| USE THE NATURAL LANDMARKS:
The visitor neighborhoods of Rio are blessed
with spectacular natural scenery. From within the narrow band along
running along the beach from Gloria in Centro to Leblon in Zona Sul the
natural landmarks can generally easily be observed, this is yet another
way to better appreciate this spectacular scenery. |
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FUTURE
EXPANSION:
Line 6 is planned to link the International Airport
on Ilha do Governador with Barra de Tijuca (22 km). It will offer
transfer to Line
2
and Flumitrens' suburban service. Line 3 will be privately financed
and run to Niterói and São Gonçalo including a tunnel under
Guanabara Bay. Bids were called in Dec. 2000.
Source:
SUBWAY MAP by metropla.nett |
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| METRO ||
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METRO SUBWAY: Clean,
comfortable and efficient, but it is rather limited in the area it covers. Unfortunately the only neighborhood in Zona Sul with a subway is
Copacabana. The expansion of the subway south to Impanema is on
the drawings boards and is expected to open in a few years.
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| click foto for larger map |
There are only two lines:
Line 1 is 14.5 km long and runs from
the beaches in Copacabana north to the city centre, then turns west via
the main railway station to Estácio, where transfer is provided to
Line 2, and further to the district of
Tijuca. The first section of the line opened in 1979 between Glória
and Praça Onze (5 km), after 9 years of construction. It was then
extended to Botafogo in the south (1981) and Saens Peña in
the west (1982). 16 years later, in July 1998 it reached Copacabana (Cardeal
Arcoverde station, 1.7 km). It was extended further south to Siqueira
Campos (Dec. 2002) and might soon reach Ipanema (Praça General Osório).
Line
2 is 22
km, partly elevated and retains elements of its
history as a light rail line serving the suburbs. Leaving from Estácio
station on Line 1 in various stages it was extended towards the
northwestern districts and its terminus Pavuna. In the future
it will be extended from Estácio into the city centre and
to the harbour, crossing Line 1 again
at Carioca. It's useful for going to
the Maracanã Stadium and the Quinta da Boa Vista.
- The hours of operation are only
Monday-Saturday 0600-2300 and 1am on weekends
- No day pass but you can get a 10-ride
card
- Extremely quick, the trip takes about 20 minutes to move you from
Centro to Copacabana (as compared to a 40- to 60-minute bus ride in
rush hour).
- When emerging
from stations into an unfamiliar area be careful to not attract
attention as lost tourists by keeping your wits about you.
http://www.metrorio.com.br
Official web site
google.com/search?=off&q=subway+guide+rio
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| BUS: ||
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| BUS: RIO Buses are fast and relatively easy to get to know how to
use effectively. Get advice about the bus lines near where your staying as
soon as possible. Tickets costs are very reasonable and
are purchased from the conductor, who sits next to the turnstile at the
back of the bus.
Jardineira buses: Locally
known as frescão (fresh-caun) run along the beach and can be
hailed just like taxis. From Copacabana to São Conrado
to Barra. The bus stops are white posts along the street
Vans: These are tolerated privately operated green minivans running
back and forth along beachfront avenues and they will stop when flagged
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RIO BUS TIPS
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- Remember to enter from the
rear, money & bags at the ready
to go through a turnstile and to exit from the front.
- Carry something with your hotel name
& address on it before you embark
on your first bus adventure. The knowledge that you can return
safely to your hotel by taxi will empower you to be more daring
in your bus selection.
- Compare your map with route number and final destination
displayed in big letters on the front of the bus. Smaller signs
displayed inside the front window and posted on the side of the
bus list the intermediate stops or other important information like "via aterro"
- Go "via aterro" between Centro and hotel-beach area
of Zona Sul. Look for a smaller front window sign which
says "via aterro." These buses get on the
waterfront boulevard in Botafogo and don't stop until they reach
downtown.
- If you see your bus coming, and your the only one at
your stop, wave your hand up and down at the driver
- You pay for each ride; there are no transfers.
- Buses are quite safe during the day, just watch for
pickpockets when it gets very busy. Openings to your backpack
should be kept visible. Don't wear jewelry, flash money or let
go of your bags.
- On weeknights, or whenever it seems
too problematic take
a taxi. Ask how much before you get in.
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| google.com/search?=bus+guide+rio
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TAXI
|| TOP ||
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Yellow taxis with a blue stripe are
hailed on the streets, plentiful and reasonable.
