The Rio de Janeiro Metro, commonly called Metrô Rio, is the rapid transit system serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It opened on March 5, 1979, with five stations on one line and now covers 58 kilometers, or about 36 miles, with 41 stations. Although the network is formally divided into three lines, Lines 1 and 4 run as one through service, so daily travel works more like a two-line system: Line 1/4 from Uruguai / Tijuca to Jardim Oceânico / Barra da Tijuca, and Line 2 from Pavuna to Botafogo.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| System name | Rio de Janeiro Metro, also known as Metrô Rio |
| City | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Opened | March 5, 1979 |
| Network size | 58 km, about 36 miles |
| Stations | 41 stations |
| Main route pattern | Line 1/4 runs from Uruguai / Tijuca to Jardim Oceânico / Barra da Tijuca; Line 2 runs from Pavuna to Botafogo |
| Shared section | Lines 1/4 and 2 share track between Central do Brasil / Centro and Botafogo, covering 10 stations and about 5 km, or 3.1 miles |
| Operator | Metrô Rio |
| Expansion responsibility | State Government through Rio Trilhos |
Rio de Janeiro Metro Map
Map of Rio de Janeiro Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Rio de Janeiro Metro map in PDF format.
Rio de Janeiro Metro Lines and Stations
The Rio de Janeiro Metro route is easy to understand once you know how the lines operate. Line 1/4 links Tijuca, the city center, the South Zone, and the eastern side of Barra da Tijuca. It is almost fully underground. Line 2 serves North Zone neighborhoods, the city center, and part of the South Zone; outside the shared section, it is mostly above ground.
For planning, treat the stations list below as a simple stations map in text form. It shows the main path train riders follow on each line and highlights useful details for transfers and station layout.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Uruguai / Tijuca | Line 1/4 terminal in Tijuca |
| Saens Peña / Tijuca | Line 1/4; three tracks and two island platforms |
| São Francisco Xavier / Tijuca | Line 1/4 |
| Afonso Pena / Tijuca | Line 1/4 |
| Estácio | Line 1/4; uses the Spanish solution |
| Praça Onze | Line 1/4 |
| Central do Brasil / Centro | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2; major interchange with suburban rail, buses, the Providência Cable Car, and light rail |
| Saara / Presidente Vargas | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Uruguaiana / Centro | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Carioca / Centro | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2; light rail transfers and Santa Teresa Tram access nearby |
| Cinelândia / Centro | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2; light rail transfers |
| Glória | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Catete | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Largo do Machado | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Flamengo | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2 |
| Botafogo | Shared by Lines 1/4 and 2; uses the Spanish solution |
| Cardeal Arcoverde / Copacabana | Line 1/4 |
| Siqueira Campos / Copacabana | Line 1/4 |
| Cantagalo / Copacabana | Line 1/4 |
| General Osório / Ipanema | Line 1/4; uses the Spanish solution |
| Nossa Senhora da Paz / Ipanema | Line 1/4 |
| Jardim de Alah / Leblon | Line 1/4 |
| Antero de Quental / Leblon | Line 1/4 |
| São Conrado | Line 1/4 |
| Jardim Oceânico / Barra da Tijuca | Line 1/4 terminal; connection to TransOeste BRT |
| Pavuna | Line 2 terminal; transfer to the Belford Roxo Line |
| Engenheiro Rubens Paiva | Line 2 |
| Acari/Fazenda Botafogo | Line 2; near TransBrasil BRT |
| Coelho Neto | Line 2 |
| Colégio | Line 2 |
| Irajá | Line 2 |
| Vicente de Carvalho | Line 2; connection to TransCarioca BRT |
| Thomaz Coelho | Line 2 |
| Engenho da Rainha | Line 2 |
| Inhaúma | Line 2 |
| Del Castilho | Line 2 |
| Maria da Graça | Line 2 |
| Triagem | Line 2; connection with the Belford Roxo and Saracuruna suburban rail lines |
| Maracanã | Line 2; suburban rail connection; three tracks and two island platforms |
| São Cristóvão | Line 2; suburban rail connection |
| Cidade Nova | Line 2 |
Every metro station has a mezzanine. Buses serve all stations on the metro system, which makes the network a practical base for local transport and city transport connections.
