How to get to brazil

How to get to Brazil

It is quite obvious that air travel is not the panacea for every traveller or holidaymaker. For that reason we have collated useful information about possible routes to Brazil, including transportation types, modes of travel, that you might want to consider before you go to Brazil.

Check out our recommendations, research based on travel data and general tips and advice. Quick links sorted by routes, destinations and prices will help you to choose the right option for you. For your convenience we have divided transportation types to Brazil into different tabs so that you can see the difference in price, travel duration and travel times easier.

There is even a tab that shows combinations of air, rail and bus travel, when it makes sense, of course, so that you can save even more.

General tips on how to get to Brazil cheaper

Regardless of the complexity of your trip to Brazil, savvy travellers alway use some golden rules during trip planning. Use these tips below to make your itinerary to Brazil and save.

Flexibility with dates

Consider alternative airports or stations

Compare travel types not only the price

Return fares versus single tickets

It has been known that in the scheduled airfares a return ticket costs significantly less than two one way tickets. The same logic applies with certain ground transportation fares. Travellers booking trips to Brazil are are always advised to check return ticket prices as well as single tickets.

Using travel miles and bonus points

All ways of getting to Brazil

Getting to Brazil by air

Getting to Brazil by train

When you select a destination city in Brazil, Airinme search engine will build an itinerary with all travel types, and if a train journey makes sense we will display train prices in our results page under a separate train tab. All you need to do is select a train to Brazil option and explore relevant options.

Getting to Brazil by bus

Whether you prefer to travel to Brazil direct or take connecting options, chances are you may need a bus. Intercity bus options in Brazil or international ones should definitely be considered during trip planning to Brazil. Similarly to other travel to Brazil options, buses are displayed in a separate tab for your convenience.

To Brazil via different cities

Check the links below that will suggest you different route and connection options to Brazil. Compare times and trip duration and book the cheapest option.

How to get to Brazil

It is quite obvious that air travel is not the panacea for every traveller or holidaymaker. For that reason we have collated useful information about possible routes to Brazil, including transportation types, modes of travel, that you might want to consider before you go to Brazil.

Check out our recommendations, research based on travel data and general tips and advice. Quick links sorted by routes, destinations and prices will help you to choose the right option for you. For your convenience we have divided transportation types to Brazil into different tabs so that you can see the difference in price, travel duration and travel times easier.

There is even a tab that shows combinations of air, rail and bus travel, when it makes sense, of course, so that you can save even more.

General tips on how to get to Brazil cheaper

Regardless of the complexity of your trip to Brazil, savvy travellers alway use some golden rules during trip planning. Use these tips below to make your itinerary to Brazil and save.

Flexibility with dates

Consider alternative airports or stations

Compare travel types not only the price

Return fares versus single tickets

It has been known that in the scheduled flights a return ticket costs significantly less than two one way tickets. The same logic applies with certain ground transportation fares. Travellers booking trips to Brazil are are always advised to check return ticket prices as well as single tickets.

Using travel miles and bonus points

All ways of getting to Brazil

Getting to Brazil by air

Getting to Brazil by train

When you select a destination city in Brazil, Airinme search engine will build an itinerary with all travel types, and if a train journey makes sense we will display train prices in our results page under a separate train tab. All you need to do is select a train to Brazil option and explore relevant options.

Getting to Brazil by bus

Whether you prefer to travel to Brazil direct or take connecting options, chances are you may need a bus. Intercity bus options in Brazil or international ones should definitely be considered during trip planning to Brazil. Similarly to other travel to Brazil options, buses are displayed in a separate tab for your convenience.

To Brazil via different cities

Check the links below that will suggest you different route and connection options to Brazil. Compare times and trip duration and book the cheapest option.

How To Move To Brazil

Interested in moving to Brazil? This is our simple Brazil Immigration Guide, containing all the info you need to get started. From getting a visa to finding work and (eventual) citizenship – it’s all here. Read on!

