Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
GETTING TO THE MARACANÃ AND SEEING A GAME
The easiest way to reach the Maracanã is by
metrô
to Maracanã station (line 2), which has a
walkway directly to the stadium; the adjacent stations are also within easy walking distance.
Arrive in plenty of time (at least a couple of hours before kick-off ) to buy your ticket at any of
the
ticket o
ces
set in the perimeter wall. The stadium is now all-seater, with tickets costing
R$60-140. Things get frantic around the ticket o
ces before big games and if you're not there
early enough you may get stranded outside, as the kiosk attendants leave their positions as soon
as the starting whistle blows so as not to miss an early goal. For really big games, it's best to buy
your ticket in advance. The
metrô
is pretty e
cient at shifting people away fast after matches, but
of course all transport is packed, so watch your belongings in the thick crowds and, if travelling
both ways by
metrô
, buy a return ticket on the way up to avoid queuing on the way back.
Attending a
game
is one of the most extraordinary experiences Rio has to offer, even
if you don't like football, and it's worth going just for the theatrical spectacle. The
stadium looks like a futuristic colosseum, its upper stand (the
arquibancadas
) rising
almost vertically from the playing surface. Great silken banners wave across the stand,
shrouded by the smoke from fireworks, while support for each team is proclaimed by
the insistent rhythm of massed samba drums that drive the game along.
Carioca
supporters are animated to say the least, often near hysterical, but their love of the
game is infectious.
The Maracanã is open for
guided tours
, too. You'll be shown through the interesting
Museu dos Esportes
, with its extensive collection of Brazilian sporting memorabilia,
and get to see the view from the presidential box (reached by lift), wander through the
changing rooms and have a chance to tread on the hallowed turf itself.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE RIO DE JANEIRO CITY
You're most likely to
fly
into Rio or arrive by
bus
, as the city's train station is now only used for commuter services.
Be warned that opportunistic
thieves
are active at all points of arrival, so don't leave baggage unattended or
valuables exposed.
R$13) runs along the coast to Flamengo, Copacabana,
Ipanema and Leblon.
By taxi to the city centre
During the night, when these
buses don't run, a taxi ride is the only alternative. Buy a
ticket at the taxi desks, near the arrivals gate, and give it to
the driver at the taxi rank; a ticket to Centro or Flamengo
costs R$60 and to Botafogo, Copacabana or Ipanema R$80.
Most hotels and hostels can arrange an airport pick-up for
a similar price, and may even offer it for free. Above all,
don't risk accepting a lift from one of the uno
cial drivers
hanging about in the airport - robbery at their hands is far
from uncommon. The ride takes about fifteen minutes into
the centre or approximately half an hour to Zona Sul, unless
you hit rush hour.
BY PLANE
GALEÃO
Rio is served by two airports. The Aeroporto Galeão, now
o
cially called Aeroporto Internacional Antônio Carlos
Jobim (
T
21 3398 5050,
W
aeroportogaleao.net), is 20km
north of the city, serving destinations abroad and
throughout Brazil, including most state capitals.
Facilities
In the arrivals hall, you'll find tourist
information desks (24hr;
T
21 3398 4077) supplying
information about the city. Changing money is not a
problem as there are bank branches and ATMs in the
arrivals hall and on the airport's third floor. Departure
desks are split into three sections: internal Brazilian
flights from Sector A; sectors B and C for international
flights. Duty-free shops accept only US currency or credit
cards - not Brazilian
reís
.
By bus to the city centre
To reach a hotel in Centro, a/c
premium bus #2145
(daily 5.30am-9.30pm; R$11) runs
to Santos Dumont airport via Centro. City buses #324 and
#326 also link Centro with the airport, but are not a great
idea if you've just arrived with all your worldly wealth
and baggage. For the Zona Sul (Copacabana, Ipanema
and around), premium bus #2018 (daily 5.30am-11pm;
SANTOS DUMONT
Santos Dumont
airport (
T
21 3814 7070) at the north end
of the Parque do Flamengo in the city centre mainly handles
the shuttle services to and from São Paulo. The airport's
facilities include a
guarda volumes
(left luggage o
ce).
By taxi
to the city centre
Ordinary taxis (yellow with a
blue stripe) are readily available from outside the terminal
- the fare should cost around R$35 to Copacabana, more at
