Finding your way around any foreign country can be tricky. So arming yourself with a bit of navigational knowledge beforehand will make life a whole lot easier. With that in mind we’ve put together a guide to Brazilian public transport. Have a read before you leave us all jealously at home and jet off to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ action live.
Getting around in Brazil
Walking
Walking is a great way to experience many of the intimacies of Brazilian cities that might be missed if you were in a bus or taxi. If you are planning on setting out on foot it is a good idea to have a map in hand and a route planned out beforehand – you don’t want to be getting lost and stumbling into any of the city’s less desirable areas.
Bicycle
Riding a bicycle on the streets of Brazil means competing with drivers who only seem to respect other vehicles larger than their own. There is no such thing as “Stay Alive at 1.5m” in Brazil. Using a bicycle as a mode of transport anywhere besides the beachfront sidewalks is not recommended.
Taxi
Taxis are a great way to get around the city; the trick is choosing the right one. The taxis you want to catch are those operating with metered fares. Catching a taxi without a meter means bargaining for a price to a destination you aren’t entirely familiar with, with a driver speaking Portuguese. In other words, you may well be ripped off. Another tip is to never catch a taxi near a major tourist attraction as their prices are quite often higher than the taxis you can find a few blocks away.
Bus
The municipal buses of Brazil have a pretty comprehensive network and run frequently. Mostly used by Brazilians to get to work and back, travelling by bus is certainly a good way to get around Brazil. With a map in hand you will quickly familiarise yourself with the city. Tickets for the bus can be purchased on board.
Metro
The Metro is not available throughout Brazil; however, Rio and Sao Paulo both have Metro systems. They are cheap, reliable and safe, making them a great way to get around.
For those of us staying at home, you can watch every moment of the 2014 FIFA World Cup – LIVE and in HD on two dedicated SuperSport channels. You can also follow @SuperSportTV & @SuperSportBlitz on Twitter to keep up-to-date with all the action.