Brazil: Quick Facts

Practical Information

Why move to Brazil

Reasons not to move to Brazil

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

Getting a Visa and Finding Work

In order to enter Brazil, you must hold a valid passport that will not expire in the next 6 months. A visa is required for most foreign nationals. Tourist and business visas are usually issued on arrival (to most nationalities), and are valid for 90 days. Most other visa applications are typically done through a Brazilian embassy or consulate abroad.

Note: certain neighboring countries (such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) have bilateral agreements with Brazil – nationals from these countries are not required to obtain a visa to enter Brazil. Many European residents can also enter without a visa, though a valid passport is required.

The most common visa types are:

Permanent Residency and Citizenship

In order to become a permanent resident of Brazil, foreigners must complete the following requirements:

Citizenship: foreigners who have lived in Brazil for an uninterrupted period of 15 years can apply for Brazilian citizenship, provided that they have no criminal record. However, foreigners who (1) have permanent residence in Brazil, (2) have lived in Brazil for an uninterrupted period of 4 years, (3) are able to speak and write Portuguese, and (4) can prove they have the resources necessary to support themselves may apply after 4 years. Those who have a Brazilian spouse, parent, or child, or who are nationals of a Portuguese-speaking country may apply after just one year of residency. Children born in Brazil to foreign parents are automatically awarded Brazilian citizenship.

Starting a Business in Brazil

Brazil has developed a reputation for being a difficult place to start a business (especially for for individuals and foreigners). If you have your permanent visa, this process might be a little easier. The following is a (basic) list of requirements for starting a business in Brazil:

This process generally takes at least 60 days. You will have to retain a Brazilian lawyer, who should be able to help you choose the best structure for your business and identify the legal documents required. In any case, it is recommended that foreigners employ the services of a professional experienced in assisting entrepreneurs in business setup.

How to move to Brazil: full guide for Americans

Gabriela Peratello

With a vibrant and diverse culture, jaw dropping natural wonders, fun filled festivals and friendly people, it’s no wonder Brazil is a popular expat destination. Whether you’re moving to boost your career, looking to explore a new city and country, or heading to Brazil for studies, you’re in for an epic adventure.

This guide runs through all you need to know about moving to Brazil from the USA. We’ll cover the practicalities of life in Brazil, the costs of living to prepare for, and where you might choose to live. To help you save money when you live, work or study abroad, we’ll also touch on Wise low cost international transfers — the faster, cheaper and more convenient way to get your money moving.

Brazil quick facts

Things to know before moving to Brazil

Moving to Brazil from the USA: can you do it?

Yes. You can move to Brazil from the US as long as you have the correct visa in place.

While US citizens don’t need a visa to enter Brazil for tourism or short term business trips, if you intend to establish residence in Brazil you’ll need to get your visa arranged in advance¹. You can do this through your closest Brazilian consulate. Full listings of the types of visa that are available can be found online — we’ll also touch on your options in a little more detail later.

Moving to Brazil with family

Brazil can be a great place to live with your family. In Brazilian culture, families are typically close-knit, with multiple generations living together or relatively close to each other where possible.

There’s plenty for kids to do, fun travel opportunities, and there are a range of great international schools in the major cities if you’d like your children to follow the US curriculum. The main downside is probably travel time back to the US when you want to visit family and friends back home.

One important point to note about moving to Brazil with family is that under Brazilian law, any children holding a Brazilian passport must have permission from both parents to leave the country. If your child is traveling with only one parent, written permission from the other parent is required.

These rules don’t technically apply to children holding foreign passports — but there have been cases of families running into delays and complications on the border when trying to travel without both parents present².

Can you move to Brazil with pets?

You can move to Brazil with a cat or dog without needing a specific import permit. Other animals require advance permission to enter the country. Full requirements for all animals include an International Veterinary Certificate or approved Pet Passport and rabies vaccination³.

Cost of living in Brazil

The costs of your life in Brazil will depend a lot on where you choose to call home, how you like to spend your time, and your personal preferences. Overall costs of living in Brazil can be lower than in the USA, with life in smaller towns and rural areas cheaper than in the major cities. Let’s take a look at a few countries’ average costs to build a picture. We’ll look at some popular expat destinations in Brazil a little later.

