The short answer
The cable car station is at Avenida Pasteur 520 in the Urca district, next to Praia Vermelha. The simplest public route is the metro to Botafogo, then a bus to Urca, then a short walk.
Buy your ticket before you travel. The entry time you choose applies to boarding, and a sold-out time slot online is not available at the ticket office either. Prices, hours and discounts are in our guide to Sugarloaf cable car tickets.
Ways to get there compared
What each option involves.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Metro plus bus 513 | Metro to Botafogo, exit E, then bus 513 to UNIRIO and a 260 m walk | Simplest public route |
| Direct bus | Lines 107 Central-Urca, 513SP Urca-Metrô Botafogo or 167 Terminal Gentileza-Urca | Check the current variant at the stop |
| Taxi or ride app | Give the address Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca | Ask for the fare estimate in the app before you ride |
| Guided tour | Pickup at selected hotels, with the ride included in some options | No need to plan the route yourself |
| Own car | Park with the partner car park and keep the ticket | No park-and-ride lot at the station |
| Ferry from Niterói | Ferry to Praça XV, then another transfer | The ferry does not stop in Urca |
For most visitors, the metro plus bus 513 is the best value, and a taxi or ride app is the easiest choice with luggage, with children or after dark. If you prefer not to organise anything, a guided trip with pickup is the simplest. See our Sugarloaf tours.
Our pick: transfer included
This sunrise visit includes the transfer from hotels in Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema and Leblon, so you do not have to work out the way there.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sugarloaf tours with pickup and tickets
Guided visits, city tours and Christ the Redeemer combinations, with live prices and availability.
By metro and bus, step by step
The public route from anywhere on the metro network.
1. Metro to Botafogo
Take the metro to Botafogo. The public fare on lines 1, 2 and 4 is BRL 7.90 as of 2026.
2. Exit E, Mena Barreto
Leave the station through exit E, Mena Barreto, and walk to the bus terminus on Rua Voluntários da Pátria.
3. Bus 513 to UNIRIO
Take bus 513 to the stop at UNIRIO. The name is written 513, SP-513 or 513SP in different places. It is one service, not three.
4. Walk 260 m
From UNIRIO it is a short walk to the station on Avenida Pasteur. You will see the cable car terminal next to Praia Vermelha.
City bus timetables change, so check the next departure when you board. If you plan to walk the forest trail instead of riding the first stage, see our Sugarloaf hike guide.
By car and parking
The cable car has no park-and-ride lot of its own. There is a partner car park with a special rate of BRL 20 for up to 6 hours, valid when you bought the ticket online and park on the day of your visit. Take the paper ticket from the machine even if the barrier is automatic. Show both the parking ticket and your cable car ticket when you pay. Vans, buses and lorries are not accepted.
Parking partners can change, so check the current offer when you buy the ticket. If you do not want to park in Urca, a taxi or ride app drops you at the station address.
From Niterói by ferry
Useful as a first leg, but not a direct link.
The public ferry between Praça Arariboia in Niterói and Praça XV in the centre of Rio costs BRL 5.00 per trip and takes up to 22 minutes. It is a regular public service, not a guided sightseeing cruise, and it does not stop in Urca. From Praça XV you need a metro, bus or taxi transfer. For a boat trip that passes Sugarloaf, see our Guanabara Bay cruise guide.
Entry rules and safety for travellers
Two things to settle before you fly.
Visa
Passport holders from the United States, Canada and Australia have needed a visitor visa since 10 April 2025, applied for as an e-visa. The e-visa application fee is USD 80.90 in 2026. Do not rely on a fixed processing time. German citizens can visit visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days within six months. Other passports follow other rules, so check yours before you book.
Safety on the way
Theft and robbery happen in Rio, also in daytime, so pay extra attention after dark. Avoid walking on the beach at night and do not resist if you are robbed. Keep your phone and valuables out of sight. More in our sister guide to safety in Rio.
Getting to Sugarloaf Mountain: frequently asked questions
What is the address of the Sugarloaf cable car?
Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca, Rio de Janeiro. The station is next to Praia Vermelha.
Which metro station is closest?
Botafogo. Use exit E, Mena Barreto, then take bus 513 to UNIRIO and walk 260 m.
Can I take the ferry from Niterói to Sugarloaf?
Not directly. The ferry arrives at Praça XV in central Rio. From there you need a metro, bus or taxi transfer to Urca.
Is there parking at the cable car?
There is no park-and-ride lot at the station. A partner car park offers BRL 20 for up to 6 hours with an online cable car ticket, and the offer can change. Vans, buses and lorries are excluded.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
US, Canadian and Australian passport holders need a visa since 10 April 2025. German citizens can visit for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days within six months. Check the rules for your own passport.
Is this the official Sugarloaf website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the cable car operator, the city or a tourism board, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.