Rodoviaria Novo Rio (Rio de Janeiro Intercity Bus Terminal) is the main long-distance coach station in Rio.
From this bus terminal (Rodoviaria Novo Rio), hundreds of buses depart and arrive every day to/from all over Brazil as well as to/from other countries in South America.
Budget Brazilian vacationers travel a lot on these toilet-equipped air-conditioned modern buses, despite the ever-increasing popularity of low-cost flights, which in Brazil, depending on the airline, can be paid in several installments.
The Rio de Janeiro long-distance bus terminal is rather big, always busy, and with a decent infrastructure such as plenty of seats, newsstands, shops, internet and international calls cabins, snack bars, ATMs, taxi stand, bus stations, and more.
Food court at Rodoviaria Novo Rio.
Inside the bus terminal is quite safe, but tourists should definitely keep an eye on their belongs 100% of the time (especially when eating or standing in line to purchase the bus single- or round-trip ticket).
You should double your attention on the busiest times of the year which are Carnival, around New Year’s Day, Christmas, and on long weekend public holidays such as Easter.
Besides, the bus terminal will probably be very busy during the 2014 Brazil World Cup (which will be in 12 cities throughout the country) as well as during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Buying the bus ride tickets in advance is strongly recommended during those events.
Taxi ticket office at the intercity bus terminal in Rio de Janeiro.
Among the most popular destinations foreign travelers go to are Paraty, Buzios, Mangaratiba or Angra dos Reis (these two with the purpose of going to Ilha Grande) as well as to other lesser known destinations such as Trindade, Ubatuba, Ilha Bela towards the Southern Brazil as well as Cabo Frio and Arraial do Cabo towards the northeast of Rio de Janeiro.
Bus fares are reasonably priced, but cheaper than a taxi or a private transfer. However, you should include in your budget a taxi to/from the intercity bus terminal to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Standing in line to buy intercity bus tickets at Rodoviaria Novo Rio.
Taxi is the safest choice to get to the terminal or to get to your hotel. The best ones are those from cooperatives (Coopatur, Transcootur, Coopetramo) that have a partnership with the bus terminal. They are more expensive than regular yellow taxis, but they are 100% reliable, and you can prepay it by credit card.
Note that many Rio de Janeiro hotels are able to book regular transfers to some of these destinations, especially Buzios and Paraty, the most popular off-Rio destinations among foreigners.
Regular transfers is a good choice as you are picked up at your hotel, instead of taking a taxi to the terminal and then taking a bus.
You can buy the bus tickets online, at the coach station, or at a travel agency in Copacabana that sells them for an inexpensive fee. The agency name is Guanatur, located at Rua Dias da Rocha, 16-A Copacabana.
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