How much does it cost to move to Brazil?

Once you’ve established a basic budget for daily life in Brazil, you’ll need to plan for one off costs involved with the more itself.

The cost of moving to Brazil will vary depending on how you make your arrangements and exactly where you’re coming from. However, some key items to factor in include:

How to move your stuff to Brazil

Moving to Brazil probably means you’ll need to take more than just your suitcase. However, shipping your entire household can be expensive and time consuming. Many people choose to sell or offload a lot of their larger items before making the move, keeping things simple to cut the overall costs.

Send money to Brazil with a secure Wise transfer

If you’re moving to Portugal you’ll need simple, cheap ways to pay for your shipping, cover a rental deposit, and manage your daily life using euros. Cut the costs of currency exchange and sending money to Brazil with Wise.

Wise international transfers are fast, secure, and could save you 6x compared to sending with your normal bank.

Transfers always use the mid-market exchange rate, low, transparent fees, and you can get started online or in the Wise app for convenience.

What is it like to live in Brazil? The basics

Let’s look at some practicalities of moving to Brazil. We’ll dive right into what it’s like to live and work there, and get into the details of some dream destinations in just a moment.

Housing

Housing is always going to be a major budget item, no matter where in the world you choose to live. And like everywhere else, the costs of accommodation in Brazil can vary a lot depending on where you want to live and the type of home you’d prefer. On average, though, accommodation in Brazil is cheaper than in the US, and there’s a good range of options for every price point.

Renting

The costs of renting a place in Brazil can vary enormously based on where you choose to live. The biggest cities and financial hubs — like São Paulo for example — can be pricey compared to smaller cities, and even the capital Brasilia.

Average rental prices for a one bedroom apartment in the city center in Brasilia are around 375 USD/month — in São Paulo you’ll pay over 500 USD on average⁶. It’s worth noting you can bring down the costs of rent b y looking outside the center, or choosing a smaller city like Curitiba instead.

To get your rental set up you’ll almost always need proof of income. If you’re moving to Brazil for work you’ll probably need to get temporary accommodation set up at first, to give you time to get all the paperwork together to arrange your longer term rental agreement.

Buying property in Brazil as an expat

There are a few restrictions on foreigners buying beachfront and rural properties in Brazil — but outside of these rules, you’ll be free to buy a home in Brazil if you’d like to.

The only specific requirement is that you’ll need to have a CPF number, which requires you to register with the Brazilian authorities. This is a tax registration number which allows you to legally own the property — you can get a CPF in Brazil or through a Brazilian embassy abroad.

The health care system in Brazil

Brazilian citizens and legal residents can access free public healthcare. However, it’s important to know that services can be underfunded in some areas which may mean delays for treatment.

It’s very common to have private healthcare cover in addition, to make sure you can always access the care you need when you need it. Private healthcare in Brazil is relatively expensive, but considered to be of very high quality.

Banking and taxation

Brazil has a developed banking system with a good range of accounts available. It’s common to need your CPF number before you can get your account open, which will usually mean you can’t open a Brazilian bank account until you’ve arrived in the country.

Personal income tax in Brazil is managed on a progressive system, with rates running from 7.5% to 27.5%⁷.

Education

The school year in Brazil usually runs from February through to December, with main holidays in July and January. Public schools in Brazil are free, but the quality can vary significantly.

That means that most expats in Brazil send their kids to private or international schools, which may include schools running the US curriculum and exam frameworks.

Transportation

If you’re in a major city in Brazil you’ll usually find there’s a decent public transportation network including buses and often a metro. While many expats do choose to drive — or have a personal driver — congestion in the city centers can be frustrating and lead to long commute times.

It’s worth considering the journeys you’ll need to make regularly when you choose accommodation — being close to your school or work will always be a bonus.

Quality of life in Brazil

Expats living in Brazil tend to have a good quality of life. However, it’s worth knowing that high levels of income inequality in Brazil does mean that some populations rank poorly on quality of life scores⁸.