- Line 1/4 and Line 2 through-run between Central do Brasil / Centro and Botafogo.
- Central do Brasil / Centro, São Cristóvão, Maracanã, Triagem, and Pavuna connect with suburban rail.
- Central do Brasil / Centro, Carioca / Centro, and Cinelândia / Centro connect with the Rio de Janeiro Light Rail.
- Vicente de Carvalho connects to TransCarioca BRT, and Jardim Oceânico / Barra da Tijuca connects to TransOeste BRT.
- Carioca / Centro is also linked with the Santa Teresa Tram, part of the city’s historic tramway network.
Timetable & Operating Hours
Rio de Janeiro Metro operating hours depend on the line and day. Most services run from early morning until midnight from Monday to Saturday, with shorter opening hours on Sundays and holidays. During major events such as Carnival, Réveillon, and football matches, the schedule may change, and some services may run longer than usual.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Line 1 opening times, Uruguai to Botafogo | Monday to Saturday: 05:00 to 24:00; Sunday and holidays: 07:00 to 23:00 |
| Line 2 working hours, Pavuna to Botafogo | Monday to Saturday: 05:00 to 24:00; Sunday and holidays: 07:00 to 23:00 |
| Line 4 route timetable, General Osório to Jardim Oceânico | Daily: 06:00 to 23:00 |
| Starting time | 05:00 on Lines 1 and 2 from Monday to Saturday; 06:00 on Line 4 daily; 07:00 on Lines 1 and 2 on Sundays and holidays |
| Closing time and last train planning | Service normally closes at 24:00 on Lines 1 and 2 from Monday to Saturday, 23:00 on Sundays and holidays, and 23:00 on Line 4 |
| Special event timings today | Opening hours may be extended during Carnival, Réveillon, and football matches |
| Frequency and running time | The available timetable details give operating hours but do not provide current train frequency or end-to-end running time |
Before you travel, check the schedule today if your trip is late at night, on a holiday, or connected to a large event. The last train can be especially important if you plan to close the evening in the South Zone or city center.
Rio de Janeiro Metro Fares
The Rio de Janeiro Metro uses a flat fare system, so the ticket price does not change by distance or travel time. As of January 2026, a single metro ticket costs R$7.90, about US$1.60. The fare is expected to rise to R$8.20, about US$1.65, in April 2026. Because the price is flat, a fare calculator is not needed for metro-only trips.
There is no day pass or weekly pass. A single fare can be bought at stations, and riders can also enter through turnstiles with a Visa card, Mastercard card, or a mobile phone that supports NFC proximity payment.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Single metro fare | R$7.90, about US$1.60, as of January 2026 |
| Expected fare change | R$8.20, about US$1.65, in April 2026 |
| Pass options | No day pass or weekly pass is listed |
| Contactless ticket payment | Visa, Mastercard, and NFC mobile payment are accepted at turnstiles |
| MetrôRio card | Available as a single multi-modal trip card or reloadable fare card |
| MetrôRio card transfer rule | A single trip fare can include a Metro and Subway Bus transfer, but the trip has a 2-hour total time limit |
| GIRO card starting cost | R$7.90 fare plus R$4.00 refundable deposit, total R$11.90, about US$2.40 |
| GIRO card maximum balance | Up to R$500, about US$100 |
The GIRO card can be bought and topped up at MetroRio ticket offices, automated vending machines, or through the GIRO app. It works on the Metro, MetrôRio buses, and Bike Rio rentals. If you keep a large balance on it, registering the card is a smart move in case it is lost or stolen.
RioCard is used across the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area and can be bought or recharged at manned counters, ticket machines, and through the RioCard app. Jaé is used in Rio de Janeiro City and also supports fare integration.
As of January 2026, the Bilhete Único Intermunicipal benefit lowers the metro fare to R$5, about US$1.00, for eligible users. Selected integrations are available with Metro + BRT, Metro + intramunicipal bus, Metro + suburban rail, Metro + ferry, and Metro + intermunicipal bus, depending on the route and transfer point. For Metro + ferry, one listed integrated fare is R$9.40, about US$1.90, with RioCard under the Bilhete Único Intermunicipal benefit; another listed subway plus ferry fare with RioCard is R$8.55, about US$1.70.