FARES: The flag, bandeira, indicates the tariff and usually reads
'1'. However, the tariff will be '2' after 2200, on Sundays, holidays and
throughout December. Fares during these times will be about 20% higher.
Also during the late evenings and holiday periods like Carnaval and New
Years, yellow cab drivers may be only interested in working for
premium rates.
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"Let
the meter speak for you. Always ask the driver how much it will cost
before you get into the cab. It gives the impression that you know
where you are going. By luck, you may get to ride in an
air-conditioned Yellow taxi."
cybercityguides |
We prefer getting a quote you in advance. Of course, it is
helpful if you have an idea of the metered rate or another competing cab
driver is easily hailed but minimally it is cheap insurance in an industry
known for fleecing tourists. If you do not see the
meter running determine this rate as quickly as possible if you have not
done so prior to entering the vehicle.
Radio taxis may be white, blue or
red with a red and
yellow stripe, are ordered by telephone and are generally nicer and
air-conditioned
Pre-paid taxi
is how the airport does it using zones
TIPPING: Most Brazilians do not tip taxi
drivers but rounding up and saying keep the change is appreciated.
Radio taxis are about 20% more expensive and can be contacted by phone;
try
Central de Táxi (tel: (21) 2593 2598
Coopertramo (tel. 021/2560-2022)
Transcoopass
(tel. 021/2560-4888
google.com/search?=taxi+guide+rio
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| Limousines |
Check with your hotel for cars supplied with a driver.
Here are some high end vendors of luxury cars and limousines with a chauffeur
Golden Car (tel: (21) 2275 4748; e-mail: goldencar@riomaster.com.br;
www.riomaster.com.br/goldencar),
which provides Rolls Royce cars with English-, Spanish- or
Portuguese-speaking drivers, for R$1800 for four hours
Grace Festas (tel: (21) 2516 9297; e-mail: gracefestas@leg.com.br)
has a fleet of Mercedes Benz mini-limousines available with
English-speaking chauffeurs, for approximately R$400 per hour.
Turismo Classico Travel (tel: (021) 287 3390).
Dina Car
Rental (tel: (021) 9994 2377)
Rio Limousine Service (tel:
(021) 9974 9838) |
| CAR
|| TOP || |
|
Car Rental
Driving is a good option for local excursions and visiting some
of the beaches up or down the coast. Insurance is required and a credit card is essential. Some major
|
CAR
RENTAL |
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| Use Rio International
Airport Code of GIG for price quotes from Hertz & Avis |
companies with car hire offices in the city include:
Avis, Avenida
Princesa Isabel 150, Copacabana (tel: (021) 542 3392);
Hertz,
Avenida Princesa Isabel 334B (tel: (021) 275 7440); Localiza,
Avenida Princesa Isabel 214 (tel: (021) 275 3340; website: www.localiza.com.br);
Budget, Avenida Princesa Isabel 350 (tel:
(021) 295 0040).
Driving in the City
It is not recommended to attempt to negotiate the many confusing one-way streets in the
crowded city centre. While Brazilians are among the world's most aggressive
drivers, there has been a successful campaign to get Rio driver's to heed
all traffic signs and signals, still caution and good navigational assistance are
most helpful.
Seatbelts should be worn and doors should always
be kept locked.
Car Parking
Not only is it difficult to park
on public streets but you are likely going to have to deal with someone
who insists on helping you park. Cariocas call them flanelinhas
because of the flannel cloth they wave to give directions. Most people
settle on R$2 (US$1)Restaurants and clubs have free valet parking (manobrista),
though you are expected to tip the driver; R$2 (US$1) is usually adequate.
For visitors making a day trip to Rio by car the
best option is to park in a secure car park, leaving your car with an
attendant.
If you rent a car at the airport get a hotel that
has parking.
www.google.com/search?car+guide
+rio |
| BICYCLE
|| TOP || |
Bicycle Hire
Worth investigating soon after you arrive. Ask at your hotel for recommendations.
There is terrific access to the ribbon of beaches and parks using the
cycle paths. Rio has a growing network of over 74km
(46 miles) of bike paths
Rua Figueiredo Magalhães 285
s. 303, Copacabana (tel: (021) 257 1726), from R$15 per day.
google.com/search
bicycle+guide+rio+de+janeiro
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