The metro is the easiest way to get between the Zona Sul, Downtown (Centro) and Maracanã without sitting in traffic. It has only a few lines, it serves almost every neighborhood you'll visit, and you can pay by tapping a bank card. This guide explains how it works, what it costs and what to know before your first ride.
At a glance
- Fare: R$ 7,90 per ride on Lines 1, 2 and 4, according to MetrôRio ↗.
- How to pay: contactless Visa, Mastercard or Elo card, NFC phone, Giro card, single-ride ticket, QR code, or Jaé and Riocard cards.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 5:00–0:00; Sundays and public holidays, 7:00–23:00.
- Lines: Lines 1 and 4 work as a single route from Tijuca to Barra da Tijuca; Line 2 runs from Pavuna to Botafogo.
- During big events (matches, Carnival, Réveillon) hours change: check that day's notices.
The lines and the stations you'll use most
According to MetrôRio's customer guide ↗, the system has three lines:
- Line 1/4 (Uruguai–Jardim Oceânico): runs through Tijuca, Centro, Glória, Catete, Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, and continues to Barra da Tijuca. For the Zona Sul, the key stations are Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos and Cantagalo (Copacabana), General Osório and Nossa Senhora da Paz (Ipanema), and Jardim de Alah and Antero de Quental (Leblon).
- Line 2 (Pavuna–Botafogo): the one that takes you to the stadium, at Rei Pelé - Maracanã and São Cristóvão stations.
- Shared section: Lines 1 and 2 share the stations between Central do Brasil and Botafogo. That's where you change from one to the other.
In Centro, Carioca and Cinelândia connect with the VLT. For ferries to Niterói or Paquetá, MetrôRio says to get off at Carioca and walk along Rua São José to Praça XV.
Fares and how to pay
The fare has been R$ 7,90 per ride since April 12, 2026, according to the fares and payment page ↗. The options most useful to visitors:
- Contactless bank card or phone: MetrôRio accepts Visa, Master or Elo ↗ cards and NFC phones. Tap the card on the turnstile that shows the symbol and walk through. The page doesn't say whether cards issued outside Brazil work, so have a backup.
- Giro card: costs R$ 11,90 (a refundable R$ 4,00 deposit plus a first R$ 7,90 load). You can top it up at stations, with a R$ 5,00 minimum, or online. It's useful if you'll ride a lot or if your card doesn't go through.
- Single-ride ticket: R$ 7,90 for one ride.
- Jaé and Riocard: accepted at every station. If you'll combine the metro with buses or the BRT, it's worth knowing which one to use: we explain it in Jaé and Riocard.
The page doesn't say whether one contactless card can pay for several riders in a row. If you're traveling as a group, the simplest option is for each person to have their own payment method.
Hours
From Monday to Saturday the metro runs 5:00–0:00, and on Sundays and public holidays 7:00–23:00. To change lines at the end of the day, MetrôRio asks you to be on the platform of the transfer station before closing time.
On holidays and during events, the schedule changes. For example, on October 12, 2026 it ran on Sunday hours, according to Diário do Transporte ↗. If you have a match, a rehearsal at the Sambódromo or a night out, check that day's hours on MetrôRio's channels.
Useful routes for visitors
- Copacabana or Ipanema → Centro: Line 1 to Carioca or Cinelândia.
- Zona Sul → Maracanã: Line 1 to the shared section, then change to Line 2 to Rei Pelé - Maracanã. Gate details are in going to a match at Maracanã.
- Ipanema or Leblon → Barra da Tijuca: Line 4 to Jardim Oceânico, where it connects with the BRT.
- From Galeão airport: there's no direct metro; the trip combines the BRT and the metro, as we explain in Galeão to Copacabana and Ipanema.
To plan the rest of your trips, see getting around Rio.
Frequently asked questions
Does the metro go to Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain?
Not directly. For Christ the Redeemer, the Corcovado train leaves from Cosme Velho; we cover it in Christ the Redeemer: train or van. The metro doesn't reach Urca either, where the Sugarloaf cable car starts: plan that leg with how to plan the Bondinho.
Can I ride with luggage?
We didn't find a published luggage rule on MetrôRio's website. If you have large suitcases, avoid rush hour and ask at the station.
Is the metro safe?
Take the usual precautions with your phone and wallet, especially at rush hour. More tips in safety in Rio.
Sources: MetrôRio: fares and payment ↗, MetrôRio: contactless payment ↗, MetrôRio: customer guide ↗ and Diário do Transporte ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.