Getting Around Pinhais
Pinhais is a small municipality in Paraná, part of the Metropolitan region of Curitiba. Because it sits right next to the state capital, visitors often treat Pinhais and Curitiba as a single area to explore, and much of the practical transport advice below reflects that reality.
Rail, Metro and Tram Network
What it does note is historical: the Curitiba–Paranaguá Railway cut through the region to the east and was important in the area's development. A visitor should not expect a metro or tram system within Pinhais itself, and should plan on road-based transport instead.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Public buses are the main form of public transport relevant to a visitor's trip.
- Regular city buses run to Terminal Boqueirão, from where it is possible to transfer free of charge to buses going downtown.
- An Airport Shuttle is also available; it is quicker than the city buses and much more comfortable, but costs more.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available at Afonso Pena Airport around the clock.
Walkability
Given that Pinhais is the smallest municipality in Paraná by area and is closely tied to Curitiba, some local trips may be walkable, but visitors should not assume that the whole city, or the route to the airport, can be covered on foot. For anything beyond a short local errand, plan on using buses, taxis or a car.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The main airport for the area is Aeroporto Afonso Pena (CWB), located in the nearby city of São José dos Pinhais. It handles scheduled flights to major Brazilian cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Brasília, as well as to other cities in Paraná State including Foz do Iguaçu, Londrina and Maringá. International scheduled service includes Buenos Aires (Ezeiza), with other destinations sometimes served on a non-scheduled basis. Airlines serving the airport include Gol, Pluna, LATAM, and smaller carriers such as Passaredo and TRIP.
From the airport, visitors have several ground transport choices:
- City buses: These depart regularly on business days to Terminal Boqueirão, where you can transfer free of charge to buses heading downtown. To find the bus stop, walk on the arrivals floor in the same direction as the cars until you see the tube-like structure. The fare can be paid in cash on the spot.
- Airport Shuttle: Departs frequently on business days. It is faster and more comfortable than the city buses, but the fare is higher.
- Taxis: Available 24 hours a day; expect a higher fare than the bus or shuttle for the trip downtown.
- Car rental: More than four rental companies operate on site.
A winter warning: In the winter months (June–August), fog often causes the airport to close in the morning. Flights may then be cancelled or rerouted to nearby Joinville or Navegantes airports. To avoid trouble, choose flights landing or taking off after 09:00 during these months.
Practical Tips
- Keep some cash on hand for the city bus fare, which is paid on the spot.
- If you want speed and comfort over cost, take the Airport Shuttle rather than the regular city bus.
- Allow extra time for airport transfers in winter, and avoid early-morning flights if you can.
- Because Pinhais borders Curitiba, many trips will involve crossing between the two, so plan your route with the Curitiba network in mind.