Christ the Redeemer, or Cristo Redentor in Portuguese, is one of the most iconic statues in the world and one of the official New Seven Wonders of the World!! If you’re planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, visiting Christ the Redeemer should be at the very top of your list (along with these 15 other best things to do in Rio!) and here is how to visit:
Quick facts
Unfortunately there isn’t any information (that we saw) to read at the top of the hill by Christ the Redeemer, so you will be limited to info from a tour guide (if you chose to take a tour), or the small amount of information at the ticket office/train station entrance.
Here are the highlights which we think are the most interesting:
- The statue was completed in 1931, making it the newest of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- The statue is 30m tall, the arm span is 28 metres wide & it weighs 635 tons!!
- The statue is built on the top of Corcovado mountain which has a summit of 704 metres, making the statue visible all over Rio
- There is actually a small chapel at the base of the statue, we saw a christening happening when we were there (being christened in Christ the Redeemer would be your awkward fun fact for life!)
How to get to Christ the Redeemer
Uber is the easiest way to get around Rio de Janeiro. It’s safe, it’s reliable & it’s cheap (compared to European prices). This is what we did for our entire time in Rio. From our accommodation in Copacabana it only cost R$20 (£2.80 / USD $3.70).
You can probably use public transport, but for efficiency & safety we took Ubers everywhere. If you really want to take public transport, google maps has a great ‘bus/metro’ section when you search for directions.
If you have a car in Rio, you can drive close by, but there aren’t any official carparks. It is best to use a taxi or public transport.
You might also like:
Train
The most popular way to get up Corcovado Mountain to see Christ the Redeemer, is by the scenic train. There is a railway which takes around 15-20 mins to reach the top, and will have you passing through the forest areas on the way up.
You should book your tickets in advance. This way you can choose your desired timeslot (starting from 7:20am). This is also good to book in advance because they have a maximum number of visitors allowed up in the trains. On national/religious holidays the tickets might also sell out quickly in advance.
We booked the first train of the day at 7:20am. The online booking says to arrive 30 mins before your train departure time and we arrived at about 7am. When we got there we saw that the first train was actually already leaving, so if you want to be one of the first up, we’d recommend arriving at about 6:45am to get on that first train.
The train cost includes the entry to see Christ the Redeemer, you don’t need an additional ticket.
💰 Cost: R$134 per person (£19 / USD $ 25)
🧭 Boarding location: Estação Cosme Velho
🎟️ Where to book your tickets: https://www.tremdocorcovado.rio/
Van
Your second option is to book the official van. The van drives up the private road to the top of Corcovado Mountain. You have a choice of 3 pick up points in Rio: Praça do Lido in Copacabana, Praça do Largo do Machado in Flamengo & the Paineiras Visitor Center before the van makes its way up the mountain.
If you choose the van ticket and board at the Paineiras Visitor Center the cost is only R$85 (£12 / US $16) which is a big saving compared to the train, if you’re working on a budget.
The cost for the pick up & drop off in the areas of Copacabana and Flamengo is R$130 (£18 / US $24).
The van is a good option for those on a budget if you select boarding at the visitor centre. It is also a good option if you want a hassle free pick up & drop off from Copacabana or Flamengo.
We chose to take the train as we wanted that experience, and it was a nice ride, but in hindsight we probably would have chosen the van and boarded at the visitors centre to save a bit of money.
💰 Cost Boarding at the Visitors Centre: R$80 per person R$85 (£12 / US $16)
💰 Cost Boarding in Copacabana or Flamengo: R$130 per person (£18 / US $24)
🧭 Boarding location: Paineiras Visitor Center or Praça do Lido in Copacabana / Praça do Largo do Machado in Flamengo
🎟️ Where to book your tickets: https://ingressos.paineirascorcovado.com.br/
Hiking
So you can hike to Christ the Redeemer, however in past years there have been reports of robberies on this route. Before you decide on this hike please:
1) read the newest reviews on google maps / AllTrails / read the latest reddit posts
2) check with the ranger at the trail head to make sure you’re not alone on the trail
3) only go if you are an experienced hiker
4) don’t take anything valuable with you
5) where possible don’t hike solo
Hike information:
The hike starts in Parque Lage and takes around 2 hours to reach Christ the Redeemer. You still have to pay entrance to get up onto the platform with the rest of the crowds. The guards on the trail stop letting people start the trail around 3pm so make sure you arrive before this time. Other reviews say you can’t start the trail before 8am either.