Fare integrations cannot be chained. For example, if someone takes BRT, then the Metro, then a ferry, the ferry is charged at the full fare. Public school students, people older than 65, disabled people, and people with chronic illnesses receiving treatment through the Sistema Único de Saúde may apply for free travel passes under the rules described for those groups.
Connections to Other Systems
The Rio de Janeiro Metro is closely tied to public transport across the city. Central do Brasil / Centro is the main interchange, linking the metro with suburban rail, local bus services, the Providência Cable Car, and the Rio de Janeiro Light Rail. This makes it one of the most useful stations for transportation in Rio de Janeiro.
Several other stations provide direct or easy transfers. São Cristóvão, Maracanã, Triagem, and Pavuna connect with suburban rail. Some links involve short walks between nearby stations, including Thomaz Coelho and Tomás Coelho, and Del Castilho stations on different systems.
The metro connects with light rail at Central do Brasil / Centro, Carioca / Centro, and Cinelândia / Centro. Bus connections are available throughout the system, with major local bus points at Central do Brasil / Centro and Carioca / Centro. Vicente de Carvalho links with TransCarioca BRT, Jardim Oceânico / Barra da Tijuca links with TransOeste BRT, and Acari/Fazenda Botafogo is near TransBrasil BRT, although that transfer does not include a fare discount.
Other useful links include ferries from Praça XV near Carioca / Centro and the Santa Teresa Tram at Carioca / Centro. Glória Station is close to the Outeiro da Glória inclined elevator, while General Osório / Ipanema is near the Cantagalo-Pavão-Pavãozinho inclined elevator.
Airport Connections
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, also known as Galeão International Airport or GIG, is connected to the city by taxi, private transfer, metro, and bus. The metro and bus are usually the cheapest transport options, but neither is direct, so you need to combine services to reach the city center.
For public transport, airport bus stops are on Level 1 at the west end of the shuttle island. Follow the signs for the bus you want. If you are continuing by metro, take the BRT TransCarioca line to Vicente de Carvalho Station, then transfer to Metro Line 2.
Another bus-based option is to take the BRT TransCarioca line and connect to bus 329. Taxi and private transfer are more comfortable for door-to-door travel, while metro and bus suit travelers who want to keep the cost down.
Parking near the Metro
If you are looking for station parking near the Metro in Botafogo, the area around Estacionamento City Parking Botafogo is served by bus, metro, and a nearby funicular connection. The nearest metro station listed is Cardeal Arcoverde, about a 10-minute walk away. Parking charges and parking charges per day are not included in the available details, so confirm the current cost before leaving your car.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Rua Mena Barreto, 8 | Nearest bus stop; about a 4-minute walk |
| BRS 1 I – Dezenove De Fevereiro | Nearby bus stop within a short walk |
| Ponto Final – Botafogo (Integração Com Metrô) | Nearby bus stop |
| BRS 2 3 – Paulino Fernandes | Nearby bus stop |
| Metrô Botafogo (Acesso À Ccjp – Unirio) | Nearby bus stop |
| Cardeal Arcoverde | Nearest metro station; about a 10-minute walk |
| Estação 2 | Nearest funicular station; about a 22-minute walk |
Bus lines listed for the area include 410, 432, 457, 483, and 740D. Metro lines listed nearby are L1, L4, and L2. The first metro service listed is L2 at 5:00 AM, and the last metro service listed is also L2 at 12:51 AM. For buses, the first listed service is SN 309 at 3:01 AM, and the last bus is 309 at 3:21 AM.
The DONA MARTA funicular is also listed for the area. In practice, this part of Botafogo works well if you want to park once, walk a short distance, and continue by metro or bus.
Rio de Janeiro Metro Rules and Tips
Rio de Janeiro public transport can save a lot of time in a city known for heavy traffic. The metro is generally clean, reliable, and safe, and it is often simpler than buses because the route plan is clear and you can check your stop before boarding.
CENTRAL means Central do Brasil, the major hub where trains, subway services, buses, and light rail meet. CENTRO means the downtown district.
