Brazilian Real Exchange Ratebus transportation in Brazil
What with rocketing airfares, more and more people are turning to buses as a means of transportation in Brazil. Finding your way through hundreds of bus companies, bus stations, infinite destinations and information hard to come by is definitely no easy job. Hope this entry can in some way help alleviate your pain – for finding up-to-date and reliable bus information in Brazil can certainly become a very painful process.
There are a handful of online sources you must know if you are to embark on a bus journey in Brazil.
1. ANTT (for all destinations)
The one and only country-wide official source is the website of the Agencia Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT), the Brazilian’s government official body for road transportation. Unfortunately, it’s an incredibly unfriendly site, even more if you are a foreign user with no grasp of Portuguese. Never mind the fact that can be infuriatingly stubborn. If the spelling of your destination is different from the one held at the ANTT database, you will be going nowhere. At Link: buses in Brazil I gave a step-by-step guide on how to search at the ANTT site.
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2. Socicam (for Aracaju, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo)
Much friendlier than the ANTT site is Socicam’s own website. It would be my number one choice if it wasn’t for a small detail: its restricted coverage. Socicam is a private company running the bus stations of the following cities:
Angra dos Reis (Río de Janeiro), Aracajú (Sergipe), Fortaleza (Ceará), Guarujá (São Paulo), Mogi das Cruzes (São Paulo), Niteroi (Río de Janeiro), Poços de Caldas (Minas Gerais), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Rio de Janeiro, São Carlos (São Paulo), São João da Boa Vista (São Paulo), São José dos Campos (São Paulo) and the three bus stations in São Paulo (Barra Funda, Jabaquara and Terminal Tietê).
So Socicam is only good if your origin or destination is one of the cities I’ve just mentioned. For as long as your starting point is one of those bus stations, your search will be succesful – your destination doesn’t need to feature on the list. For instance, you will find information on the São Paulo – Florianópolis route although the Florianópolis bus station is not run by Socicam.
To search for a route, choose Consulta de partidas de ônibus on the left sidebar. Choose your starting point from the Cidade de origem pop-down menu, and your destination from the Cidade – UF de destino menu. Quite straightforward, specially if you compare it with the ordeal that a consultation on the ANTT site is. If you are lucky, your search results will show the webpage and contact details of the company operating the route you were searching for. Unlike the ANTT site, Socicam only informs the details of the companies, no information on timetables or prices to be found here.
Linhas Rodoviárias , a site with bus travel information
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3. Linhas Rodoviárias (for São Paulo)
Excellent resource for departures from São Paulo to any state in Brazil and international destinations too. We have full details at Linhas Rodoviárias , a site with bus travel information.
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4. Terminal Novo Rio (for Rio de Janeiro)
If you are travelling to or from Rio de Janeiro, you might as well check the incredibly simple to use Terminal Novo Rio website. It’s by no means a pretty website, but hey, nothing beats simplicity. Type the name of your destination (or point of origin) at the PARTIDAS NOVO RIO box and off you go. The search results show the company (or companies) operating the route, including a link to their website. If you want more info, we’ve already devoted a blog post to the Rio bus station: Terminal Novo Rio.
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5. Rodoviária de Porto Alegre (for Porto Alegre)
The Rodoviária de Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre’s bus station) website in another useful source of information for trips on the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Click on Horários de Ônibus and then select your destination from the Porto Alegre para menu, the day of the week at the Dia da Semana menu (choose any day / qualquer dia if you prefer) and the departure time (Horário do Dia).
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6. Rodoviária de Curitiba (for Curitiba)
The Rodoviária de Curitiba (Curitiba’s bus station) is another site that combines ugliness with friendliness (if that could ever be possible). Simply select your destination from the De Curitiba para drop-down menu and off you go. The results page has a valuable link to the bus company running the service.
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7. DETER (for the state of Santa Catarina)
A very useful tool for trips that begin and end within the State of Santa Catarina. Go to DETER’s website and choose Consulta de Horários de Partida de Viagens. Write your departure and arrival points, and off you go.
