There are two official services up to Christ the Redeemer: the Trem do Corcovado, which leaves from Cosme Velho, and the Paineiras Corcovado vans, which leave from Copacabana, Largo do Machado or the Paineiras Visitor Center. Both tickets include the ride up, the ride down and entry to the monument, so you don't need to buy anything else. What changes is where you board, how you book and what happens if you want to move your date.
At a glance
- Train: leaves from Rua Cosme Velho, 513, every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every 20 minutes. Adult R$ 134 round trip.
- Van: leaves from Copacabana or Largo do Machado (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or from Paineiras (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The price depends on the day and the boarding point.
- What's included: round trip plus entry to Christ the Redeemer, in both cases.
- Where to buy: only on the official websites, linked below.
- Driving: there is no parking at Paineiras or at the monument.
The Trem do Corcovado
The train has been running since 1884 and climbs through the forest from Cosme Velho station. According to the train's useful information page ↗, it runs Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with departures every twenty minutes, and times may change without notice because of technical or weather problems.
Prices and who pays what
The fare is the same all year. Published round-trip prices, checked on October 14, 2026:
- Adult: R$ 134.
- Children aged 7 to 11: R$ 107.
- Up to age 6: free when sitting on an adult's lap, with ID.
- Discounts for over-60s, students and ID Jovem are for Brazilians only: if you're traveling from abroad, you pay the adult fare.
Check-in and changes
You must check in at the ticket office at least 40 minutes before your ticket time, with the card you paid with and ID for the cardholder. If you arrive later, you lose your slot and board only if there's space. There is no luggage storage, so travel light; strollers must stay folded.
To change your date or cancel, the rescheduling policy ↗ is:
- More than 48 hours before: free change or cancellation.
- 48 hours or less: a 20% fee applies.
- After your visit time: no changes or cancellations.
- You can reschedule only once; if you bought through an agency, its rules apply.
The station has elevators and accessible restrooms. While the escalators are being replaced, check the accessibility section of the website before you go.
The Paineiras Corcovado vans
The official vans go up to Christ the Redeemer with no stops along the way. According to the Paineiras Corcovado FAQ ↗, there are three boarding points:
- Copacabana: Praça do Lido, near Posto 2. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Largo do Machado: in front of the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Glória, next to exit A of Largo do Machado metro station. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Paineiras Visitor Center: Estrada das Paineiras, about 15 minutes from the monument. 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry at 5 p.m.
What's included and how to book
The ticket covers the round trip from the same point where you bought it: you can't board in Copacabana and get off at Largo do Machado. Once at the top, you can stay as long as you like within the monument's opening hours. The price varies by day and boarding point and is shown when you book at ingressos.paineirascorcovado.com.br ↗. Online costs the same as at the ticket office, and you can show the ticket on your phone.
Arrive 15 minutes before your booked time; there is a grace period of up to 15 minutes after it. Children under 6 ride free, but you need to pick up their ticket at the ticket office with ID showing their age. The discounts listed by the operator (over-60s, students, people with disabilities) require proof on the day: check beforehand whether they apply to you.
If you were planning to drive
Paineiras Corcovado advises against driving: there is no parking at Paineiras or at the monument, and the road from Alto da Boa Vista to the Visitor Center is closed. Its suggested alternatives are the van from Copacabana or Largo do Machado, or a taxi or ride-hailing app to Paineiras.
Which one is right for you
- Choose the train if you want the ride through the forest, getting to Cosme Velho works for you and you prefer a fixed published price. Factor in the 40-minute check-in.
- Choose the van if you're staying in Copacabana or near Largo do Machado metro and would rather leave from there. It's the only one of the two that lists boarding from 7 a.m.
- If the view matters to you, Corcovado is often covered in clouds. With the train, changing your date is free only up to 48 hours before; if you can, schedule the visit on a day with some slack in your itinerary.
To fit it into your trip, see the four-day itinerary and the other experiences in Rio. If you're adding Sugarloaf Mountain the same day, here's how to plan the cable car.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a separate ticket for the monument?
No, if you go with the train or the official van: both tickets include entry to Christ the Redeemer.
Do the over-60 discounts apply to foreigners?
On the train, no: the website states they're for Brazilians only. For the van, the operator asks for proof on the day and doesn't say whether it applies to foreigners; ask before you buy.
Do I need to book in advance?
Both tickets are sold for a specific date and time. In high season, book a few days ahead and always buy on the official website, not through links on social media.
What's the best time to go?
Paineiras Corcovado says there are usually fewer people from 2 p.m. Clouds change quickly: check the sky on the day before you leave.
Sources: Trem do Corcovado ↗ and Paineiras Corcovado ↗, checked on October 14, 2026.