Brazil
General train travel information for BRAZIL. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
Railway passenger transportation in Brazil has a long history, starting in the 19th century. The railways initially served for coal transportation but quickly expanded to include passenger services. The first passenger railway line connecting Petropolis and Rio de Janeiro was opened in 1854. Over the years, the railway network expanded, becoming a major mode of transportation. However, with the growth of automobiles and aviation, railway passenger transport declined. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in developing and modernizing Brazil's railway system. The government is investing in projects to improve connectivity and sustainability, including high-speed trains and regional routes. These initiatives aim to enhance transportation options and alleviate road and airport congestion.
General Information and Statistics
One of Brazil's largest rail companies – Vale. More than 1 million passengers use Vale's services every year
Total length of railway tracks 29303 km. The 533 railway stations in Brazil. Most of the railway tracks and stations are used for freight trains
Only 1,520 km out of a total of 29,303 km are electrified.
What connections to other countries there are.
There is no international rail transport in Brazil. Brazil is not currently connected to other countries by rail.
Are trains fast in Brazil in general? How much time to cross the country?
In general, trains in Brazil are not characterized by high speeds. Historically, the country's rail system has focused more on freight traffic than passenger traffic. As a result, passenger trains in Brazil tend to run at moderate speeds compared to high-speed trains in some other countries.
What railway companies are available?
Vale: Vale is primarily a mining company, but it also operates long-distance passenger trains in certain regions, mainly for tourist purposes.
These are some of the prominent railway companies in Brazil, providing transportation services to millions of passengers every year.
There are also companies such as CPTM (São Paulo metropolitan area), SuperVia (Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region), Metrô Rio (manages the metro system in Rio de Janeiro), Metrô São Paulo (manages the metro system in São Paulo), Trensurb (operates the Metro system in Porto Alegre)
What train types are available in Brazil
Here are some of the types of trains commonly found in the country:
Suburban trains: Suburban trains, also known as commuter trains, run in major metropolitan areas such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre.
Subway systems: Brazil has subway systems in cities such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and Recife.
Regional trains: Regional trains run on longer routes, connecting cities and towns within a certain region.
Long-distance trains: There are a limited number of long-distance passenger trains in Brazil, mainly provided by companies such as Vale.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
It is important to note that high-speed trains are not currently operating in Brazil, although there are plans and discussions regarding the introduction of high-speed rail projects in the future.
Most important train stations / hubs.
Here are some of the most important train stations in Brazil:
São Paulo – Estação da Luz
Rio de Janeiro – Central do Brasil
Porto Alegre – Estação Mercado
Belo Horizonte – Estação Central
Curitiba – Rodoferroviária
Websites to buy train tickets for Brazil?
https://tremdepassageiros.vale.com/sgpweb/portal/index.html#/home
Possible to buy a ticket at a Country railway station?
You can buy tickets up to 30 business days before travel at points of sale, at train stations or on the internet. You cannot buy a ticket on the day of travel.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
There is no such option.
Return the ticket.
You can cancel your trip up to six hours before the train departure, with a 5% penalty. Changing the travel date can be done within one year of the ticket purchase date. The fine is 20% of the ticket value and is charged from three hours before the train departure.
Train ticket prices
Ticket prices are fixed, with discounts for children, seniors, the disabled and Low-Income Youth.
A trip from Belo Horizonte to Cariacica costs 14 EUR in economy class and 20 EUR in business class.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
Brazil has no connections to neighboring countries by train.
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://www.vale.com/passenger-train
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
Ticket prices are fixed.
Tickets may be acquired no later than one day before the day of travel. You cannot buy a ticket to travel on the same day.
Types of tickets.
Normal Ticket, Elderly Person’s Ticket, Disabled Person’s Ticket, Low-Income Youth Ticket
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Brazil
Interrail/Eurail Passes are not available in Brazil
Saver price.
Ticket prices are fixed. It is cheapest to travel for people with disabilities, children, pensioners and young people with low incomes
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Ticket prices are fixed.
Flexible tickets.
Flexible tickets are not available in Brazil
Rules of boarding.
Non-Brazilians need to show their passport in order to board. This is the only document accepted, except in the case of passengers from Mercosul member countries.
Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and their ID and a document proving their relationship must be presented.
Discounts for group travel.
You can book an excursion for more than 20 people with a registered guide through the Vale excursion channel. You must write a letter (to excursoes.efvm@vale.com ) at least 30 days before the day of the trip.
Age groups and discounts.
Children up to five years of age travel for free, but they must sit on their parent or guardian’s lap. Only one child may travel for free in this way per paying passenger. Children aged six and older pay the full fare. For babies or infants in car seats, you must buy a ticket for an extra seat on the train.
The Elderly Charter provides two free seats in economy class on each train for passengers aged 60 and older. If these seats are already occupied, eligible passengers can purchase a ticket at a 50% discount. ID and proof of income must be presented both when purchasing the ticket and on the day of travel.