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Below there is a series of blog posts we’ve written with information on how to get to a few destinations in Brazil:
NATIONAL
from Angra dos Reis to Paraty
from Angra dos Reis to Rio
from Brasilia to São Paulo
from Buzios to Rio
from Campinas and Viracopos airport to São Paulo
from Curitiba to São Paulo
from Curitiba to Foz do Iguaçu
from Curitiba to São Paulo
from Fortaleza to Natal
from Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba
from Foz do Iguaçu to Rio
from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo
from Natal to Fortaleza
from Paraty to Angra dos Reis
from Paraty to Rio
from Porto Alegre to São Paulo
from Rio to Angra dos Reis
from Rio to Buzios
from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu
from Rio to Paraty
from Rio to Salvador
from Rio to São Paulo
from Salvador to Rio
from São Paulo to Brasilia
from São Paulo to Campinas and Viracopos airport
from São Paulo to Curitiba
from São Paulo to Foz do Iguaçu
from São Paulo to Porto Alegre
from São Paulo to Rio
INTERNATIONAL
from Buenos Aires to São Paulo / Rio
from São Paulo to Santiago de Chile
from São Paulo to Paraguay
from Montevideo to Porto Alegre and São Paulo
I’d been meaning to write a post like this for a long time. But it was only this week, when fellow blogger Gene suggested the topic that I decided to have a go at it. From Goiáis, where he lives, Gene writes a blog full of useful information for anyone planning a spell in Brazil: Expat American Living in Brazil.
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Hello,
Just wondering if it’s possible to hire scooters and honda cbr style motorbikes in lagoa de conceciao and if so do you know how much they cost?
Jay, sorry I missed your latest query. Check out Vivo, Claro and Oi.
r harper, you can hire scooters indeed. I have no direct references of them but check out Locomotos. They are based at the Lagoa and the link I have given you leads to their English website. They should be able to sent you up to date costs. All the best.
What about 600cc bikes is that possible? I seen a video where there was loads of different bikes lined up on the street do they belong to people or for hire?
Thanks
RH
Hi
Loved your blog .. lots of useful information. I also have one about Rio de Janeiro. When you have a chance take a look – whereisriodejaneiro.com. I live in Rio and I love this city. Anything other info you need regarding Rio me let me know.
Great Job !!!
I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you there. My advice would be to contact any of the rental companies.
Monica, thanks for passing by. I’ve unsuccesfully tried to view your blog – using both Firefox and Explorer. I can view the header and the sidebar, but the content appears blank.
Hi all,
I have the opporunity to go to Florianopolis and Camboriu for cheap transportation and hotel. I’m going for 6 days, and I want to know about how much I would spend. We’re going to try to keep it on the cheap, packed lunches and such, but I’m also a splurger. What do you think?
Hi Tony,
Wonder if you could give some handy advice, would be much appreciated.
Me and my gf are staying in florianapolis for 10 days during the carnavale period, but we’re hoping to rent a car and travel around the surrounding area of South-Eastern Brazil for about 5 days. Are there any particular areas or destinations you would reccomend- particularly interested in beaches, nature, cool cities/villages. Bearing in mind that we cant stray too far as we have return flights from Floripa.
Thank you!!!
Aikopora, you don’t mention the dates of your intented travel, which can make a huge difference. But I’d say on a tight budget you’d get away on R$80 a day.
Pavel, the coast of Florianópolis and the continent nearby are really beautiful but during the carnival it will be very crowded with huge traffic jams. I need to tell you this as getting from one place to another is quite simple during the low season, not so much during the holiday periods. In any case, one of the most beautiful beach resorts near Florianópolis is Bombas/Bombinhas (search for it on Google Maps and you will find its location). It is north of Florianópolis on the way to Balneário Camboriú. South of Florianópolis and also within reach is Praia do Rosa (south of Garopaba), another highly recommended beach spot.
Now, if you really wanted to go for something spectacular and really different, you could drive up to Cambará do Sul, your base for visiting the National Park of Aparados da Serra with two awesome canyons. But you would need to spend at least one night there (if not 2) to be able to cover a small portion of the park.
