How to get to Arraial do Cabo?

Hi traveler S2:]

In this article we will tell you how to get to Arraial do Cabo. There are 4 ways to get there:

Getting to Arraial is easy. It does not matter which means of transport you choose. The city is 165 km from the capital, Rio de Janeiro. It is important to remember that in the big parties like New Year and Carnival, there is a lot of traffic in the Lake District and, often, it is almost impossible to find parking there. We recommend that you choose medium and low seasons, but don’t forget to go, because the beaches are amazing! Soon, with or without traffic, at the end of the trip, you will find a place as beautiful as the Caribbean!

Ways to get to Arraial do Cabo

You can arrive by car, by bus, through tourism agencies (which carry and accompany you) and by plane to Cabo Frio, which is next door. These are the ways to get to Arraial do Cabo. Which one is best for you? See below.

Go by car

On normal days, the trip takes approximately 2h30min. When leaving Rio de Janeiro, you must cross the Rio-Niterói bridge and take the BR-101 highway. Head towards Via Lagos, which is a privatized road, so be prepared to pay tolls. It is about $ 11. On weekends, around $ 18. Despite the price, the road is mostly double and very well signposted. Very safe There are very few detours along the way, quite easy.

Via Lagos has several service stations, shops and restaurants along the way. You will find many delicacies such as cheese, sausage bread (famous along the way) and much more. If you can take a break to rest:]

If you are in one of the two airports of the capital, you can rent a car at the rental companies of Santos Dumond or Internacional do Galeão.

Remember again that on certain holidays the traffic is monstrous. Travel time can double or even triple. Make sure you don’t have this headache, especially if you have little time, since you can really take your free time. Do not forget to have your updated documentation, both personal and automobile. There are bombings that are done quite frequently in Rio de Janeiro, in Via Lagos and even there in the city of Arraial. Don’t be silly about it.

Go by bus – How to get to Arraial do Cabo

If you prefer to go by bus, they leave many, many times a day from Rio de Janeiro. You will have to take a bus from Auto Viação 1001. Buses leave from Rodoviária Novo Rio. You can reach the bus station by municipal bus, VLT (which leaves from the center of Rio), Uber or Taxi. Tickets for Arraial can be purchased at the ticket counters at the bus station or even through the Internet. Too easy. The trip usually takes about 3 hours and costs between $ 50 and $ 70, depending on the type of bus. But remember the traffic problem, which can increase travel time.

If you are at one of the airports of Rio, Galeão International or Santos Dumond, you can take a Real Real Bus directly to the bus station. It costs around R $ 16, it is comfortable and excellent if you have luggage.

For those who come from Sao Paulo, they can go to Rio and then take another bus to Arraial, or go directly to Cabo Frio, which is a neighboring city, and from there, take an urban bus to Arraial. Arraial is just 20 minutes from Cabo Frio. There are buses between one city and another every day.

Go by plane – How to get to Arraial do Cabo

Arraial has no airport, but the neighboring city, Cabo Frio, does. It is the Cabo Frio airport (CFB). Prices are higher than by bus. The only company that performs regular flights is Azul, leaving Confins (Belo Horizonte – MG) out of it, only charter flights. Flying is still a very expensive option, but it can be interesting, especially if you want to skip traffic, literally!

Through agencies

If you want to have less headache and simply enjoy the trip, an excellent option is to hire a tour from a travel agency. You will have a qualified guide and your day will be agreed in advance. S2RIO offers a round trip from Rio to Arraial with a schooner ride. You will visit the best beaches and return to the comfort of your stay in Rio on the same day. More information here.