Expats who have already made the leap to live in Brazil report enjoying life thanks to friendly locals and an active expat community, great places to travel and explore, vibrant festivals and plenty of cultural activities to get involved in.

Culture and people

Brazil is commonly described as a cultural melting pot, which leads to high levels of diversity with traditional and more recent festivals, celebrations and customs all marked. Modern Brazilian culture has elements derived from Portuguese colonization, with influences from indigenous cultures and multiple waves of migrants over the years.

Generally Brazilian people are considered to be friendly and welcoming. People are sociable and like to spend time together, eating and hanging out.

Safety

The State Department warns that crime — including violent crime — rates in Brazil are high in most big cities in Brazil.

That means you need to exercise caution and remain aware of your surroundings at all times. There are also some areas which the State Department advises against traveling to, including favelas, border regions and rural areas after dark⁹.

Most people traveling to Brazil have a completely trouble free time — but as with anywhere, there are risks which you’ll want to be aware of. Read up on recent travel advice before you move to Brazil, and get to know which areas are safe in your local area.

Moving to Brazil as an American: immigration requirements

As a US citizen you won’t need a visa to enter Brazil for a short trip. However, if you intend to establish residency you’ll need to apply for a visa based on your intended activities. The relevant visas are likely to be VITEM type visas, which cover work, study, investment, volunteering and other activities you might get involved with in Brazil.

Each visa type has its own requirements — as an example, if you’re applying for the VITEM V Visa which covers people who want to work in Brazil you’ll need to have a job lined up before you get started. Your employer will have to apply for your residence permit through the Ministry of Labor, and once this has been approved you can submit your application to the Brazilian consulate closest to your home.

Permanent residency and Brazilian citizenship

There are a number of different routes to get Brazilian permanent residency (known as a permanent visa — VIPER for short). You may be eligible if¹¹:

Permanent residency based on family ties may be arranged before you move to Brazil. However, for all other reasons you’ll usually need to have lived in Brazil for a year before you can make your application.

Best cities to live in Brazil as an expat

Hopefully you’re getting excited about moving to Brazil from the US now — let’s take a closer look at a few popular expat destinations.

São Paulo

São Paulo is the financial capital of Brazil, and a great place for people moving to Brazil for work. As well as some great career opportunities, it’s a fun city with great entertainment, places to eat and drink, and decent infrastructure.

It’s also one of the most expensive places in the country. Renting a one bed apartment will cost on average about 500 USD a month in the city center with significantly higher costs for some places, although you can cut the costs to around 300 USD a month by looking outside of the center.

Florianópolis

Beaches, watersports and great weather are what bring many tourists to Florianópolis — and something you’ll get to experience plenty of if you choose to live there permanently. The opportunities for time outdoors and fun activities make this a popular pick for people moving to Brazil with family especially.

Curitiba

Curitiba is known as a city of the arts, with venues like the Botanical Garden and the Oscar Niemeyer Museum — which hosts a variety of national and international art exhibits. It’s a relatively small city by Brazilian standards, making it a fairly easy place to live and navigate.

Rental prices in Curitiba are much lower than in some other major cities — you’ll pay around 300 USD a month for a one bed apartment in the center, compared to 400 USD a month in Florianópolis for example¹².

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is another top pick — especially for people moving to Brazil for work. It’s a colorful place with a very rich and diverse culture, great beaches and facilities for outdoor activities.

As a large city there are plenty of choices for accommodation and schools, making it easy to settle in — but be warned, it can be expensive!

Summary: moving to Brazil from USA

Moving to Brazil from the USA is a big decision. However, if you’re looking for an adventure you’ll love the chance to learn about a new place, meet friendly people, and explore a different culture. Remember these key steps to make sure everything goes smoothly — and good luck!

