Established on March 5, 1979, the Rio de Janeiro Metro serves as the second most utilized subway system in Brazil, transporting over 780,000 daily passengers and exceeding 280 million annual passengers. Comprising of 41 stations and 2 lines, it covers an impressive length of 57 km.
The Rio de Janeiro Metro is a public transportation system serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The metro system caters to around 780,000 passengers per day.
The Rio de Janeiro Metro does not operate 24 hours a day. It provides air conditioning for its passengers. However, it does not have the feature to walk between platforms, driverless trains, or screen doors platforms.
The system is operated by Rio Trilhos. The fare for a journey is R$ 4,10. For more information, you can visit the Rio de Janeiro Metro Official Website. Its operation hours are from 5:00 to 00:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 07:00 to 23:00 on Sundays and holidays.
About Rio de Janeiro
Famed for its captivating beaches, stunning landscapes, and lively ambiance (particularly during Carnival), Rio de Janeiro is the most renowned city in Brazil. Situated in the Southeast region, the city is a magnet for tourists from all corners of the globe.
Despite being one of the smallest states in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro holds one of the highest populations, accounting for approximately 8.4% of the total Brazilian populace. As a result, it has the highest population density in the country.
To cater to such a vast population and the influx of tourists throughout the year, the city of Rio de Janeiro implemented an efficient transport system.
A Brief History
In March 1979, the Rio de Janeiro Metro initiated its services with a modest 4.3 km track and five stations close to the city center. In merely ten days post-inauguration, it accommodated more than half a million passengers.
Managed by MetrôRio, the Rio de Janeiro Metro system embarked on its first expansion in 1980 with the introduction of the Uruguaiana and Estácio stations. This addition broadened the passenger base and subsequently necessitated an increase in operating cars.
The expansion continued into 1981 with the addition of the Carioca, Catete, Morro Azul (now renamed Flamengo), and Botafogo stations. The same year witnessed the inauguration of Metro Line 2 with the Maracanã and São Cristóvão stations, and an extension of Line 1 in its Sul section with the Largo do Machado station.
New stations unveiled in 1982 included the Afonso Pena Station, São Francisco Xavier Railway Station, and Saes Pena. During this period, the operational hours of trains on this segment were from 6:00 to 14:00.
The under-construction stations at the time, namely Maria da Graça, Del Castilho, Inhaúma, and Irajá, were successfully completed and launched. These stations operated “Pre-Metro” trains that lacked certain features of the contemporary Metro system.
In 1984, Line 2 began running five trains on weekdays at six-minute intervals. In 1988, the Triagem station started its operations, and between 1991 and 1996, three more stations, Engenho Rainha Station, Thomaz Coelho, and Vicente de Carvalho, were added. Subsequently, the lines began accommodating an increasing number of running trains.
Guide to Traveling via the Rio De Janeiro Metro
1) Metro Lines
The Rio de Janeiro Metro operates two main lines:
Line 1 – Orange (General Osório – Uruguai).
Stations on Line 1 include: General Osório, Cantagalo, Siqueira Campos, Cardeal Arcoverde (Leme Integration), Botafogo, Flamengo, Largo do Machado, Catete, Glória, Cinelândia, Carioca, Uruguaiana, Presidente Vargas, Central, Praça Onze, Estácio, Afonso Pena, São Francisco Xavier – Sáenz Peña, Uruguai. Under construction: Shopping Rio Sul, Barão de Mesquita, Méier.
Line 2 – Green (Botafogo – Pavuna).
Stations on this line are: Botafogo, Flamengo, Largo do Machado, Catete, Glória, Cinelândia, Carioca, Uruguaiana, Presidente Vargas, Central, Cidade Nova, São Cristóvão, Triagem, Maria da Graça, Nova América – Del Castilho, Inhaúma, Engenho da Rainha, Thomaz Coelho, Vicente de Carvalho, Irajá, Colégio, Coelho Neto, Acari – Fazenda Botafogo, Eng. Rubens Paiva, Pavuna. Note: On weekends, line 2 only runs up to the Estacio station.
Line 4 – Yellow
Operational since September 2016, this line was initially opened exclusively for ticket holders of the 2016 Olympics. In September, it was made accessible to the general public.