The park closes at 6pm so make sure you’re back in Parque Lage before this.
According to reviews the final part of the hike involves more of a climb with handles in the rock face and chains which might be a bit more difficult for inexperienced hikers.
When you reach the top you will need to pay an entrance fee. As of October 2025 the cost is R$58 (£8 / US $11).
After the first small car park you reach, turn left up the stairs to get your tickets to access the statue. Do not follow the road, as you will be sent back to get your ticket.
Private Tour
It is possible to book a private tour to see Christ the Redeemer, but this in no way means you will be on the platform alone with your group. The crowds at the top will be here regardless of your tickets/tour you pick.
A private tour should however include a guide & or visits to other nearby attractions. If you are in Rio for a short time, it might be a good idea to join a tour that goes to multiple places in one day, with a guide & transport included.
Tickets
To obtain entrance to the platform of Christ the Redeemer you will need to purchase a ticket. For those taking the train or the van, you’re ticket is included in the transport cost. The ticket prices will range depending on what method of transport you take up.
As of early 2026:
Train: R$134 per person (£19 / USD $ 25)
Van: R$85 – R$130 per person (£12 – £18 / US $16 – US $24)
Hike: R$58 (£8 / US $11)
If you are booking the train or a van it is best to do this ahead of time to get your desired timeslot.
Entry Information
The first train heads up the mountain at around 7am and the site closes at 7pm daily.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit in our opinion is either:
- First thing in the morning by getting the first train or van up, or
- In the later afternoon for sunset/golden hour
And of course where possible try to go on a day with good weather. We know people who have gone up on extremely cloudy days and had to wait 1hour to see 20 seconds of Christ the Redeemer. The rest of the time he was hidden behind clouds.
We went on a sunny day and there were still plenty of times you couldn’t see him at all because of the clouds.
Tips for Visiting
- Arrive early for your train slot
- Book your tickets in advance to secure your chosen time
- Choose the sunniest day according to local weather
- Expect crowds, this way you won’t be quite so disappointed that you’re sharing this moment with 1000’s of other people
- Take the train for a scenic trip up and down
- Take the van if you are on a budget (pick it up from the visitors centre)
- If you have cloud cover try to wait until the clouds disperse
- The queue for the elevators at the top of the monument might have a long line, if you are able, take the stairs
Is there a dress code?
No there is no dress code at all. You will see people visiting in all sorts of clothes including some people really dressed up for the occasion!
If you are there on a really sunny day, consider a hat or light long sleeves for sun protection. Check the expected UV levels before your trip.
How can I avoid the crowds at Christ the Redeemer?
Unfortunately I don’t think you can… We attempted to get the first train up, arriving at 7am and there were already loads of people already up there!
We are still glad we got this time train as within 20 minutes of being up there it almost became too much with too many people trying to get the perfect picture!
Do I need to book my tickets in advance?
If you are looking for a specific van or train time, we would definitely recommend booking your tickets in advance. You can do this on either of the official ticket pages:
Transport tickets include the entry to see Christ the Redeemer
Other Nearby Attractions
After (or before) seeing Christ the Redeemer, there are a few things you can do close by, however none of these things are in walking distance, so we would recommend you take an uber/taxi or public transport:
Tijuca National Park: An urban rainforest in the heart of Rio de Janeiro with scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning city views from viewpoints (free)
Santa Teresa: An artsy hillside neighbourhood with colourful colonial houses, art studios, and cobblestone streets overlooking downtown Rio (free)
Parque Lage: A serene park known for its romantic gardens, historic mansion, and views of Christ the Redeemer (free)
Botanical Gardens: A beautiful garden with thousands of plant species from around the world, including towering palm tree lined avenues and orchid houses (entrance cost R$80 / £11 / US $15)
For the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, check out our top 16 list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Just a heads up - some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. This means we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the site and keep more blog posts coming your way. Thanks for your support!
Comments
If you'd like to chat directly, pop us an email at hello@lawsoftravel.com or drop a comment below and we'll reply as soon as we can!