How to get to Brazil

Most travelers fly into Brazil, arriving at major international airports in São Paulo (Guarulhos - GRU) or Rio de Janeiro (Galeão - GIG). Some flights also land directly in cities like Salvador, Fortaleza, or Manaus, especially from the US. Overland travel is possible from neighboring countries, and ferries operate between Brazil and Uruguay. Most visitors, including those from the UK, EU, and New Zealand, can enter Brazil visa-free, while travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia must apply for an e-visa in advance.

Flights to Brazil

Airfares depend on the season. The highest prices are typically July-August and mid-December to Christmas. Low season fares are usually available outside these peak months, except during Carnaval (February-March) when flights sell out quickly. If you're planning a trip to Brazil, booking in advance helps secure the best prices.

From the UK and Ireland

• British Airways and LATAM operate direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG).
• Cheaper fares are often available on routes via Europe with TAP (Lisbon), Iberia (Madrid), Lufthansa (Frankfurt), and Air France (Paris).
• There are no direct flights from Ireland to Brazil. Travelers from Dublin usually connect via London, Madrid, or Lisbon.
• Expect to pay around £800 in low season and £1000+ in high season.

For those flying beyond Rio or São Paulo, TAP offers connections from Lisbon to cities like Recife, Fortaleza, Salvador, and Brasília.

From the US and Canada

• Nonstop flights to Brazil operate from New York, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Washington DC, and Toronto.
• Major airlines include American Airlines, Delta, United, Air Canada, and LATAM.
• Miami offers the widest selection of direct routes, including flights to Belém, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, and Vitória.
• Ticket prices range from $700 to $1200, depending on the season and how early you book.

From Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

• Qantas and LATAM operate the most direct route from Sydney to São Paulo, with a stop in Santiago, Chile (flight time: 16+ hours).
• Air New Zealand and LATAM fly from Auckland to Santiago, with connections to Brazil.
  From South Africa, LATAM offers direct flights from Johannesburg to São Paulo (10.5 hours). South African Airways no longer operates this route.
• Fares from Australia start at A$2400, from New Zealand at NZ$3300, and from South Africa at ZAR12,000 in low season.

Round-the-World (RTW) tickets

Brazil can be included in an RTW itinerary, but prices tend to be higher than other RTW routes.

Common RTW routes include Australia-Brazil-Argentina-South Africa or Brazil-Europe-Asia-Australia.

Domestic flights and airport transfers

Brazil is huge, so domestic flights are often necessary.

• São Paulo (Guarulhos - GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (Galeão - GIG) handle most international arrivals.
• Domestic flights often operate from São Paulo's Congonhas (CGH) and Rio’s Santos Dumont (SDU) airports.
• If you have a domestic connection, you must collect luggage and clear customs before rechecking your bags. This can take an hour or more, so leave plenty of time between flights.
• Priority immigration lanes are available for families with children, pregnant women, and seniors.

Overland travel to Brazil

Brazil shares borders with 10 countries, and you can enter overland from nearly all of them. The only exception is French Guiana, where crossings require a ferry. These overland routes can add a real sense of adventure to trips to Brazil, especially if you’re combining it with travel through neighboring countries.

From Argentina

The most common border crossing is at Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), close to Iguazú Falls. Buses and taxis cross frequently.

Other crossings include Uruguaiana and São Borja in Rio Grande do Sul.

From Bolivia

The main entry point is Corumbá (Brazil) – Puerto Quijarro (Bolivia). From here, you can take a train or bus to Santa Cruz.

Other crossings include San Matías–Cáceres and Guajará-Mirim–Guayaramerín.

From Colombia and Peru

The three-way border between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru is in the Amazon region.
The crossing between Tabatinga (Brazil) and Leticia (Colombia) is a common route for Amazon travelers, with boats running to Iquitos (Peru).

From Paraguay

The easiest crossing is Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) – Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), a major shopping hub.

Other crossings include Ponta Porã–Pedro Juan Caballero and Mundo Novo–Saltos del Guairá.

From Uruguay

The most common crossing is at Chuí (Brazil) – Chuy (Uruguay), where the border runs through the middle of the town.

Buses also connect Porto Alegre (Brazil) with Montevideo (Uruguay).

From Venezuela

The border town of Pacaraima (Brazil) connects to Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela). Check current safety conditions before traveling due to Venezuela’s ongoing political situation.

Ferries from Uruguay

Buquebus operates daily ferries between Montevideo and Buenos Aires, with connections to Brazil.

The most direct ferry to Brazil is from Montevideo to Rio Grande, but it is not always available.

Travelers often take a ferry to Buenos Aires and continue overland to Brazil.