Getting Around Londrina
Londrina is a mid-sized city in northern Paraná, and getting around it is mostly a matter of buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and your own two feet. There is no rail, metro, or tram network to rely on here — public transport in Londrina is primarily bus-based, so plan your movements around the bus system or a car.
Buses and Public Transport
The city's bus network is operated by CMTU and connects major neighbourhoods, commercial areas, and attractions. The main hub is Terminal Central downtown, which is where you'll go to transfer between lines; smaller peripheral terminals serve the outlying districts.
- Where to find routes: Route maps are available via the CMTU website, Moovit, and Google Maps. Transporte Coletivo Grande Londrina (TCGL) also publishes bus lines and timetables, though its website can be hard to navigate. Real-time bus information is available digitally, and recent updates to the system have added real-time tracking, on-board Wi-Fi, and route-planning apps.
- Tickets and passes: The most efficient option is the Cartão de Bilhete Único (Single Ticket Card), which you can buy and load at Terminal Central, supermarkets, and authorised vendors. The card typically allows free transfers within a one- to two-hour window. Cash is also accepted, though the cash fare is usually slightly higher than the card fare.
- When buses run: Service roughly spans early morning to around midnight or 1 AM. Frequency is higher at peak hours and lower off-peak, on weekends, and on holidays.
- What to expect: Buses are reasonably priced and safe, with acceptable coverage of the city, but crowding happens — especially around university hours, when students fill the buses. Outside peak times you may wait a long while, and in some areas frequency is limited.
- Accessibility: Newer buses have wheelchair ramps; older buses may not, so it varies by route and vehicle model.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are frequent and can be found throughout the city. Licensed taxis are white cars with a roof sign and specific licence plates, and you can hail them on the street, pick them up at stands (the airport, the bus terminal, and shopping malls), or call one by phone. They are metered, with day and night/weekend rates, and while cash is always accepted, many drivers take credit or debit cards — it's worth confirming before you set off. Be aware that Londrina's traffic can slow you down, with plenty of stop-and-go at lights, so short trips can take longer than you'd expect.
Ride-hailing is widely available. Uber operates in the city with several service tiers, and 99 is a popular Brazilian app that offers both ride-share and taxi-hailing. Both give you a fare estimate before you book, which makes them a convenient alternative to street taxis.
Walking and Biking
Central neighbourhoods such as Gleba Palhano, Aurora, and Centro are walkable, with a mix of residential zones, cafés, shops, and services, and city planning initiatives have prioritised pedestrians. As in any city, take care when walking through less crowded areas after dark.
Biking infrastructure is developing: some streets have dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, and some newly planned arterial roads include bike lanes. Bicycle rentals are available, notably around Lago Igapó. That said, cycling can be challenging or risky in areas that lack infrastructure, so stick to the lanes where they exist.
Driving and Car Rental
If you plan to drive, note that Brazilians drive on the right, seatbelts are mandatory, speed limits are enforced, and using a cell phone while driving is prohibited. Traffic signs are in Portuguese, and the blood alcohol limit is practically zero, with strict enforcement and severe penalties. For parking, the Zona Azul (blue zone) street parking usually requires payment via vendors or an app, while malls offer paid parking — paid parking is generally considered the safer option.
Car rental companies including Localiza, Movida, Unidas, Hertz, Avis, and Budget operate at the airport and in the city. Minimum rental ages vary by company, generally between 21 and 25, and you'll legally need a valid national driver's licence plus an International Driving Permit, along with a major credit card for the deposit. Motorcycle and scooter rentals are uncommon for visitors, and there are no tuk-tuks or jeepneys to speak of.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Londrina is served by Londrina – Governador José Richa Airport (LDB), which has daily flights to Curitiba, São Paulo, Campinas, and other destinations. Once you land, your options for reaching the city mirror the general transport picture: taxis are available at the airport stand, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and 99 can pick you up. Car rental desks for the major companies are also located at the airport if you'd rather drive yourself.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus or Road
Londrina has good long-distance bus connections, so arriving by coach is a practical option. By road, the BR-369 connects the city with Ourinhos and São Paulo to the east, while the Herminio Antônio Pennacchi Highway links it to Maringá to the west.