In Rio there are a number of public transportation options. These include city bus, executive bus (Frescao), subway (metro), van and even a Ferry service.
City Bus
City bus is a very inexpensive form of travel which costs about R$2.10 to ride. They come in both non air conditioned (R$2.10) and air conditioned versions (R$2.25 - R$2.40). In past years, city buses suffered from criminals targeting the passengers but they are safer these days. During the day, it is a decent transportation option if you know the routes and are in safer areas of the city. However, they are not as safe at night.
Executive Bus (Frescao)
There is also another type of local bus called the Frescao. This bus runs on a route from Centro through Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and to Leblon (and vice versa). It is more upscale/comfortable and is air conditioned and costs R$3.50. However, it is only available during the week. The buses also run more frequently during the rush hours in the morning and evening. Going in the direction of Centro, the bus can be flagged down on the beach road (Buses with plaques showing "Castelo"). Coming from Centro, the bus starts off from the Menezes Cortes garage and runs on a road parallel to the beach (but one or two blocks in). It runs on Barata Ribeiro through Copacabana, Prudente de Morais through Ipanema and Av. General San Martin through Leblon. Well you do have the executive buses going every where in Rio de Janeiro and not just on the rush hours but all the time during week period. Is very easy and safier to get the executive buses than the regular one, special if you are a tourist in the city. And the price do vary depending on the distancy that it is going, for an exemplo is not the same price to go Copacabana from the Downtown as to go to Barra da Tijuca or Recreio from Downtown.
Subway (Metro)
Rio has a good subway service that serves a number of areas central to the Centro. There are three stops in Copacabana ("Cardeal Arcoverde", in the beginning; "Siqueira Campos", four blocks from the beach and about one third of the way down; and "Cantagalo", in the end of Copacabana, near Arpoador). At "Siqueira Campos" station, you can take special subway-buses to Ipanema, Leblon, Gavea and Barra da Tijuca. At "Botafogo" station, you can take the subway-bus to Gavea, going through Jardim Botanico. In order to take these buses, you should mention, at the time of the subway ticket purchase, that you want to take the "Metro na superficie" and inform your final destination. The vendor will give you a ticket to the subway-bus along with your subway ticket, no cost added.
Van
Rio also has lots of vans which are generally privately owned. This is a very cheap option with many different routes. It is not advisable for tourists to use these as many are not licensed.
Ferry Boat
The sister city to Rio and on the other side of Guanabara Bay is Niteroi. There are quite a few people who live in Niteroi and commute to Rio to work. There are several ferry services that operate between the Rio Centro (Praca Maua) and several points in Niteroi including the Centro and more toward the beach area past Niteroi (Charitas). There is a traditional boat as well as several "fast cat" hydrofoil boats. The price is about R$5.
