The bonde, Santa Teresa's yellow tram, climbs from the Centro, crosses the Arcos da Lapa and winds through the neighborhood's streets. These days it's more of an outing than a means of transportation: it has few seats, leaves every half hour and tickets are sold at a single station. This guide explains how to ride it and how to pair it with an afternoon in Santa Teresa.
At a glance
- Where to board: at Carioca station, Rua Lélio Gama, 2, in the Centro.
- Ticket: R$ 20.00. There's no half-price ticket. Pay by debit or credit card or in cash; Pix isn't accepted.
- Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00–18:30; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:00–17:00.
- Frequency: every 30 minutes, subject to capacity (32 people per tram).
- Note: on busy days, ticket sales may close before 16:00.
How to buy a ticket
According to the official Bondes de Santa Teresa page ↗, run by the state government:
- Tickets are sold only at Carioca station. At Curvelo station they're sold depending on availability.
- You must be on the platform to buy: tickets aren't sold for someone who isn't there.
- Getting off at Carioca station is mandatory at the end of the route.
- There's a limit on free rides per tram. A Diário do Rio article from March 2025 ↗ says that registered Santa Teresa residents and people over 65, among others, ride free; confirm the conditions at the ticket office.
Since each tram carries 32 people, arrive early and avoid the last hour of sales, especially on weekends.
Which routes are running
The official page doesn't detail the lines in operation. According to the Diário do Rio ↗ article from March 2025, two routes left from Carioca station:
- Carioca – Dois Irmãos: the classic route, climbing through the neighborhood.
- Paula Mattos branch: from Carioca to Largo das Neves.
The same article said the R$ 20 ticket was round trip, with the option of getting off and back on the same day. Since that information is from 2025, ask at the ticket office which line leaves at your time and whether you can get off along the way and board another tram.
How to pair it with the neighborhood
- Pick a stop to get off and explore the neighborhood on foot: Santa Teresa has steep, cobbled streets, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Plan your return: the last sales time and capacity may leave you without a seat; have a ride-hailing app as a backup.
- Combine it with Lapa: at the foot of the Arcos and near the Escadaria Selarón. You'll find ideas in the Santa Teresa and Lapa guides.
Frequently asked questions
Does the bonde work as transportation to Santa Teresa?
It does, but with few seats and departures every 30 minutes it works better as an outing. If you have a timed booking in the neighborhood, allow extra time or go by car.
Can I pay with Pix?
No. The official page says it accepts debit or credit cards and cash, but not Pix.
What else is near Carioca station?
The station is in the Centro, near Largo da Carioca. You can add a walk through the historic Centro with Rio, World Heritage or see other free things to do in Rio.
Sources: Bondes de Santa Teresa (Rio de Janeiro State Government) ↗ and Diário do Rio, March 17, 2025 ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.