There are 9 ways to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro by plane, subway, bus, rideshare or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Cheapest option
Bus via Santos • 9h 57m
7 alternative options
Bus • 6h 10m
Rideshare • 5h 10m
Drive • 5h 3m
São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro by bus
The bus journey time between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro is around 6h 10m and covers a distance of around 442 km. Operated by Penha, the São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro bus service departs from Sao Paulo and arrives in Rio de Janeiro. Typically 581 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in Brazil
1m
Recommended
Travel within Brazil
Observe COVID-19 safety rules
COVID-19 help in Brazil
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 136
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, travel within Brazil is currently allowed.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- There is a social distancing requirement of 1 metre
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Rio de Janeiro is 136.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Rio de Janeiro is recommended.
The social distance requirement in Rio de Janeiro is 1 metre.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 136.
Last updated: 21 Mar 2023
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Governo Brasil.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro is to bus via Santos which costs R$ 75 - R$ 90 and takes 9h 57m.
The quickest way to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro is to fly which costs R$ 250 - R$ 1700 and takes 2h 32m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Sao Paulo and arriving at Rio de Janeiro. Services depart every 20 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 10m.
The distance between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro is 360 km. The road distance is 441.9 km.
The best way to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro without a car is to bus which takes 6h 10m and costs R$ 140 - R$ 180.
It takes approximately 2h 32m to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, including transfers.
São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro bus services, operated by Penha, depart from Sao Paulo station.
The best way to get from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro is to fly which takes 2h 32m and costs R$ 250 - R$ 1700. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs R$ 140 - R$ 180 and takes 6h 10m.
The quickest flight from Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport is the direct flight which takes 55 min.
São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro bus services, operated by Penha, arrive at Rio de Janeiro station.
- Distance: 360 km
- Duration: 2h 32m
What companies run services between São Paulo, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?
LATAM Chile, Gol Transportes Aéreos and Azul fly from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro every 30 minutes. Alternatively, Penha operates a bus from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro every 20 minutes. Tickets cost R$ 140 - R$ 180 and the journey takes 6h 10m.
- Website
- latam.com
Flights from Sao Paulo Congonhas to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 420 - R$ 2900
Flights from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 500 - R$ 2700
Flights from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro-Galeao
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 420 - R$ 2600
- Website
- voeazul.com.br
Flights from Sao Paulo Congonhas to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 550 - R$ 3100
Flights from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 440 - R$ 3400
Flights from Sao Paulo Viracopos to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 650 - R$ 3000
Flights from Sao Paulo Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro Jacarepagua
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 390 - R$ 2300
- Website
- voegol.com.br
Flights from Sao Paulo Congonhas to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 300 - R$ 2800
Flights from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 400 - R$ 2700
Flights from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro-Galeao
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 380 - R$ 2600
Flights from Sao Paulo Viracopos to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R$ 460 - R$ 2500
- Website
- metro.sp.gov.br
Subway from São Bento to Portuguesa-tietê
- Ave. Duration
- 7 min
- Frequency
- Every 5 minutes
- Estimated price
- R$ 5
- Schedules at
- metro.sp.gov.br
- Phone
- 08007269494
- superviafone@supervia.com.br
- Website
- supervia.com.br
Subway from Madureira to Central do Brasil
- Ave. Duration
- 33 min
- Frequency
- Every 5 minutes
- Estimated price
- R$ 4 - R$ 5
- Schedules at
- supervia.com.br
_(2).jpg)
- Phone
- +55 19 3733-5000
- sac@vbtransportes.com.br
- Website
- vbtransportes.com.br
Bus from São Paulo - Tietê to Aeroporto de Viracopos
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- R$ 37
- Book at
- vbtransportes.com.br
- Phone
- 0800 646 2122
- atendimento@nspenha.com.br
- Website
- nspenha.com.br
Bus from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- R$ 140 - R$ 180
- Semi-Leito
- R$ 110 - R$ 160
- Convencional
- R$ 140 - R$ 180
- Phone
- 0800-942-0030 / +55 4004-9600
- contato@viacaocometa.com.br
- Website
- viacaocometa.com.br
Bus from Sao Paulo to Santos Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- R$ 17 - R$ 35
- SemiLeito Premium
- R$ 65 - R$ 85
- Cama
- R$ 65 - R$ 95
- Convencional
- R$ 23 - R$ 35
- Executivo
- R$ 17 - R$ 24
- Phone
- 0800 886 1000 / 0800 883 8830
- faleconosco@util.com.br
- Website
- util.com.br
Bus from Santos Bus Station to Rio de Janeiro
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- R$ 58
- Shared
- R$ 58
Rome2rio's guide to BlaBlaCar Brazil
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from São Paulo to Rio De Janeiro
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- R$ 106
- Book at
- blablacar.com
Want to know more about travelling around Brazil
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro is 442 km. It takes approximately 5h 3m to drive from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro.
Azul, Gol Transportes Aéreos and LATAM Chile offer flights from Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport.
There are 691+ hotels available in Rio de Janeiro. Prices start at R$ 500 per night.
The best way to get from São Paulo to Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport is to bus which takes 31 min and costs R$ 5.