Bus: Sao Paulo (tiete) to Rio De Janeiro (novo Rio)

Traveling from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro by bus is quite simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Use the search box to type the necessary details: to-from locations, departing date and optionally also the return date if you want to buy a return ticket. Hit the SEARCH BUS TICKETS button.


2. Choose your ticket(s) from the search results. There are a lot of journey options so use the filters to adjust the time of departure or arrival or select your preferred bus company. Please note there are two bus stations in São Paulo that will appear in there. If you want to start from the international airport and proximities, choose São Paulo – Guarulhos. Otherwise choose São Paulo – Tietê to embark in the city centre


3. Class: The price of your ticket will depend on the class you choose. Here is some information on the seat types:
   Conventional (Port. Convencional) is a standard long distance bus seat that reclines.
   Executive (Executivo) and Golden (Semi-Leito) offer a seat that reclines more, with more legroom; there is always a restroom, air conditioning, a sound system, and there is more space between the seats.
   Bed (Leito) is a seat that reclines almost fully, like a bed, so that you can sleep during the trip. The seats have a leg rest, are extra wide and there is over a lot of space between the seats.
   Gtv 1.cls is a first class seat on a Gran Turismo Vehicle bus. Theywere designed to have seating similar to a long distance airplane. The first class of this bus is located on the lower deck. There is a leg rest, the seats are almost fully reclining, ample legroom and personal space and all personal comfort and gadgets you would expect on an airplane.
   If you choose to travel between the capitals on an overnight trip, the Bed or Gtv 1.cls is your best bet so that you can sleep comfortable. However, as the journey takes 6 hours, during the day the Conventional or Executive seating should be comfortable enough.


4. Passenger Details: Once you select your seats you will be taken to the Passenger Details screen. Your passport is the best form of ID to use to fill out this section. RG is a Brazilian ID, RNE is a foreigner’s Brazilian ID, Passport is for all other foreigners and Other is for those without a passport. To avoid confusion, as a foreigner, it is best to use your passport. But, if you have another type of ID to use, it should work fine. You may choose more than one seat by repeating this process.


5. Choose your payment method: you can pay for your tickets using a credit card – for this option select “regular checkout” or you can pay by PayPal and receive a 5% discount.

Preparing for the journey:

Once your ticket is purchased, print the receipt and take it with you to the São Paulo bus station on the day of travel. This will help you at the ticket counter. If you show up without it, your ID will be enough to claim your ticket but if you don’t speak Portuguese the printout will speak for you.

Bear in mind Brazilian buses have frigid air-conditioning, so even if it’s 40°C outside take a sweater or similar garment in your carry-on luggage. You will get a blanket in the overnight bed buses, but it may not be sufficient. Don’t expect a full meal served on board, but for the bed seats you will get some snacks and a drink, and there should be a stopover at a roadside café.

On the São Paulo – Tietê / São Paulo - Guarulhos bus terminal:

Bus Station:

General bus station information for São Paulo is listed below. Remember that it is good to give yourself about an hour to pick up your ticket and get to your departing bus platform. Google Maps is a good way to look up directions from where you are staying in São Paulo to the bus station.

Guarulhos Station

The Guarulhos bus station address is Alameda dos Lírios, SP, Brazil. Phone: (11) 2403-5861. The international airport of São Paulo – Cumbica lies nearby. A muncipal bus will take you between these locations in about 20 minutes.

Tiete Station

Address: Avenida Cruzeiro do Sul, 1800, Santana, Sao Paulo, SP. Phone (11) 3866-1100. Tietê is São Paulo´s biggest terminal with a shopping centre located on its side. It is also connected to the city´s metro system.

Pay attention to the bus company you opted for: 

Pay attention to the bus company that operates this connection because when you arrive at your station you will need to pick up your ticket at that company’s ticket counter. The logos for the bus companies are what to look for above the ticket windows.

Útil is the company operating the connection from the Guarulhos station.

Expresso do Sul, 1001, Kaissara and Expresso Brasileiro are the bus companies that connect São Paulo-Tietê and Rio Novo bus terminal in Rio de Janeiro.

Show your Id and the attendant will give you your ticket. A printout of your Brazilbustravel.com ticket information will be helpful as well.

After you get your ticket:

go to where the buses depart. Look for the sign that has Embarque Plataforma written on it. Your platform number (Plataforma) is on your ticket.

Baggage:

If you have a large suitcase or other item, you will go around and wait in the line at the side of the bus before you board. There should be an attendant loading bags into the side of the bus. He will give you a ticket stub and load your bag for you. You will give this stub back to the attendant when you retrieve your luggage at the end of the trip. Once you board the bus, there is room above the seat to store any carry-on luggage.

Boarding:

You need two things to get on board the bus; your ID and a little paper slip that comes with your ticket. You will actually receive two little paper slips to fill out when you are handed your ticket. One of them is for insurance purposes. It can be filled out during the trip and it stays with you. It will have the word Seguro on it, which means Insurance. The other paper is to be filled out before boarding and handed to the driver as you present your ID.

Your Seat:

The word for seat in Portuguese is Poltrona. You will want to match the number in that Poltrona box of your ticket to the seat numbers on the bus. If you have trouble finding your seat, just ask around and someone will help you. Brazilians are usually very helpful and kind.

Rest Stops:

Along the way, your bus may stop at roadside cafes or little shopping areas. Feel free to leave the bus and walk around to stretch your legs. Just don’t stray too far and tell the driver if you go to buy something so that they know to wait for you.

In Rio de Janeiro

Arrival:

When you arrive at your destination, simply gather your belongings and proceed to the side of the bus to reclaim you baggage, if you had it stored away. Hand the attendant your baggage ticket stub and reclaim you items.

Arrival bus terminals:

Rio de Janeiro Station - Novo Rio terminal
The Rio bus station address to put into Google Maps is Ave. Francisco Bicalho, 01, Santo Cristo, RJ Phone: (21) 3213-1800. Novo Rio is a large terminal with all the necessary facilities, located in the city centre. The terminal is connected with the VLT (light rail system). To reach touristic hotspots like Copacabana or Ipanema, take the VLT to Carioca station and switch to the Metro line.

We reckon there is little point in naming Rio´s wonders – you probably know all of them already! Two personal tips, then: if you plan to experience Carnaval – avoid the famous Sambódromo! Local people are feasting on the streets, away from the rather cliché glamour of Sapucaí. Check for local street carnival parades. The second applies for any part of the year: once you are tired of the more crowded beaches in Zona Sul, go to Prainha, on the westernmost tip of Barra da Tijuca. It´s a ride, but really worth it…