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.

Airport Guides

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.

Travelling to Brazil 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.