How to get around using Buses in Brazil

We spent 6 weeks in the South of Brazil in: Rio, Ilha Grande, Paraty, São Paulo, Curitiba, Florianópolis & Iguacu and we never took a flight – so I feel pretty confident that we have worked out how to use buses efficiently and effectively in Brazil, which is exactly why we have written this guide on how to get around by Bus in Brazil.

The buses in Brazil aren’t dirt cheap, but they’re not crazy expensive either. In general they are less than their flight counterparts – but it’s always good to check beforehand just in case you can get a good deal, and save 16 hours of an overnight bus journey! 

This guide is ideal for backpackers, slow travellers, digital nomads, and anyone travelling Brazil without renting a car or flying.

Hopefully this guide will give you a bit of explanation on the buses in Brazil, how to book them, as well as our best tips and recommendations. 

First things first:

Booking in advance vs in person 

Now, we all know that booking directly with the bus company (whether online or in person at the bus station) normally gives you the best price. Some bus companies in Brazil have online ticketing options, however you usually need a Brazilian CPF number to complete your transaction. Unless you are residing in Brazil you won’t be able to get one of these numbers and because of this you won’t be able to book your tickets directly online with the bus company. 

Third party platforms like Busbud avoid the issue of needing a CPF.

Booking in person

If you still want to book directly with the bus company, you can absolutely wait until you are in the city/town to book your tickets at the counter for your day of departure. 

We did this a few times, and bought the tickets for our departure as soon as we arrived in the city. Buying your departure tickets as soon as you arrive (as long as you know when you plan to leave) means you don’t have to travel back to the bus station until you leave. It’s a great way to secure your tickets a few days in advance for the best price.

To help with this, you should either have a bit of Portuguese language under your belt, or be prepared to go back and forth on a translation app to get it sorted. 

In large cities in Brazil you will find that a lot of different bus companies offer the same routes – so using comparison websites like Busbud to look for the bus time tables as well as the bus companies that drive on that route can be a great help for planning, or knowing roughly that a bus from X company should leave at 3pm for example

Busbud (advance bookings)

Busbud is a third party bus ticket seller. It is legitimate and is really helpful when planning your travel around Brazil – even if you just use it to check the timetables. 

We used it about 75% of the time to book our inter-city buses in advance (the other 25% we booked in person at the bus station).

The reason we booked in advance for most of our trips is 1) because we like to be organised and 2) we love the front seats on the top deck of the buses. Most of the buses we got in Brazil are double deckers and we love the views. 

Most of the buses on busbud in Brazil have the option to pick your seats, showing you how many seats have been taken already and whether the bus is a single or double-decker. 

Busbud does take a small commission on the price you pay, but when a 6 hour bus only costs £10 you can’t really complain for the ease of booking it advance and not having to fumble through broken Portuguese to purchase your ticket!

Another great benefit of picking your seat for overnight buses, means you can

1) choose a full reclining seat (or semi-recline) and

2) you can position yourself as close or far away from the toilet as you need.

Checking bus timetables

For popular inter-city routes you will be able to find all the timetables on busbud. We found the timetables super reliable and it was great to see how many buses departed per day.

The timetables online only work for certain bus companies. Smaller companies which service smaller towns might not be on busbud, so it’s best to visit the bus terminals/stops in person.

If a town doesn’t have a bus terminal, it’s likely that you will pay for the ticket on the bus directly. Make sure you have cash for this. We found google maps reviews great for up to date info on bus times for towns without terminals. 

Where to buy tickets in person

Bus stations in Brazil can be pretty big, especially in Rio and São Paulo. In places with bus terminals you need to buy your ticket from the bus company’s kiosk, rather than onboard the bus. 

Usually it is reasonably clear as to where the kiosks are – they are usually all together and have the bus company in big letters above a window.

You can check with bus companies service your bus route by using busbud beforehand, or by going to any counter and asking them to point you in the direction of buses going to X.

It is good to arrive with an idea of which company you want to use and the time you want, however it is always worth asking around to get the best price.

Payment methods

If you are buying your tickets online, card payment will be your only option.

In most major bus stations, most kiosks accept credit & debit cards as well as cash.

Onboard payments (on smaller bus routes) will be cash only.

Tips for which seat to book

Our go to seats are always on the top deck and as far forward as you can get. The front seats on the 2nd floor are best for the views of the drive and also mean that fewer people are constantly walking past you to get off or go to the toilet.

The toilet should be marked on the bus seating plan on busbud so if you use the toilet regularly and want to sit close by (or want to sit as far away as possible) you can check here. 

