google Maps shows bus routes.
• Boats: The main means of transport in the Amazon and along the coast. From Manaus to Belém (4–5 days by ship, hammock, pure adventure!).