Sources:

Sources checked on 03.28.2022

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

How to get to Brazil

Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts

Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts

Unless you’re entering Brazil overland from a neighbouring country, you’ll almost certainly arrive by air. Airfares always depend on the season: specific dates vary between airlines, but high season is generally July and August, then again mid-December to Christmas Day; low season is any other time. Fares don’t normally rise over Carnaval (Feb–March), but getting a seat at this time can be difficult. Airline competition is fierce, however, and offers are often available.

Continue reading to find out more about.

The internet is rapidly making specialist travel agents less of an essential first stop, but you may want to use one if you prefer to book your first few days’ accommodation before you arrive or you’re looking for a tailor-made package. Apart from discounted tickets, it’s worth checking fares directly with the airlines that fly to Brazil; they frequently offer competitive fares, especially during low season, although these may carry certain restrictions such as having to spend at least seven days abroad (maximum stay three months).

If you plan to do a fair amount of travelling within Brazil, think about buying a TAM air pass with your main ticket, available whether or not you fly your international legs on TAM – though the price will be higher if you arrive with a different airline. Depending on your itinerary, it can save you a lot of money, but can only be bought outside South America. For more information, see Getting around for details of the various options.

From the US and Canada

There are numerous gateways to Brazil in the US and Canada; direct flights leave from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orlando, Washington and Toronto. TAM is the only Brazilian carrier serving the US at present, while the North American airlines are American, Air Canada, Continental, Delta and United; Japan Airlines and Korean Air also carry passengers between the US and Brazil. Most flights go to either Rio or São Paulo; if you want to fly anywhere else, your options are limited to TAM from Miami to Manaus, Belém, Recife, Belo Horizonte and Salvador; American, also from Miami, to Belo Horizonte; and Delta from Atlanta to Fortaleza, Manaus and Recife, although Copa will fly you to Manaus via Panama if you want to focus your trip on the Amazon. If your ultimate destination is somewhere other than these cities, it is usually best to connect in Rio or São Paulo.

Excursion-fare ticket prices vary depending on your length of stay in Brazil: count on spending at least US$150 more for a ticket valid for up to three months than a ticket for up to one month. Fares to Rio and São Paulo are almost always the same. Excursion fares are around US$1000 out of New York, US$900 out of Miami; for unrestricted fares, add at least US$400.

It’s worth going to some trouble to avoid São Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, where queues can be nightmarish and the airport layout is extraordinarily confusing. Even if you have what on paper looks like a direct flight to Rio, make sure that it doesn’t stop at São Paulo on the way, where you will almost always have to deplane and hang around for a weary couple of hours, or even change planes to Rio – take care with TAM on this, since they are ruthless about shunting international passengers onto domestic connections in São Paulo even if your ticket is to Rio.

Flights via other countries

For slightly cheaper fares (but longer flight times), or if you’re tempted to break your journey, it’s worth checking out what the national airlines of Brazil’s South American neighbours have to offer. Aerolíneas Argentinas, for instance, flies to Rio and São Paulo from Miami and New York via Buenos Aires. Others routings worth investigating include travelling via Bogotá with Avianca, Panama with Copa Airlines, Lima with LAN Peru and Santiago with LAN Chile. If you can get yourself to Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, or Santa Cruz in Bolivia, the Brazilian no-frills airline Gol has cheap onward fares to Rio and São Paulo. If you do route yourself via another South American country, however, you may need a vaccination certificate for yellow fever.

If you plan on travelling in other South American countries besides Brazil, the TAM South American Airpass is a good-value option.

From the UK and Ireland

There are plenty of choices of carrier to Brazil from the UK, with São Paulo and Rio being the usual points of arrival. If your ultimate destination is neither of these cities, it is usually best to connect in Rio, or connect with a flight on the continent, where your options are TAM to Recife from Paris, or TAP via Lisbon to Recife, Salvador, Fortaleza, Natal, Belo Horizonte and Brasília. If you only want to go to the Amazon, Manaus via Miami with TAM is your best bet, but it’s unlikely to be cheaper or quicker than a flight to Rio or São Paulo and then a connection north.

