In the Rio and Southeast region, internal travel is relatively easy thanks to a developed road network and several regional airports.
International access is via Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG) airport — daily direct flight from Paris CDG (11h, Air France, Latam), Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam. Return fares €700-1,500 by season. Secondary airport Rio Santos Dumont (SDU) in central Rio (domestic flights only, perfect for quick connections to São Paulo Congonhas in 1h, shuttle every 30 min). São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) alternative to Rio to enter the region (direct Paris flight 11h30, then 1h flight to Rio).
Cabo Frio airport (CFB), 30 min from Búzios, offers domestic flights from São Paulo (Latam, 1h, €100-200 return). No commercial airport at Paraty (private airfield only) — road access only.
From Rio to Búzios (200 km north-east): BR-101 then RJ-106 road, 2h30-3h transfer. Bus 1001 (Rio Novo Rio terminal → Búzios, 3h, 70-110 BRL ≈ €12-19, departures every 30 min). Private transfer 250-400 BRL (€42-68). Car rental €30-50/day (Hertz, Localiza, Movida at GIG).
From Rio to Paraty (250 km south-west): spectacular BR-101 road (Costa Verde, ocean on one side, Atlantic forest on the other), 4h transfer. Costa Verde bus (Rio Novo Rio terminal → Paraty, 4-5h, 80-130 BRL ≈ €14-22, 4-6 departures/day). Private transfer 300-500 BRL (€50-85). Possibility to integrate a stop at Angra dos Reis (1h from Paraty) for ferry to Ilha Grande (Abraão village, 50 min ferry, 30-50 BRL).
In Rio, urban travel revolves around the metro (lines 1, 2, 4 connecting Ipanema-Copacabana-Centro-Saens Peña, single ticket 7 BRL ≈ €1.2, safe and efficient by day), taxis (€4-15 per ride), Uber and 99 (often half taxi prices, reliable). Buses are numerous but avoid evening and centre (theft risk). The VLT (modern tram) serves the rehabilitated Centro (Porto Maravilha, Museu do Amanhã, Praça Mauá). No car rental useful in Rio (rare expensive parking, difficult urban driving).
In Búzios, easy walking in centre, local taxis or Uber (€5-15 per ride) for distant beaches (João Fernandes, Brava, Ferradura). In Paraty, the historic centre is entirely pedestrian — no traffic possible. To visit distant beaches (Trindade, Praia do Sono): taxi 20-40 BRL (€3.5-7), local bus 5-8 BRL, or water taxi from harbour (€15-30).
Read also
- Rio de Janeiro — Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, Santa Teresa — the Cidade Maravilhosa.
- Búzios — Chic beach resort, 23 beaches, relaxed but sophisticated vibe — Brazil's tropical Saint-Tropez.
- Paraty — Colonial village 1667 UNESCO-listed 2019, tropical bay, schooner excursion.
- Brazil — Complete country-continent guide: regions, formalities, best time, budget.