Getting Around Caxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul sits in the Serra Gaúcha at an elevation of 817 meters, where the Vacaria Plateau breaks into numerous valleys crossed by small waterways. That rugged topography, especially in the southern part of the city, shapes how you move around: expect winding roads and hills rather than a flat, easily walkable grid. The city is the largest in the Serra Gaúcha and the second most populous in Rio Grande do Sul, so it has a full set of urban transport options, but it is not a city built around rail transit.
Rail, Metro and Trams
There is no metro, tram, or passenger rail network for getting around Caxias do Sul. The city's rail history is exactly that: history. The first train arrived on June 1, 1910, the same day Caxias was granted city status, connecting the region to the state capital, and the railway went on to boost local commerce in the early 20th century. But that is a historical milestone, not a current transport option. For a visitor today, rail simply is not part of the picture — plan around buses, taxis, ride-hailing, and walking instead.
Buses and Public Transport
Municipal bus service in Caxias do Sul is provided by VISATE (Viação Santa Tereza de Caxias do Sul). This is the main public transport option within the city.
- Route naming: Most bus routes passing through the city center carry the name of the subdivision (bairro) they serve in the route name. Knowing the name of your destination neighborhood makes it much easier to identify the right line.
- Planning your trip: It is best to have a map of the city and its subdivisions if you plan to travel by bus. VISATE publishes a list of all routes and maps, so check those before you set out.
- Contact: VISATE can be reached at +55 54 3215-8000 or on the toll-free line 800-051-6133.
For travel between cities, the Estação Rodoviária de Caxias do Sul (the intercity bus station) at Rua Ernesto Alves 1341 is the hub. It can be reached at +55 54 3218-3000 or rodoviaria@rodoviariacaxias.com.br. The station has a snack bar, shops selling newspapers, magazines, and souvenirs, and baggage storage (guarda volumes) in Sector 6 on the west side — useful if you want to visit town while waiting for a connecting bus.
Comfortable, air-conditioned executive coaches connect Caxias do Sul with Porto Alegre and many other cities across Rio Grande do Sul. Most travelers arriving from the Porto Alegre metropolitan region use the CAXIENSE bus line. Several companies operate from the station, each covering different parts of the state and nearby attractions:
- Caxiense (+55 54 3211-8300) — Porto Alegre and back.
- Unesul (+55 51 3375-9000; toll-free 0800-888-0809) — also Porto Alegre.
- Planalto (toll-free 0800-604-1832) — Porto Alegre plus many other cities in Rio Grande do Sul and other states.
- Citral (+55 54 3228-5430) — Gramado, Canela, São Francisco de Paula, and Taquara.
- Ozelame (+55 54 3228-4088) — nearby cities such as Bento Gonçalves, Farroupilha, Garibaldi, and Carlos Barbosa.
- São Marcos (+55 54 3229-4511) — São Marcos, Cambará do Sul, Três Cachoeiras, Sombrio, Araranguá, and Florianópolis.
- Santa Cruz (+55 51 3719-9200; toll-free 0800-643-8691) — central-region cities such as Santa Maria, Paraíso do Sul, Teutônia, Candelária, and Novo Cabrais.
- São João (+55 51 3722-9700) — infrequent trips to southern Rio Grande do Sul cities such as Santana do Livramento.
- Bento Transportes (+55 54 3452-2977; empresabento@bentotransportes.com.br).
On tickets: the bus station website lets you check schedules, verify fares, and even purchase tickets in advance, though buying online requires a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, the Brazilian natural persons register number). Most foreigners simply show up at the time of travel and buy a ticket at the station. Outside of holidays, there are generally vacancies on the buses.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxi service in Caxias do Sul is described as very reliable. The local custom is to pick up a taxi from a taxi queue rather than hailing one off the street. A few practical habits will keep the ride straightforward:
- Know what the starting fare should be before you get in, and which flag (bandeira) applies at that time of day.
- Normal working days during working hours use "bandeira 1," which is the less expensive rate.
- If the taximeter starts running before the driver has actually begun the trip, ask the driver to zero it out (zerar o taxímetro).
- Use the usual precautions you would anywhere.
The source material does not cover ride-hailing apps in Caxias do Sul, so treat taxis as the documented option and check locally for app availability.
Walking
Walking works best in and around the urban center, where commerce and industry concentrated as the city grew. Beyond the center, the terrain is the limiting factor: Caxias do Sul was established where the plateau breaks into numerous valleys intersected by small waterways, producing rugged topography in the southern part of the city. Distances between neighborhoods and the hills in between make walking impractical for many trips, so plan to combine walking in the center with buses or taxis for longer journeys.
By Car
If you want to see points outside the center or travel throughout the Serra Gaúcha, renting a car is an option. Rental agencies operating locally include Localiza Rent a Car, Yes Renta a Car, Hertz, and City Rent a Car.
Two main road routes lead to Caxias do Sul from Porto Alegre:
- BR-116: the main route, a journey of just over two hours. The stretch between Porto Alegre and Ivoti is divided with four lanes, with a section in single lane.
- BR-116 to São Leopoldo, then RS-240 and RS-122: an alternative and one of the most used by travelers heading into the Serra Gaúcha. The road is divided into four lanes as far as São Vendelino, with a stretch in single lane beyond.
Both the BR-116 and RS-122 are well maintained, but drive carefully, especially around the mountains, where the roads have many sinuous, sharp curves. Obey all speed limit signs.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Caxias do Sul's airport is Aeroporto Hugo Cantergiani (Campo dos Bugres Airport, code CXJ), at Avenida Salgado Filho 3451, telephone +55 54 3901-1219. It has flights to Caxias do Sul via the São Paulo airports (GRU and CGH) and Campinas (VCP). Airlines serving the city include Azul (+55 11 4003-3255; toll-free in Brazil 0800-887-1118) and GOL (toll-free 800-704-0465, which also offers website chat with an agent in Portuguese or English).
Because Porto Alegre Airport (POA) has more commercial flights, many travelers fly there instead and take a comfortable executive bus to Caxias do Sul, a trip of about two hours. If you are weighing your options, compare fares for both airports before booking.
If you arrive at Porto Alegre and continue by bus, you will come in through the Estação Rodoviária de Caxias do Sul, the intercity bus station described above — the same station where CAXIENSE and the other operators arrive from the capital and from across the state.