RioCard+Mais is a prepaid card accepted on public transport systems. The pink RioCard+Mais/Expresso card is the one described for broad transit use. It can be bought at self-service terminals in major metro stations or VLT stations. The card costs R$4, about US$0.80, plus whatever amount you load for rides. You can pay with cash notes or a debit or credit card, then use the same machines later to add more money.
Be careful in metro station machines: choose the pink RioCard+Mais card that says expresso at the bottom if you want that product. The purple GIRO card works for the subway system and related MetrôRio uses, but it is not the same as RioCard+Mais.
- Check the map and identify both your station and the terminal station for the direction you need.
- Follow platform signs before boarding; this is the easiest way to stay on the correct path train riders use for that route.
- Stay aware of your stop, especially on the shared section between Central do Brasil / Centro and Botafogo.
- When you exit, follow signs marked Saída.
Women-only cars operate during peak rush hour on weekdays. They are pink and clearly marked, with enforcement from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The VLT light rail is wheelchair accessible, but each rider needs their own card because fares are validated individually. SuperVia trains connect Central with neighborhoods in the north and west zones and with Baixada Fluminense. Take extra care when boarding or exiting, as the gap between train and platform can be large.
For safety and comfort, keep belongings close in crowded stations and avoid standing by train doors, where bags can be snatched as doors close. Travel light when you can, keep your phone secure, and stay alert in busy areas.
One easy point of confusion: Metrô na Superfície means bus service, not trains.
History
In the mid-20th century, Rio de Janeiro was Brazil’s largest city and was growing quickly because of industrialization and migration from the Northeast. At the same time, the rise of the Brazilian car industry added more vehicles to streets already crowded with streetcars, buses, and suburban railways.
By the early 1960s, congestion, pollution, and overcrowded public transport had become major problems. After the streetcar network was dismantled in 1964, the local government moved toward building a metro system.
The Companhia do Metropolitano do Rio de Janeiro was created on December 14, 1968. Construction began on June 23, 1970, in Praça Paris using the cut-and-cover method, then paused from 1971 to 1974 because of funding problems. The metro opened on March 5, 1979, with five Line 1 stations: Praça Onze, Central, Presidente Vargas, Cinelândia, and Glória.
Initial services ran from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In the first 10 days, the system carried more than half a million passengers, averaging about 60,000 passengers per day. The early train schedule used only four four-car trains, with an average interval of eight minutes.
Expansion came quickly. Uruguaiana and Estácio opened in 1980, Carioca opened in 1981, and Catete, Largo do Machado, Morro Azul, now Flamengo, and Botafogo followed. In 1982, the metro reached Tijuca with Afonso Pena, São Francisco Xavier, and Saens Peña.
Line 2 opened from Estácio to Maracanã via São Cristóvão in 1981. It later expanded toward Maria da Graça, Irajá, Del Castilho, and Inhaúma, using parts of an abandoned railway alignment. After a burst pipeline closed the pre-metro section in 1985, it was partly rebuilt as grade-separated metro and reopened in 1987 as a Line 2 extension.
Triagem opened in 1988, Engenho da Rainha in 1991, and Thomaz Coelho and Vicente de Carvalho in 1996. Since 1997, the metro has operated 24/7 during Carnaval. That same year, system management was privatized under the Metrô Rio brand, while the state kept responsibility for expansion and new rolling stock through Rio Trilhos.
Line 1 reached Copacabana in 1998 with Cardeal Arcoverde. Line 2 also extended to Pavuna that year. Siqueira Campos opened in 2002, Sunday operation began in 2004, and Cantagalo opened in 2007. The concession was renewed in late 2007, with commitments including new trains and a track connection for Line 1 and Line 2 interlining.
General Osório opened in 2009, the São Cristóvão–Central connection opened the same year, and Cidade Nova opened in 2010. New CNR trains, later tied to CRRC through merger, entered service between 2012 and 2013. Uruguai station opened in 2014, extending Line 1 farther into Tijuca.
Line 4 was completed in 2016 between General Osório and Jardim Oceânico. It opened on August 1, just before the 2016 Olympic Games, and by March 2017 Lines 1 and 4 were fully interlined from Uruguai to Jardim Oceânico.