Search here for info: http://aparadosdaserra.net/
And at the bottom of this page for photos: http://www.guiaaparadosdaserra.com.br/16/fotos/
Hope I have given you some interesting ideas. All the best!
hi there
I’m travelling to Enchanted Mountain near Garopaba for a yoga course whic doesn’t start until 3rd Jan, leaving me in the unenviable position of trying to find last min accommodation (budget if poss) either in Florianopolis, Garopaba or Pria da Rosa – or in fact anywhere with availability!
Can you recommend anywhere I can try as so far I’m having no luck at all!
Wow…that national park looks stunning. I think thats definitely worth a visit. Thanks so much Tony, your country is amazing.
Rachel, oh dear, I’m afraid finding accommodation in a top beach destination right at the beginning of the high season is a tall order. You could start by scanning the accommodation listings I have published. As well as the one listed on this blog’s post I’ve got one for Praia do Rosa. Have a look also at the Ibis hotel chain, you never know.
Pavel, that national park is top of my wish list!
Great post, i’m living in Arraial d’Ajuda and the best time to come is in the low season!! New year and carnaval is just overcrowded and more expensive… Best time: march to june!
Hi there,
So I’m trying to book a flight with GOL airlines and they are asking for my CPF and after doing some research I’ve found that its a Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas. But since I’m not Brazilian I dont have a CPF. Does anyone know how to get around this?
Thanks
Lisa
In Broduei is opening a new bar of a friend of mine, it’s called Bar do Andy, it’s located near the middle of Broduei. He’s trying to get some of that old broduei and Arraial d’Ajuda feeling back.
Were all the tourists always go to “the more popular” beaches like Parracho and Pitinga, we locals enjoy more the other side like with beaches like Praia Apaga Fogo, d’Ajuda,dos nativos. Here you will find relaxed beachbars like the bar called Sting with good and different music, far away from the tourist madness!
Rua do Mudugê is also allready changed a lot, fewer bars and more restaurants… seems like Arraial d Ajuda is changing… more condominiums than pousadas or hotels.
It’s just not like it just to be.
Tim
Indeed praia do espelho is beautifull but only with sun and low tide! All the beaches in Arraial d’Ajuda,Trancoso and Caraiva are best to visit with low tide and on a sunny day.
Personnaly i like Arraial d’Ajuda better because there’s more to do and see. Trancoso is beautifull but there’s not a the same amount of options that Arraial d’Ajuda has.
Another beautfull thing in Arraial d’Ajuda is seeing the full moon rise from out the sea!
Eather on the beach or behind the church where you have a beautifull view also during the day!
It’s sad to see that so many beautifull beaches are being polluted by chaotic urban development and environmental crime, this time it’s not the rich and famous who try to build their houses anywhere the want, but still, where is Ibama???
I’ve not seen this yet but need to check it out! Just in case you’re interested, I found a more detailed page with some background resources (photos, information about the artists, tracklistings etc) on the BBC site here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv/brasilbrasil/
Hope that helps!
Cheers, Suzy
Suzy, that is smashing, thanks a lot. I’ve added the link to the main text. All the best!
Lisa, at Gol’s home page, select “other countries” from the menu at the top right of the page and proceed with your booking from there.
So I switched that and now it doesn’t want to accept my VISA card, it keeps giving me 2 different error messages that are you in Portugeuse. Perhaps I should just try calling them!
Lisa, if calling Gol is an option that would definitely be my choice. Purchasing tickets from Gol is a permanent source of headaches for non-residents. In case you didn’t see it, this is Gol’s section on how to pay. All the best!
A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.
Indeed. There are plenty of fishing opportunities in the region if that’s what you’re interested in.
Hi Tony,
I was searching for some pictures and information about São Luís – MA because I’m going to spend a week with my mom there, and lucky I’ve found your pictures on flickr and this useful blog. Congratulations for your work.
Because I live in the northeast area, in Paraíba state, I searched for some info here from where I live in your blog but I couldn’t find any.
I hope you have a chance to search and know Paraíba state one day and register the beauty we have here.
Good job.
Sandra, thanks for your kind comments. I haven’t visited Paraíba yet, we have a post on links: João Pessoa but that’s it. I assume you’ve already seen our posts on Lençóis Maranhenses and São Luís. Have a great trip in Maranhão!
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