Getting Around Petrópolis
Petrópolis is a compact mountain city, and its historic centre is where most visitors spend their time. The good news is that the main sights cluster close together, so you can cover a lot of ground on foot. For everything else, local buses, taxis and ride-hailing fill in the gaps.
On Foot
Walking is the simplest way to explore Petrópolis. All the main tourist sights are close to the centre and are easily accessible on foot, which makes the historic core a natural base for a visit. Plan to do your sightseeing on foot and save motorised transport for reaching the bus station or heading further out.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Petrópolis has no metro, tram or passenger rail network for getting around the city. Although a railroad historically reached the city in the nineteenth century, there is no rail service today that visitors can use to move between neighbourhoods or to arrive from Rio de Janeiro. The only way into Petrópolis is by road, so plan your trip around buses, cars and taxis rather than trains.
Buses and Public Transport
There are numerous bus services in and around town. For visitors, the most useful routes are the number 100 and 010, which run between the centre and the Leonel Brizola bus station in the Bingen area on the western outskirts. These are the buses to take if you are arriving or departing by intercity coach.
- Fares and payment: The local fare is modest and can be paid in cash directly on the bus.
- Planning your route: To work out local bus connections, use the Moovit app and select the metropolitan area "Rio e Região".
- Getting to the centre: From the intercity bus station, take local bus 100 or 010 and ask to be dropped off at Praça Liberdade.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful, and you can simply hail one of the many driving around town. If you prefer to book ahead, a local taxi company operates a call line. Ride-hailing is also an option: use Uber to get around. As a rough guide to cost, expect to pay a taxi fare in the range of R$30–35 for the trip between the intercity bus station and the Centro Histórico.
- Hailing a taxi: Flag down one of the many cabs circulating in town, or call the local taxi service.
- Ride-hailing: Uber is available for point-to-point trips.
- Car hire: A car hire office in the centre is really only useful if you plan on visiting the area around the city rather than staying in the historic core.
Arriving from the Airport and Beyond
The only way into Petrópolis is by road, so you will arrive by bus or by car. The most intercity bus connections are from Rio de Janeiro, and there are also services from major cities in the area such as Belo Horizonte, as well as places further afield including São Paulo and Brasília.
Intercity coaches arrive at the Terminal Rodoviário Governador Leonel Brizola, commonly called the Rodoviária de Petrópolis or Rodoviária do Bingen. It sits in the Bingen suburb on the western outskirts, some distance from the Centro Histórico. The station is well equipped for arrivals, with ATMs, gift shops, a newsstand and a food court offering snack bars, coffee shops and a restaurant.
- From Rio de Janeiro: Services connect Petrópolis with several Rio terminals, including Novo Rio Rodoviária, Terminal Garagem Menezes Côrtes (Terminal do Castelo) in the city centre, and Terminal Rodoviário de Campo Grande in the western part of Rio. Buses run in both directions, with the most frequent departures on the Novo Rio route. If you are transiting to other destinations in Brazil, Novo Rio is the station to use.
- Buying tickets: Fares vary by route and direction, so check the current price when you book. On the Rio services, buses bound for Rio are marked with the destination "Castelo".
- Getting into town: From the bus station, take local bus 100 or 010 into the centre and ask to be dropped at Praça Liberdade, or take a taxi for roughly R$30–35 to the Centro Histórico.
- A tip for the ride: When coming into Petrópolis, try to get a seat on the left-hand side of the bus for the best views.