Bus in Rio, Rio de Janeiro

Rather than a taxi, take a bus to Corcovado — to the station for the cog–train that will take you to the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) monument that is a symbol of Rio. (Oh, you must still climb 220+ steps to reach the base of the 100–foot high statue.)

Comfortable, air conditioned buses cost only R$12 in 2002; regular buses cost R$7 (about US40¢ and 23¢ at 2003 rates of exchange).

On the way to Corcovado you'll have fascinating glimpses of Rio's street life — shops and shopping centers, humble homes and mansions, and people, people, people.

From anywhere in the city look for a bus marked 'Cosmo Velho.' Take it almost to the end of the line. You'll spot the Corcovado cog–train station (and souvenir shops) on your left near the top of the hill. But if you miss it, the next stop is the last. All you have to do is get off the bus and walk a short distance down the hill and you're there.

Meanwhile, MIAN – the naïf art museum — will be on your right as you meander down the hill. And if you go to MIAN after you've visited Cristo Redentor, your cog–train receipt will give you free entrance into the museum.

UPDATE:
In June 2003 elevators and escalators were installed at Corcovado. You no longer have to "climb 220+ steps" to reach the base of the monument. You get to the top more quickly and less tired -- but also with less a sense of triumph.

FURTHER UPDATE:
MIAN no longer grants free entrance to people with cog train receipts. The fee, in 2004, was R$10, or about US$2.25 at the then rate of exchange.

Look no further then the "Real Bus"! For R$6,50 you can take a Real bus and save you some reais if you were to travel in a taxi. If you've been to Rio before, you know the airport is WAY out in the boonies so your taxi fare may be anywhere from R$45 to R$70 depending (I never used taxis in Rio so that's just a flat estimate more or less). But for less you can ride the "Real" buses. They're air-conditioned and can be spotted pretty easily (look for the word "Real" in big letters, it'll be a blue/silver bus). The buses go to and from the airport and you can catch them in some neighborhoods. If you're in the Botafogo neighborhood, you can catch the Real bus near the front of Rio Sul Shopping Mall. It sure beats walking miles to the airport that's for sure!

And I mean that! They haul like nobody's business! They're good in getting to where you need to go quick! Some buses have air-conditioning and others don't. A little tip, make sure you ask the driver if the bus is going where you need it to. I.E. if you're going to Ipanema, and the bus has that on their list of destinations posted on the windshield then you need to ask the driver if it makes a stop there. I took a bus that had Ipanema on it's destination schedule and it ended up stopping in Cosme Velho. Needless to say I got pissed. Make sure you ask the driver if he plans to stop there.

Buzios is an old fish village location, discovered by Brigitte Bardot in early 60’s. Nowadays is a cozy small town away from Rio. It offers "pousadas" (B & B) with great views of the bay. Local buses available to Cabo Frio, Sao Pedro d' Aldeia or Arraial do Cabo. Also, boat taxis to reach the many islands around. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bb0HSZD_Ys
Take the transportation near your hotel which ends its route at the bus terminal "Rodoviaria Novo Rio". Keep in mind the same location you got off, will be where you'll catch the bus on your way back. Find the Buzios ticket window. Ask uniformed staff or store staff to avoid being misslead by good intentional people.
At the bus ticket seller window, you'll see the bus schedule affixed & decide which one is the best option. If you're going on high season, get a return ticket! There are always extra buses provided so you can also buy it there.
I advised you consider the air conditioning buses. It's usually expensive compared to the common buses but they're non-stop, while the other stops along the way. If you decide to get off the bus, make sure the driver is aware of it. You can buy stuff from the outside vendors off the bus window. Another reason to have at least an equivalent to $20 of change in the Brazilian currency handy. The bus route includes: the sierras, the Araruama lagoon and many beaches.
If return tickets are sold out, don’t panic! Place your name on the stand by list for the extra buses that will be provided.
C'mon be adventurous: board the bus and enjoy the road to Buzios!
http://www.buziosonline.com.br/home/english/echegar.cfm

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It is more and more common when you are in US or in the UK to make the following itinerary when we travel to South America, most common destination is RIO - IGUAZU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES, or in the way round.

So if you have time enough when you are in Rio, it is very worth to go to our rodoviaria and buy a bus ticket to Buenos Aires, the trip is VERY CONFORTABLE, the ticket is very cheap, less than 130 american dollars, and they include food and drinks in the two nights you spend travelling. The roads are clean and very beautiful, it is also a cool option if you travel to Iguazu Falls.

I used this buses twice and never regreted!

18 hours to Iguazu Falls
39 hours or 42 to Buenos Aires, so why not?

Here I have an useful information, how to get the tickets and look for this company CRUCERO DEL NORTE

Two buses leaves Rio every day:

08:30 am
4:30 pm
Price in real: 230, great price as the peso is lower than real, that is why it is very cheap!;)))))

To buy the tickets youhave to go to the RIO GENERAL BUS STATION which we call RODOVIARIA
The address is: Terminal Novo Rio
Guiche 14

Very important, you can go to every cool city in Argentina using this same company making conections in Buenos Aires, destinations like Bariloche, Cordoba, Mendoza, and even Ushaia are very easy to reach!

The fares are listed on the bus, you pay the cashier and then enter the turnstile - you can tell the person know where you want to get of and they will let you know when your stop comes...most are very helpful.

Our metro has TWO LINES, but when there is no subway station, the Metro provides buses to take us to the Station, and Copacabana is very well served with this bus. Cheap (2.30 reais, less than one dollar), copnfortable and big, air conditioning and very polite drivers. This bus can take you everywhere in the city. My friends from Phoenix when they came to Rio for one week, we used public transportation for one day to visit the city centre of Rio, from the right to left you can see Camelia, Siavash, Nadia, David, LOLA and my greatest brother Rodrigo.

Do not be afraid to use public transportation within the city, it is safe and sometimes more economic!

JULY 2006

Taquara-Castelo/ Castelo Taquara

This bus is a great way to go around in Rio. The Bus has AC and it's very confortable. I always found a seat. It cost U$ 1.5 and you can go from Barra da Tijuca to Downtown in just one ride.
The view is beautiful and you will go along the beach most of the way.
You can go Barra da Tijuca- Sao Conrado-Leblon-Ipanema- Copacabana- Botafogo-Flamento-Downtown in just one ride.
Pretty cool. I used this bus a lot when I lived in Rio. It's safer than the rest of the buses and much more confortable.