For passengers between 15 and 29 years old who belong to a family with a monthly income of up to two minimum wages and are registered in the Federal Government Social Programs Registry (CadÚnico) there are two free seats on each train. If these seats are already occupied, eligible passengers can buy a ticket at a 50% discount.
Age limitations for minors.
Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and their ID and a document proving their relationship must be presented.
Children aged six years and older pay the full fare. Children aged up to five years ride for free
Handicapped passengers.
People with disabilities who have a federal government disabled person’s card are eligible for free economy class travel
The Vitória-Minas Railroad’s passenger trains have an exclusive railcar for people in wheelchairs and those accompanying them, as well as two free seats. Economy class cars have a seat suitable for people with limited mobility, obese people and pregnant women.
People with hearing impairments also have a special passenger train communications channel. Call 0800 021 9934 to find out specific information about procedures.
Seat reservations in Country trains.
In the existence of sections, at the section points duly authorized for boarding passengers, the reservation of seats shall be available until the time defined for the starting point of the line
Comfort classes on the trains.
You can choose from three travel classes:
Executive
Three seats per row, individual power sockets, reading light, individual audio system, footrest. The seats are wider, more comfortable and can recline more.
Economy
Four seats per row, one power socket for every two seats. The seats can recline a little.
Railcar for people with disabilities
There is an exclusive railcar for people in wheelchairs.
Food and drink in Brazil trains / train restaurant.
The trains have a dining car and buffet car. There is also a food and drink trolley service. In the dining car, you can order items such as hamburgers, pizzas, sausage sandwiches, fried snacks and cheese breads, as well as drinks.
Night trains in Brazil?
There are no night trains in Brazil
Important train routes in Brazil.
Vila Velha – Fundão, Espírito Santo / 0:46 hours / from 3.6 EUR / 1 train per day
Belo Horizonte – Flexal / 12:41 hours / from 10,00 EUR / 1 train per day
São Luis – Parauapebas / 15:50 hours / from 12,80 EUR / 3 trains per week (Monday, Thursday, Saturday)
Ouro Preto to Mariana / 1:00 hours / from 3,60 EUR / Services may be temporarily reduced or suspended.
International train routes.
Brazil has no connections to neighboring countries by train.
Tourist / scenic routes in Brazil.
How about taking a trip aboard a train that is the result of the revitalization of an old railroad built in 1883?
From 2004 to 2006, Vale revitalized the old 18 km long railroad built in 1883, between Ouro Preto and Mariana. Today, the train consists of 6 passenger railroad cars and keeps the same design as the old one, with wooden interiors. Through its transparent structure, passengers can have a full view of the landscapes along the way in a beautiful journey through time.
In Mariana, you can also visit Loco 201, which is exposed next to the Railroad Station. It was manufactured by Skoda in 1949 and ran at a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour (km/h).
At Ouro Preto Station, another locomotive is on display: the Brigardier, also known as Máquina 3. Built in Germany and used for military work during the First World War, it was later bought by the Brazilian government and used to transport loads from potteries and quarries.
Tourist train to the Christ the Redeemer Monument, Tijuca National Park.
Located on top of Mount Corcovado in Tijuca National Park, the monument is the most famous illustration of Brazil in the world.
Each year more than 600,000 people are taken to Christ the Redeemer by the century-old Corcovado Railway, the oldest tourist trip in the country.
Luggage information.
Only one suitcase and one bag for personal use is permitted per passenger. You may not take perishable food on board with you.
Bicycle on the train.
No official information could be found
Ski or snowboard on the train.
No official information could be found
Luggage lockers on the stations in Brazil.
Some train stations in major Brazilian cities have private companies that deal with luggage lockers.
For example, the luggage storage at Luz Railway Station where you can instantly reserve a luggage storage space for 5.70 eur/day.
Or the luggage storage in the Central Station of Brazil, where you can store your belongings for 5.40 euro/day
Lost and Found Items.
There is no official information on the website
If you have any queries, suggestions or complaints about the Vitória-Minas Railroad’s passenger train service, you can call our exclusive “Alô Ferroviais” train helpline on 0800 285 7000.
It’s a 24/7 direct community communications channel and calls are free. Among other things, you can find out the arrival and departure times of trains.
The passenger train service also has a communications channel for people with hearing impairments: 0800 021 9934.
Pets on the trains.
Passengers may not take any animals on board, except guide dogs.
Guide dogs travel for free, alongside their owner and under their control, in the front row. Guide dogs must be equipped with a harness, though a muzzle is not necessary. They must have an ID card and ID tag issued by a guide dog training center or independent instructor, containing the following information:
select city
Do you have further questions and need assistance? Do not hesitate to ask in our friendly forum where you always get detailed help.
