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Transportation in Brazil: how it works in Brazil — first-hand

Short answer
For city-to-city travel, use sleeper buses with luggage tagging, but account for significant traffic delays. Within cities, rely on official airport taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber and 99, while avoiding unverified local drivers.

From real experience

Bus travel between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro: scheduled travel time is approx 6 hours, but actual duration is heavily dependent on traffic, holidays, and time of day (often exceeding 9-10 hours).
Recommendations: opt for 'leito' (sleeper) seats for comfort. Bring warm clothing as bus air conditioning is typically set to very low temperatures.
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When arriving late at night at Rio de Janeiro airport, safe transportation options to a hotel include official airport taxis, Uber, and 99 (a local ride-sharing app).
Be cautious of local taxi drivers who might try to dissuade tourists from using ride-sharing services by claiming pickups are unsafe or far; Uber pickups are typically safe and near the terminal. If paying cash for Uber/99, ensure the driver completes the trip in the app to avoid potential payment disputes. Official airport taxi stands are considered a very safe option.
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For travel to Iguazu Falls from Brazil, flying is recommended over long-distance bus journeys (over 24 hours) if budget allows.
Potential flight destinations include Cascavel, Maringa, or Curitiba. From Rio de Janeiro, flying to São Paulo and then to Foz do Iguaçu is an option. While bus travel is available, the scenic value may not justify the time commitment. For those preferring buses, consider options with sleeper seats for comfort. When budgeting, be aware that flights to Iguazu can be costly, especially when booked last minute.
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Overnight bus travel between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro is recommended for comfort and safety.
Buses are typically modern, clean, and two-tiered. Luggage is handled with tagging for secure retrieval. Seating is designed for comfort, offering ergonomic support and leg rests, facilitating sleep during the ~6-hour journey. Prices for seated tickets are approximately 1500 RUB, with sleeper options being slightly more expensive. Multiple bus companies operate from the terminal, allowing for selection based on price and service type.
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For safe taxi travel from São Paulo GRU Airport (especially at night) to hotels, it is recommended to use ride-sharing apps like Uber or 99, or official airport taxis.
Avoid unverified local taxis. Uber is generally considered safe, with users reporting many incident-free rides. The 99 app is also reliable and often cheaper than Uber. Consider subscribing to Uber One for experienced drivers and cashback on rides (approx. 400 RUB/month or potentially free).
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São Paulo is not a coastal city; the nearest beaches (e.g., Santos, Guarujá) are 2+ hours away by road, heavily impacted by traffic.
Public buses and taxis are common but unpredictable due to severe traffic congestion. For ride-sharing (Uber/99), expect potential driver cancellations for long-distance beach trips. Official taxi stands at the airport offer fixed-rate options, often safer but more expensive than ride-sharing apps.
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For transportation in Rio de Janeiro, Uber is a widely available option, often working well with cash payments and local phone numbers.
The local app '99' is another alternative. Ensure you have the correct international version of Uber if your Russian version is not functional abroad. Bus routes are also an option if other services fail.
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Recommended residential/tourist areas in Salvador, Bahia for safety: Rio Vermelho (popular, police presence), Pituba (residential), and Barra (tourist-heavy).
General advice: avoid walking in small, empty alleys at night and use ride-sharing services like Uber.
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Main taxi services in Brazil are Uber and 99. The application 'Maxim' also operates in the country, though it is less common.
For authentication issues in Uber, users should consider using the 99 taxi app as a reliable alternative.
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Bus travel in São Paulo offers options for upgraded seating, such as seats near emergency exits, which provide more legroom and comfort for a fee of approximately 2800 rubles per segment.
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