Worldwide Bus Travel Tips

How to Travel Like a Local in Brazil by Bus

Spanning from the Amazon all the way to Iguazu Falls, Brazil is an enormous landscape full of exotic things to do and see. A traveler could easily spend months traveling from place to place without getting bored. If you’re on a budget, one of the best ways to experience this multifaceted country is by bus. The buses in Brazil are an excellent way to travel, and typically are equipped with air conditioning, reclining seats, and onboard restrooms. Buses typically have various classes depending on the bus company, and typically the class corresponds directly with the price of the ticket. Some of the buses even have WiFi or offer on-board meals!

The country’s numerous bus lines can take you basically anywhere, from the massive cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to the more rural, naturally beautiful areas, like Jericoacoara and Búzios. In fact, buses can take you to visit many of Brazil’s highlights that aren’t accessible by plane. More than likely, if you want to venture outside of the metropolitan areas, you’ll have to take buses at some point. And, when you travel by bus, you’ll be surrounded by Brazilians that you can befriend and converse with. Here are a couple of tips to get you started with bus travel in Brazil, so you can travel like a local in no time.

Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara

Plan Ahead

Because bus travel is so easy and popular amongst tourists and locals alike, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure that you get your seat on the bus. The main bus stations in Brazil will have various bus company stalls selling tickets to certain cities at certain times, but these can be extremely complicated to navigate without any Portuguese knowledge.

A better way to plan your travel is through the Internet. If you research the bus schedules to your destination fully, it can save you hours of waiting and confusion at the bus station. Busbud offers an extensive amount of bus schedules from the major bus companies like Itapemirim, Expresso Brasileiro, 1001, Penha, Cometa, Util and more so that you can plan your entire trip and book your tickets online. It’s also important to decide what kind of bus you’d like to take. Buses in Brazil range from lower-end, aged clunkers to new, air-conditioned vehicles with TVs and WiFi. Prices for these buses vary accordingly. Do your research online to decide what kind of bus you’d like to take, and what time you’re hoping to arrive at your destination. This way, you won’t be scrambling to choose a company or bus line when it comes to making your way around the station.

Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto

Learn Some Basic Portuguese

Bus travel in Brazil can be tricky at first if your Portuguese is limited, but there are many ways you can overcome the language barriers in your travels. When traveling on buses and wandering through stations, it’s important to know how to speak some basic Portuguese so you can communicate with bus drivers, ticket stall attendants, and station employees. Though a lot of the population can speak and understand simple English, it’s good to know some words in the local language to navigate during your travels. Here are a few helpful phrases to get you started:

Oi – Hello

Onde está o ônibus para ________? – Where is the bus to ____________?

Onde está o banheiro? – Where is the restroom?

Preciso de comprar minha passagem. – I need to buy my ticket.

Obrigado/a – Thank you (male/female)

Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo

Shelter Your Valuables

Though most Brazilians are extremely friendly and honest, there is always the threat of theft on buses, especially those that run overnight. Bus stations are also often targeted by thieves. It is important to stay alert and vigilant, especially in bus stations where thieves lurk to prey on unsuspecting passengers. The best way to protect yourself and your things on the bus is to keep them close to you (not underneath the bus) and hidden at all times. That way, you don’t seem like as much of a target. Packing as light as possible can help you avoid storing your bags where you cannot see them. Bring locks for your zippers and always make sure they are zipped all the way to one side of your bag. Keep a small amount of cash on hand for purchases, and store all of your credit cards and large bills in a safe place. You’ll want to make it as difficult as possible for someone to pickpocket or rob you!

Salvador Lighthouse
Salvador Lighthouse

Be Prepared for a Long Ride

Like I mentioned before, Brazil is a massive country with tons of places to explore. Because of the vast distances between places, bus rides can be long. Very long. Though the countryside of Brazil is great for staring out the window and daydreaming, chances are that on a bus ride that can last anywhere from six to twenty hours, you may suffer from some bouts of boredom (or hunger). Some buses give out small snack boxes or water bottles, and all of them make regular stops at rest stations, but if you’re prone to getting hungry on long rides then definitely bring some food with you. And, of course, bring something to occupy your time – books and music players are always a good option.

View from Window
View from Window

Be Open to Changes

Although not frequent, you may encounter unexpected road and weather conditions while traveling, as well as the occasional protest or mechanical issues. As such, it’s good to be prepared for delays and impromptu stops, no matter the time of day. One time, my bus from São Paulo broke down, and we had to jump onto another passing bus in order to get to Rio on time. When traveling in Brazil by bus, it’s important to be ready to change your plans and be open to taking alternative routes. This way, you’ll always be ready for the surprises that Brazil’s bus system throws your way!

This post was written by Kay Rodriguez from The Kay Day. Kay has been traveling solo for over three years now, having caught the travel bug after selling her car to fund a 3-month trip spanning Central America to Southeast Asia. 

You can follow Kay’s adventures on her blog, as well as on Facebook & Twitter.

Photos by The Kay Day

Search and book your bus tickets to and from Brazil directly on Busbud.com

Have you taken the bus throughout Brazil and have some tips or fun stories you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below!