Let's talk about buses, taxis, etc here

Unless you have a very good idea where you are going then you should stick to taxis when getting about in Rio. If you're taking the bus or metro & you don't know what you are doing, it is very easy to step off the bus into some very bad neighborhoods. So make sure that you know where you are going before you get on the bus or metro.

Bus prices has escalated dramatically - 1.10 reais now which is roughly 40 cents US.

YT,

I have searched the web looking for bus and metro maps for Rio and come up with squat. Any thoughts ?

Gitano - I've never been able find anything about the buses on the web. I once found a site that had where the metro stops are. I'll try to wander over to the metro station & see if I can find anything.

Let's talk taxis.
When you walk out of Help, or Termas 4x4, or any other popular spot there is a bunch of taxis hanging around. I found that these guys always have some bullshit going on, like refusing to use the meter or charging double, so what I usually do is walk past them and flag down a taxi driving down the street. I've done this at all hours and have never had to pay double or get some nonsense about a flat-rate.
On this same note, when leaving Rio I asked the hotel clerk to get me a cab and he got me one of those red cabs, cost me about R$50 to the airport. Was I gyped?

Bendejo
R$50 is the regular price from Copa to Airport.
Where do you flag taxis outside of Help since you walk past the ones right in front on Ave Atlantico, maybe the ones by the street between Help and Meaia Petaca?

Nope, the red taxis cost more than the yellow ones.
Fare from Copa to airport around 35R vs 50R charged by high price radio-called red taxis.

rock3times
Can you explain taxi stuff? I took grey taxi from Airport to Copa for 50R. Copa to airport on yellow cab cost me also 50R.

I was quoted US$25 one way or US$40 round trip from the Debret Hotel for airport pickup/return

I suggest taking the comfortable air conditioned bus from the airport to Atlantica. It costs R4, a real bargain. It is about 50 yards to the right as you exit customs.

Stayawayjoe
Does the bus stop on ave atlantico? I had read it takes you somewhere to ave Ribeiro?

Athos: When I walk out of Help I veer left to the first intersection and flag down a taxi coming down Atlantica. If your Portuguese is not good enough and you have company, have the girl give the directions.
The Real bus from the airport is a great deal. It will go down Atlantica, unless it is a "special day" which seems to me is pretty damned often. In which case in comes down Barata Ribeiro. Going to the airport you have to do some research whether it's going up Atlantica or NS Copacabana that day. Then again traffic on Atlantica may suddenly be re-routed due to a special event, in which case you can be standing out there with your bags for quite a while.
Personally I feel most vulnerable when carrying my luggage down the street, so the taxi is a way of buying peace of mind. If arriving after dark maybe taxi is the way to go.

Fooledagain1: whenever someone quotes me a price in US $ I walk away, whether it's a store or garota. It's a way of being told you're being charged the "special tourist rate."

Athos,
It stops on Atlantica Mon thru Sat and on Sunday it goes along Barata Ribiero because Atlantica is closed to traffic.

I actually had 2 cabs that took me to the airport and used their meters. The fare was around 20-25 reais. In the past, I haven't been able to get taxis to use their meters for trips to the airport.

Athos
sorry to answer late
but you can see the answer above.
Red taxis are radio-called and controlled by big companies..you call a number in phone book or business cards and they will pick you up at hotels or whatever places are..
Yellow taxis are normal taxis, run on meters and you flag down whenever you see one on the street..
you can avoid red taxis in airport by GOING UP stairs once arrived to go to the departure terminal and catch one which just drops off another passenger

add;
Athos ...you got a scum taxi driver (yellow one)..always force them to turn on the meter rather flat rate quote then the price will drop precipitously...

Here's a site for bus numbers(what goes where), taxis, boats, metro.
www.rio.rj.gov.br/riotur/rioportu/guia/transporte_port.htm

Nice link StayAway. I noticed that it lists some tourist sights that I had never heard of. Anyone know anything about Pedro de Guaratiba, Praca Quinze or Santa Tereza?

I have a good one for you guys sitting in the USA...

Why do taxis have their gas gauges unhooked. If it is for thieves, dont they know this also.

Is it my understanding that the best taxis are the yellow taxis at the airport ?? I will need to go to Debret Hotel. What should this cost me ?
Thanks.

youngtom! santa tereza is to rio was quarter latin is to paris.many artists, painters lives in the area.quite a few bars,restaurant i think arnoud is the best one.dont know the street but you see it from the trem.it is well worth a visit,during day time as it becomes abit risky at evenings and nights.
praca 15 more or less just the ferry station to niteroi and ilha paquete,to the best of my knowledge.iggy sca.

Soprano,
About 30 Reais.

YT,
Santa Tereza is a fantastic place to get local color. I thinks it's reasonably safe (safer than Copa, frankly), and there are lots of great music clubs and small restaurants.

Yo Rio mongers,

I´m offering a free airport pickup from Sept 23-30th. Free to fellow mongers. I can fit up to 8 passengers. Drop me an e-mail through my site (on the resource link on the left) or call me: 21-9317-5567 or 61-9970-1952 or zeo@rioturist.com

Take care

Jose
rioturist.com