British Airways and TAM operate direct flights to Brazil from the UK; despite BA having newer planes and a much higher level of service, their official fares are usually very similar, starting at around £700 return to Rio or São Paulo in low season, £900 high season (July, Aug & Dec 14–25). With these tickets, return dates are in theory fixed, but once in Brazil both airlines will allow you to change the date (within 30 days) for a fee of around £75. You can usually get the same tickets through websites and specialist travel agencies at reduced prices; fares are sometimes as little as £500 in low season, rising to around £800 for high-season departures. The cheapest fares, however, are often offered on routes via Europe – with Air France via Paris, TAP via Lisbon, Iberia via Madrid or Lufthansa via Frankfurt, all to both Rio and São Paulo. Other inexpensive options to São Paulo include Alitalia via Milan, KLM via Amsterdam and Swiss Airlines via Zurich. Prices tend to be the same whether you begin your journey in London or at one of the UK’s regional airports.

As Brazil is such a large country, an open-jaw ticket – flying into one city and leaving from another – may, according to your itinerary, make sense. Rio and São Paulo offer most airline possibilities, but flying with TAP broadens your options, including also Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife and Salvador.

There are no direct flights from Ireland to Brazil: connect via London or other European capitals. The best deals are available from budget or student travel agents in Ireland, but it’s also worth contacting specialist agents in England for cheap fares, an unusual route or a package.

Other ticket options

Several airlines offer stopovers to or from Brazil at no extra cost. Apart from the airlines with European transit points already mentioned, stopover possibilities most commonly involve the US. United Airlines via Washington or Chicago is generally the least expensive option (around £550 low season, £800 high season) with good deals also sometimes available with American Airlines via Miami, Continental via Newark or Houston, Delta via Atlanta or Air Canada via Toronto.

Combining Brazil with a longer trip in the southern hemisphere, or putting together a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket, is possible but expensive. The most popular ticket option is a one-way to Sydney via Brazil and Argentina and a separate ticket back to London via Southeast Asia or North America. Another possibility is onward to Johannesburg from São Paulo on South African Airways.

From Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

The best deals and fastest routing to Brazil from Australasia are offered by Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Chile. There are fewer options flying via the US, flights take longer and the tickets are more expensive. Round-the-World fares that include South America tend to cost more than other RTW options, but can be worthwhile if you have the time to make the most of a few stopovers.

From Australia, flights to South America leave from Sydney. The most direct route is with Aerolíneas Argentinas, which flies via Auckland to Buenos Aires, from where there are good connections direct to Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, Rio and São Paulo. LAN Chile has a weekly direct flight via Auckland to Santiago, with connections to Rio or São Paulo. More long-winded, there are twice-weekly connections via Papeete and Easter Island with Air New Zealand and LAN Chile to Santiago. Travelling through the US, United Airlines, American Airlines or Delta can fly you to São Paulo or Rio via either Los Angeles or San Francisco and Atlanta or Miami. From New Zealand, you can pick up one of the United, Aerolíneas Argentinas or Air New Zealand/LAN Chile flights in Auckland.

In general, fares depend on the duration of stay, rather than the season – cut-off points when flying via Chile and Argentina are 35 days, 45 days, 90 days, 6 months and 1 year; flying via the US they are 21 days, 45 days and 180 days – but bear in mind that availability is a problem during Christmas and Carnaval (Dec–March). On the more direct routes with Aerolíneas Argentinas you should be able to get a return fare for A$2400/NZ$2600. Flying via Santiago with LAN Chile, you can expect to pay around A$3100/NZ$3300, while fares via the US will be at least A$3500/NZ$3700.

An open-jaw ticket can work out to be a convenient option. Flying into Rio and out of São Paulo (or vice versa) on Aerolíneas Argentinas or LAN Chile, for example, won’t cost you any more than a straight through-fare to Rio.

From South Africa, Brazil can be reached directly from Johannesburg with South African Airlines to São Paulo. For indirect flights, your best option is Malaysian Airlines from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Buenos Aires and a separate onward ticket to a Brazilian destination. Also worth investigating are flights with TAAG Angolan Airlines from Johannesburg to Rio via Luanda.