Types of buses & seat classes

Brazilian buses are pretty premium, and even better than a lot we get in the UK. On many double decker buses, semi-reclining seats are on the top deck and full reclining seats on the bottom deck:

What to look out for

Semi-Leito: large reclining seats – normally standard

Leito: almost fully flat bed – more expensive but great for overnight buses

Luggage

Each bus company will have slightly different conditions for how much luggage you are allowed to take on, but usually it’s 1 piece of hold luggage (23kg) and hand luggage (maybe there are maximums but they never check).

9 out of 10 times your luggage will be tagged and you will be given a ticket with the corresponding number. You will need to hand this over when collecting your luggage from the hold.

Ticket

You will need to show your ticket & seat number before being allowed to put luggage in the hold of the bus.

Tipping

Sometimes the staff who load and unload your bags will ask for tips – carry a small amount of change for this. 

What to put in the hold

Put your main luggage in the hold. There will not be enough space for you to bring all of your luggage to your seat. You will have a small amount of space in front of your seat and some space above your seat.

What to keep on you on the bus

Bring your small bags as well as valuables such as electronics, passports, important documentation on board. Also bring some layers as the air con is cold! – more on that below

Safety & Security

Bus travel in Brazil is considered to be safe and well regulated. 

Night buses are very common due to the size of the country and in most cases the bus will be 90% locals and 10% tourists. If you are ever unsure about something ask a friendly local.

That being said, the usual precautions should be taken as in any country you go to:

• Always put a lock on your luggage going in the hold. 
• If you are putting a large backpack in the hold, we recommend using backpack covers – to keep your bags safe & clean
• Keep your valuables on you – electricals, expensive items, important documents, money etc
• If you are storing luggage above you on the bus, consider putting it above you on the other side of the bus, this way you will always be able to see it. 

Bus etiquette

• People stick to their seats – only sit in your assigned seat. If someone is in your seat, show them your ticket politely 
• If you are listening to music or on your phone, use headphones 
• After dark on an overnight bus, keep noise to a minimum 
• You can eat & drink on Brazilian buses
• Arrive 15 minutes before departure to ensure the bus can leave on time

Will my bus stop during the route?

Usually yes, if the route is long enough. Normally the driver comes onto the bus and tells everyone what time the expected stop will be (usually for lunch or dinner). This will all be in Portuguese, so have your translator app ready. If you miss the announcement, you can check with another passenger or check before you board.

On long routes, as well as the stops for other passengers to embark and disembark, you will stop at a roadside service station. This happened on all of our journeys over 6 hours.

The service stations will have free toilets for you to use. They will also have some kind of food option – and normally this is an epic buffet! 

We were so shocked the first time we went into one – they have so much fresh food on offer. From salads to main meals, to bakery options, sushi, ice cream, coffees, food stations etc! When you enter you will need to take a plastic card which has a barcode. You then select the food you want, head to the attendant who will log your meal on your card. You then pay the balance of your card when you leave the service station.

What to show when boarding your bus

For the majority of buses in Brazil, you will need to show your ticket & your ID (usually your passport). If you are buying your tickets in person from a kiosk, they will likely need your passport to note down your name and your passport number. The driver/attendant will then check this before you board.

What to bring onto the bus

1. Water – there will usually be a toilet, and if not stops along the way for toilets, so don’t dehydrate yourself!
2. Bring your hand luggage. Don’t leave small bags in the hold. They’ll most likely get squashed & it’s best to keep a bag with your valuables on you
3. Snacks – you can bring food & drink onto buses in Brazil
4. Layers – buses in Brazil are COLD! No matter the weather outside, the aircon will most likely be on full blast. Wear light clothes in case for some reason this isn’t the case, and then pack layers and long trousers in your hand luggage to get cosy.
5. Eyemasks & earplugs – essentials for any overnight bus 

How to save money on buses in Brazil

• Buy your tickets in person for the best price (avoiding any 3rd party fees)
• Take your own food on board. The service stations are amazing but always more expensive than a supermarket or making your own food in advance
• Use the toilet on the bus rather than in the bus terminals (sometimes you have to pay for the toilets in the terminals)

Popular bus routes in South Brazil 

Click the links below for the timetables and to book your tickets in advance

Rio ↔ São Paulo: 6-7 hours

Rio ↔ Paraty: 4-5 hours

Curitiba ↔ Florianópolis: 5-6 hours

São Paulo ↔ Foz do Iguaçu: 16-18 hours (overnight)

If you are looking for some help in planning your south Brazil trip, why not check out our other Brazil posts to help give you some ideas on where to go, why to go there and how to get there (by bus, using all the tips above!)

We also have a fully customisable South Brazil itinerary which you can tailor to your exact trip wants!

Other Brazil Articles