Gávea station, on a Line 4 spur between Antero de Quental and São Conrado, began construction in 2013 but was abandoned in 2015 after an investigation into overpriced contracts. Work resumed in August 2025, with a shuttle between São Conrado and Gávea expected by July 2028.
Mubadala acquired majority ownership of Metrô Rio in 2021. In April 2025, the state government signed a deal extending the concession until 2048 in exchange for investment in Gávea station, with Metrô Rio also set to take over the Line 4 concession from the Rio Barra Consortium.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Opened | March 5, 1979 |
| Original service | Five stations on Line 1 |
| Major early expansion | 1980 to 1982 |
| Line 4 completed | 2016 |
| Concession extended to | 2048 |
Future Extensions
Rio de Janeiro Metro expansion is led by the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro through Riotrilhos, while Metrô Rio operates and maintains the system under concession. The most important active project is the completion of Gávea Station, planned first as a shuttle service to São Conrado and later as an interchange between a deinterlined Line 1 and Line 4.
Recent expansion materials describe several possible route extensions and new links:
- Line 2: extension from Estácio to Praça XV, passing through Catumbi, Praça da Cruz Vermelha, Carioca/Centro, and Praça XV before crossing Guanabara Bay toward Niterói.
- Line 3: a new intermunicipal line connecting Praça XV, Niterói, and São Gonçalo, with a future possibility of reaching Itaboraí.
- Line 4: extension from Jardim Oceânico to Recreio dos Bandeirantes, with Terminal Alvorada as a major integration point.
- Line 1: earlier plans described a circular route via Uruguai/Tijuca, Carioca/Centro, Siqueira Campos/Copacabana, Antero de Quental/Leblon, and Gávea.
- Fiocruz-Gávea Line: a proposed route via Triagem and Uruguai.
Master plan materials say the Line 3 project would include an underwater tunnel beneath Guanabara Bay between Praça XV and Arariboia, with the rest at surface level. Earlier planning also placed the Line 4 extension along the TransOeste BRT corridor between Recreio and Jardim Oceânico.
Other ideas have included extensions from Alcântara to Itaboraí, from Araribóia-Maravista to Itaipuaçu, and new corridors from São Francisco to Alcântara and from Campo Grande to Duque de Caxias via Nova Iguaçu and Pavuna.
Official previews have referred to 31 new stations, 44 additional kilometers of track, about 27 miles, and a target completion window through 2032, with the first sections expected before that date.
Nearby Attractions
Rio de Janeiro’s natural setting makes metro-based sightseeing especially rewarding. Green mountains, long beaches, historic streets, museums, and entertainment venues are spread across the city, and many are reachable with a metro trip plus a short walk, bus ride, or transfer.
Popular highlights include Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Quinta da Boa Vista, the National Museum of Brazil, and the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
For parks, beaches, and views, Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the best-known beach areas in Brazil. Parque Lage, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and Vista Chinesa are good options for walking, relaxing, and panoramic scenery. The botanical garden and lagoon area work well for a slower day out.
Rio also has major landmarks and architecture in and around the central area. Christ the Redeemer, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, and the Church of Our Lady of the Glory show different layers of the city’s history. Downtown, the Municipal Theatre, Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Selarón Steps, and National Library of Brazil are convenient to combine with a metro trip.
Museum and gallery options include the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Historical Museum, the CCBB Cultural Centre, and the Museum of Astronomy. Other notable stops include the Museum of the Republic, the National Museum of Brazil, the Eva Klabin Foundation, and MAC de Niterói.
Neighborhoods such as Ipanema, Santa Teresa, Barra da Tijuca, and the historic center each offer a different feel, from beach life to older streets and local character. Feira de São Cristóvão is a useful market stop for regional culture and food away from the most typical tourist circuit.
For theatre, sports, and entertainment, the Municipal Theatre hosts performances in a historic setting, the Sambadrome is central to Carnival parades, and Maracanã Stadium remains one of Rio’s most iconic sports venues. The Olympic Stadium and other event spaces add options for concerts, matches, and large cultural events.
The Rio de Janeiro Zoo, near São Cristóvão Station, is a family-friendly stop and a useful reason to explore beyond the beach districts.