Travel to Brazil
Flying to Brazil
Brazil is well connected by air to major cities across the Americas, Europe and parts of Africa. Most international visitors arrive at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport or Rio de Janeiro's Galeão International Airport, both of which offer extensive global links and frequent connections to domestic destinations throughout the country. Brasília also receives international flights, particularly from neighbouring South American nations.
Direct services operate from major European hubs such as London, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, as well as from North American cities including Miami, New York, Houston and Toronto. From within South America, Brazil is accessible via frequent flights from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. Travellers from regions without direct connections usually transit through São Paulo, Panama City, Bogotá or Lisbon.
International carriers serving Brazil include LATAM, Gol, Azul, TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, American Airlines and United Airlines, among others.
Flight times:
Direct flights from London to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro take roughly the same amount of time, with a typical journey of about 11 hours 40 minutes.
Airport guides
Airport Code: BSB. Location: Brasília International Airport is about 11km (7 miles) south of Brasília Central... Money: ATMs and a currency exchange service are available in the public area near Domestic Arrivals. Read more
Airport Code: GIG. Location: RIOgaleão Tom Jobim Airport is located on Governador Island, about 16km (10 miles) north of... Money: ATMs are available. Currency Exchange is available in Domestic Arrivals, International Arrivals,... Read more
Airport Code: GRU. Location: São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is about 28km (17 miles) northeast of Catedral da... Money: Currency exchange counters are in Terminal 2 (Departures and Arrivals), and Terminal 3 (Departures... Read more
Airport Code: SSA. Location: Salvador Bahia International Airport is located about 26km (16 miles) northeast of the Bahia Museum... Money: ATMs are located in the Arrivals hall. A currency exchange counter is also available in the main... Read more
Travel by rail
There are no passenger trains connecting Brazil with its South American neighbours, and cross-border rail travel for tourists is not currently an option. Although freight railways operate between Brazil and countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia, these lines do not carry passengers.
Driving to Brazil
Brazil shares land borders with ten countries, making overland travel possible from much of South America. Road crossings are most commonly used between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, where major highways connect key cities on either side. Popular routes include the crossings near Foz do Iguaçu (Argentina and Paraguay), Jaguarão (Uruguay) and Corumbá (Bolivia). These border posts are generally straightforward for travellers, though waiting times can vary.
Road access from Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname is possible but less frequently used, and conditions may be challenging due to remote locations, limited services and varying security situations. There is no road link between Brazil and French Guiana in the traditional sense, though vehicles can cross via the Oyapock River bridge near Oiapoque.
Travellers entering Brazil by land must carry the appropriate travel documents and may be asked to show proof of vaccination or onward travel depending on current regulations. Roads in border regions range from well-maintained highways to rougher rural tracks, so planning ahead and checking local conditions is advisable.
Getting to Brazil by boat
River routes connect Brazil with parts of the Amazon region. Travellers can reach northern Brazil from Peru or Colombia by taking long-distance riverboats that operate along the Amazon and its tributaries. Crossings between Leticia (Colombia), Santa Rosa (Peru) and Tabatinga (Brazil) are among the most commonly used, though journeys can be slow and facilities basic.
Cruise ships:
International cruise ships regularly call at major Brazilian ports such as Rio de Janeiro, Santos (near São Paulo), Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza, particularly during the South American summer season. These cruises typically operate from Europe, the Caribbean and neighbouring South American countries.
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