Stations: Jardim Oceânico, São Conrado, Gávea, Antero de Quental, Jardim de Alah, Nossa Senhora da Paz.
2) Interconnections
The Orange and Green lines intersect at the following stations: Central, Presidente Vargas, Uruguaiana, Carioca, Cinelândia, Glória, Catete, Largo do Machado, Flamengo, Botafogo.
Transfers to the SuperVia train service, Rio de Janeiro’s train service, can be made at the following Line 2 stations: Central, São Cristóvão, Maracanã, Triagem, Pavuna.
3) Airport Transfers
There are two airports in Rio de Janeiro: Galeao Airport and Santos Dumont Airport. To reach Galeao, you should take the subway line 2 to the Vicente de Carvalho station. From there, one of the BRT (Rapid Transport Bus) lines, either the Transcarioca Line with stops or the Transcarioca Express Line, can be taken.
It is also possible to reach Santos Dumont Airport by metro. You need to go to the Cinelândia station and take the VLT (Light Rail Vehicle) to the airport (a 7-minute ride). Note: The VLT requires a prepaid Bilhete Único Carioca card for payment. These cards can be purchased at Santos Dumont Airport, other RioCard outlets, or from vending machines. These machines accept cash but do not provide change.
4) Languages
The announcements in the Rio de Janeiro Metro are made in Portuguese and English.
5) Operating Hours and Frequency
The Rio de Janeiro Metro operates daily from 5:00 to 00:00, Monday through Saturday, and from 7:00 to 23:00 on Sundays and holidays. </ p>
Trains on Line 1 run every 4-7 minutes, and on Line 2, they run every 5-10 minutes.
6) Fares
Standard Fare for Users: R $ 4.10
Combined Metro + Bus Fare: R $ 4.10
- The following individuals can travel for free:
- Rio de Janeiro public school students
- Individuals over 65 years old
- Individuals with disabilities, along with an authorized companion
- Individuals with chronic illnesses
- Children up to 6 years old (when accompanied by a responsible adult)
7) Types of Cards
MetrôRio Prepaid Card
This card is convenient for travelers intending to utilize the Rio de Janeiro metro system to explore the city. It can be purchased at subway stations or vending machines and can be used on both buses and subways, avoiding long queues. It also offers discounts for theatre visits. The minimum load value is R$5.00.
Unitary Card
The Unitary card is a single-use card intended solely for metro rides. It does not provide any additional benefits. If unused, you can request a refund at any of the metro stations. IMPORTANT: This is the only card that can be used for integration with other public transport services in Rio de Janeiro, such as Supervia and Intermunicipal Integration.
“Metrô na Superfície” Card
This card is applicable to the “Metrô na Superfície” bus line extensions that supplement the Rio de Janeiro Metro system.
Payment Methods
Payment MethodsCards can be purchased at any station in the Rio de Janeiro subway, and payments are only accepted in cash.
9) Special Information
- The first subway car is pink and is exclusively for women and children during peak hours.
- Bicycles are permitted on the metro during the week after 21:00 and on weekends. They must be placed in the last car.
- Surfboards, if covered and measuring less than 2 meters, are allowed on weekends and holidays.
- Some stations of the Rio de Janeiro Metro are equipped with elevators and ramps among other accessibility options like Vertical Platform, Flat Touch, Braille information, etc. You can view all subway accessibility options here.
10) Special Services at Stations
All stations of the Rio de Janeiro Metro System offer the following services:
- Free Wi-Fi access.
- A network of stores across different sectors within the metro stations.
- Vending Machines for purchasing or recharging cards.
- 24-Hour Electronic Boxes for quick banking transactions (this service is not available at all stations).
- Public restrooms are available at Acari Fazenda Botafogo, Botafogo, Cantagalo, Carioca, Cidade Nova, Coelho Neto, Del Castilho, Estacio, General Osório, Pavuna, and Siqueira Campos stations.
What Interesting Places Can I Visit in Rio de Janeiro from the Metro?
- Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer): One of the Seven Wonders of the World, this iconic statue is a must-visit. Directions: From the Largo do Machado Station, take the bus to Cosme Velho, which stops in front of the São Judas Tadeu church. From this stop, take the Corcovado train to reach Christ the Redeemer. A truly memorable journey!
- Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain): A trip up to the Sugar Loaf Mountain via the Travia, a large cable car, offers an amazing city view. Directions: From the Botafogo Station, take bus 513 – Botafogo Urca, which goes to Pão de Açúcar.
- Sambódromo (Sambadrome): Especially during Carnival, the Sambadrome turns into a place of celebration and magic for both tourists and locals. Directions: From the Praça Onze Station, walk towards Avenida Marques de Sapucai.
- Ipanema Beach: One of the most popular beaches in Rio de Janeiro, it was the inspiration for the famous song “Girl from Ipanema” by Tom Jobim and also covered by Frank Sinatra. Directions: From the General Osório Station, walk towards Vieira Souto Avenue.
- Copacabana Beach: This famous beach attracts both tourists and Cariocas (locals). Directions: The beach is near Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos, and Cantagalo metro stations. You can reach Copacabana from any of these stations.
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Rio de Janeiro Metro Map
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
The Rio de Janeiro Metro is a public transportation system serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was established on March 5, 1979, and is currently the second most utilized subway system in Brazil, transporting over 780,000 daily passengers and exceeding 280 million annual passengers [[1]].
Rio de Janeiro Metro Overview
- The Rio de Janeiro Metro comprises 41 stations and 2 lines, covering a length of 57 km [[1]].
- It is operated by Rio Trilhos [[1]].
- The metro system does not operate 24 hours a day and has specific operating hours. It operates from 5:00 to 00:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 07:00 to 23:00 on Sundays and holidays [[1]].
- The fare for a journey on the Rio de Janeiro Metro is R$ 4.10 [[1]].
Interconnections and Airport Transfers
- The Orange and Green lines of the Rio de Janeiro Metro intersect at several stations, including Central, Presidente Vargas, Uruguaiana, Carioca, Cinelândia, Glória, Catete, Largo do Machado, Flamengo, and Botafogo [[1]].
- Transfers to the SuperVia train service can be made at Line 2 stations such as Central, São Cristóvão, Maracanã, Triagem, and Pavuna [[1]].
- To reach Galeao Airport, you can take the subway line 2 to the Vicente de Carvalho station and then transfer to one of the BRT (Rapid Transport Bus) lines [[1]].
- Santos Dumont Airport can be reached by taking the metro to the Cinelândia station and then transferring to the VLT (Light Rail Vehicle) [[1]].
Operating Hours, Fares, and Cards
- The Rio de Janeiro Metro operates from 5:00 to 00:00, Monday through Saturday, and from 7:00 to 23:00 on Sundays and holidays [[1]].
- Trains on Line 1 run every 4-7 minutes, and on Line 2, they run every 5-10 minutes [[1]].
- The standard fare for users is R$ 4.10 [[1]].
- There are different types of cards available for travel on the Rio de Janeiro Metro, including the MetrôRio Prepaid Card, Unitary Card, and “Metrô na Superfície” Card [[1]].
Special Information and Services
- The first subway car is exclusively for women and children during peak hours [[1]].
- Bicycles are permitted on the metro during specific hours [[1]].
- Some stations of the Rio de Janeiro Metro are equipped with elevators, ramps, and other accessibility options [[1]].
- All stations offer free Wi-Fi access, a network of stores, vending machines, and public restrooms [[1]].
Interesting Places to Visit in Rio de Janeiro from the Metro
- Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer): Take the metro to Largo do Machado Station and then take a bus to Cosme Velho. From there, take the Corcovado train to reach Christ the Redeemer [[1]].
- Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain): Take the metro to Botafogo Station and then take bus 513 – Botafogo Urca to reach Pão de Açúcar [[1]].
- Sambódromo (Sambadrome): Take the metro to Praça Onze Station and walk towards Avenida Marques de Sapucai to reach the Sambadrome [[1]].
- Ipanema Beach: Take the metro to General Osório Station and walk towards Vieira Souto Avenue to reach Ipanema Beach [[1]].
- Copacabana Beach: The beach is near Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos, and Cantagalo metro stations. You can reach Copacabana from any of these stations [[1]].
Please note that the information provided is based on search results and may be subject to change. For more detailed and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Rio de Janeiro Metro.
