The Transport Guide
Getting Around Rio
Airport to hotel. Uber vs taxi. Metro lines. Night rules. The honest guide to moving through Rio without stress.
First Move
GIG Airport to Your Hotel
Prearranged BBE transfer (recommended)
The safest airport option. A vetted driver meets you at arrivals, handles your bags, and takes the safest route to your hotel. No negotiation, no surprises.
Cost: included in most BBE packages. Available as a standalone add on for $45 to $75 depending on zone and group size.
Uber or 99 (safe, affordable)
Widely available at GIG. Use the official rideshare pickup zone. Always verify the driver's name and license plate before getting in. Share your trip with a contact.
Cost: R$45 to R$90 ($8 to $16) to Zona Sul. 99 is often cheaper than Uber. Both are safer than street taxis.
Street taxi (avoid)
Airport street taxis regularly quote 2x to 3x the meter rate to tourists. Unmarked taxis are a documented assault risk. Use Uber, 99, or prearranged transport only.
If you absolutely must: use the official taxi booth inside the terminal and confirm the fixed price before leaving.
Linha Vermelha warning
The highway from GIG to Zona Sul passes through elevated risk areas. This is why prearranged transport matters: a vetted driver knows the route, the timing, and the safer alternatives. Uber and 99 are still fine, but prearranged is the safest option.
Getting Around Town
Uber, 99, Metro, or Taxi?
Uber / 99
- Tracked, identified drivers
- Cashless payment
- Widely available 24/7
- Share trip with contacts
- Slightly pricier than buses
R$12 to R$45 per trip in Zona Sul
Metro
- Fast and cheap
- Safe during rush hours
- Does NOT reach the airport
- Crowded = pickpocket risk
- Limited night service
R$5.80 per ride. Lines 1, 2, 4 cover Zona Sul and Centro
Public Bus / Street Taxi
- US Embassy prohibits staff from using buses
- Documented robbery and assault risk
- Street taxis overcharge and scam
- Unpredictable routes
Not worth the risk. Use Uber or 99 instead.
After Dark
Night Transport Rules
The night rule is simple: do not walk, ride.
After 10pm, Uber or 99 for everything. Even short distances. The sidewalk between neighborhoods becomes a different risk environment at night. The inside of a tracked vehicle is materially safer. BBE travelers: your Experience Concierge can book rides for you if needed.
Safe night moves
- Uber or 99 for every trip
- Verify plate and driver name
- Share trip with a contact
- Sit in the back seat
- Use private ride, not shared
Avoid at night
- Walking between neighborhoods
- Street taxis
- Public buses
- Walking on the beach
- Unlit side streets
Let BBE handle the logistics
Airport pickup, daily transport, night safety. Every BBE trip includes routing that steers you away from the sketchy corridors and into the right vehicles with the right people. That lowers your risk; it never removes it.