If you are only staying in Brasília for a short time, there is a good chance you will not really need your own car. Between ride-share apps and taxis, getting around the city is usually fairly easy, although some options are definitely better than others. 😄

Taxis

Traditional taxis are everywhere in Brasília, especially around the airport, hotels, shopping centers, and nightlife areas. The cars are generally clean and safe, but compared to ride-share apps they can feel quite expensive.

And like in many cities around the world, if you are visibly a foreigner and clearly have no idea where you are going, there is always the possibility your “quick trip” suddenly turns into an unplanned sightseeing tour of Brasília.

One important thing to check when entering a taxi is the meter. 

Brazilian taxis use two different fare systems:

• Bandeira 1 — daytime rate (6:00 to 20:00)

• Bandeira 2 — nighttime rate (20:00 to 6:00), usually about 20% more expensive

If the driver claims the meter is broken or tries negotiating strange fixed prices without explanation, it is usually better to find another taxi.

Also worth mentioning: most taxi drivers do not speak English, so having your destination written down or using Google Maps helps a lot.

Uber and 99

Honestly, most expats and visitors in Brasília end up using Uber or 99 most of the time.

The rides are usually much cheaper than taxis, the apps allow you to follow the route in real time, and overall the experience tends to feel more predictable and less stressful, especially when you are new to the city.

Drivers are generally friendly, cars are usually clean, and surprisingly many drivers speak at least a little English. And once they realize you are a foreigner, many become genuinely curious and want to chat about where you are from and what you think about Brazil.

One funny thing about Brasília is that it is not unusual to encounter foreigners driving Uber as well, especially expats or people between jobs.

So if your driver starts enthusiastically practicing English with you during the ride, just go with it. You will probably make their day, and maybe learn something about Brasília in the process.