For many trips in Rio, especially at night or with luggage, a car is the most practical option: a ride-hailing app or a taxi. Both are available across the city and each has its advantages. This guide explains how the official taxi works, what fares City Hall sets and what to check before getting in.
At a glance
- Ride-hailing apps: Uber and 99, among others, operate in Rio. You see the price before confirming the ride.
- Taxi: yellow, with a meter. City Hall sets the fare, and in 2026 the flag-down rate is R$ 6.30.
- Rate 2: more expensive, Monday to Saturday from 21:00 to 6:00 and all day on Sundays and holidays.
- Airports: Galeão and Santos Dumont have signposted pickup points for apps and taxi stands.
- When getting in: check the plate and driver's name in the app, or that the taxi is properly identified.
Taxis: how they work and what they cost
Regular taxis in Rio are yellow and charge by meter. The fare is updated every year by the Municipal Transportation Department (SMTR). According to SMTR Resolution No. 3893 ↗, in effect since January 2, 2026, for a regular taxi:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flag-down rate | R$ 6.30 |
| Per km, rate 1 | R$ 3.85 |
| Per km, rate 2 | R$ 4.62 |
| Waiting time, per hour | R$ 48.51 |
| Each large bag (from 60 × 30 cm) | R$ 3.85 |
Rate 1 applies Monday to Saturday from 6:00 to 21:00. Rate 2 applies Monday to Saturday from 21:00 to 6:00, and also on Sundays, holidays and steep climbs, at any time. Since City Hall adjusts the fares every year, double-check them if you travel from January 2027 onward.
Getting a taxi
- On the street or at a stand: raise your hand or look for a taxi stand (ponto de táxi).
- By app: City Hall has its own taxi app, Taxi.Rio ↗, developed by IplanRio, the city's technology company.
- Before setting off: check that the meter starts at zero and that the driver turns it on.
Ride-hailing apps
With Uber or 99 you enter your destination in the app, see the estimated price and pay with the card on file. A few things to keep in mind:
- Surge pricing: when demand is high (rain, events letting out, the end of the Carnival parades) the price can go up. If you can, walk a few blocks away from the busiest spot.
- Mobile data: you need internet to book the car. We explain how to get it in SIM card, eSIM or roaming.
- Meeting point: choose a clear, well-lit spot where the car can stop.
To and from the airports
- Galeão (GIG): there are accredited taxis with a counter in arrivals and a dedicated pickup point for Uber cars. Full details in how to get from Galeão to Copacabana and Ipanema.
- Santos Dumont (SDU): the app pickup point is shown when you request the ride. Compare it with the VLT and metro in from Santos Dumont to Zona Sul.
Don't accept ride offers inside the terminal: use accredited taxis or the app.
Safety when getting in
- Check the plate, model and driver's name in the app before getting in.
- Share your trip with someone you trust from the app.
- At night, request the car from the door of an open place and wait inside until it arrives.
- Don't show your phone out the window while waiting on the street.
More tips in safety in Rio.
Which is better?
| Situation | Practical option |
|---|---|
| You want to know the price before getting in | Ride-hailing app |
| You're at a taxi stand or have no data | Taxi |
| Rush hour with high surge pricing | Compare with a taxi or wait a while |
| You arrive at the airport with lots of luggage | Accredited taxi or app from the official point |
For long daytime trips, compare the metro too: we explain it in getting around Rio.
For short daytime trips, the bus is cheaper: how to ride it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip in a taxi or app?
It's not required. We explain how tipping works in tipping in Rio.
Can I pay for a taxi by card?
It depends on the taxi. Ask before getting in and carry some cash. More on payment methods in Pix, cards and cash.
What should I do if I have a problem with a taxi?
Note the vehicle number and plate. City Hall takes questions and complaints about city services through its 1746 service center, also at carioca.rio ↗.
Sources: SMTR Resolution No. 3893/2025 ↗, IplanRio: Taxi.Rio terms of use ↗, RIOgaleão: taxis and apps ↗ and Uber: SDU pickup ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.