Distance 105 km (65.6 miles) | |
Price range US$25-US$212 | |
Ride Duration Range 4h-4h 45m | |
Earliest Departure 08:15 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest bus: 4h
Cheapest bus: US$25
After all that partying in Rio de Janeiro, your body, mind, and liver could probably use a little break. The idyllic beauty of Ilha Grande is the R&R you need.
In four to five hours, you’ll go from one extreme to the other.
There are four ways to make the journey — some are smoother, and some are cheaper.
You can take a:
Bus
Bus + ferry
Van + ferry
Car + ferry
At the end of the day, your decision will come down to budget and convenience.
For an island, there are a lot of things to do, but this list offers a little bit of everything — nature, culture and history — all in one list.
Explore Vila do Abraão. The island’s main town is full of charm, with sandy streets, beachfront restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Enjoy fresh seafood, sip caipirinhas, and experience live music and dancing at the local bars in the evening.
Hike or boat to Lopes Mendes Beach. Discover why it’s constantly touted as one of Brazil’s most stunning beaches — which says a lot. Its powdery white sand and crystal-clear water can be reached by boat or a scenic 2- to 3-hour jungle hike through the Atlantic rainforest from Vila do Abraão.
Visit the ruins of Lazareto Prison. It was originally built in the 19th century as a quarantine hospital for immigrants and was later converted into a prison for political prisoners. It’s an eerie site near Abraao that offers a fascinating look into the island’s history. The overgrown ruins create an almost jungle-temple vibe.
Hike to Feiticeira Waterfall. A short hike from Vila do Abraão takes you to this stunning waterfall, perfect for a refreshing swim in the natural pool below. Sometimes, you just need something different than a beach.
Take a boat tour around the island. Hire a speedboat or schooner tour to visit hidden beaches, caves, and remote snorkeling spots that can’t be reached by foot. It’s the best way to see Ilha Grande’s raw beauty from the water.
You’ve got options when it comes to getting from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande.
You can opt for a:
Bus
Bus + ferry
Van + ferry
Car + ferry
No matter what, it’s a two-step trek. The first leg is an overland journey out of Rio. The second leg is a thirty-minute ferry ride from the mainland to Ilha Grande.
All of these transportation options are shared besides the private car. That means you’ll have to wait to collect all the passengers before the driver sets off on the journey. That is going to add an hour or two to your travel time.
Duration: Four hours
Starting price: $24 — but that doesn't include the ferry ride
If you decide to take a bus, you can get picked up at your hotel or the airports in Rio and dropped off at the Abraao Tourist Pier in Ilha Grande.
But since it’s a shared bus, you’ll need to wait for all the passengers to show up or be collected. This could add an hour or two to your drive time, especially during the high season from December to March.
The ferry ticket isn’t included and will cost around 70 Brazilian reals ($13), making your total around $37.
The good news with a bus is that you’ll have a large luggage allowance of about 50-55 lbs/23-25 kg.
Duration: Four hours
Starting price: $40
This is basically the same thing as the bus above, but it includes the ferry ticket to Ilha Grande.
You can get picked up from the Galeao - Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) or Santos Dumont (SDU) Airports or your hotel, and you’ll arrive at the Abraao Tourist Pier in Ilha Grande.
The bus will board the ferry. You can stay on it or walk around the ferry. There are no seat assignments.
Duration: Four to five hours
Starting price: $26
If you want to travel with fewer people, opt for a minivan plus a ferry combo ticket. The advantage of a smaller overland vehicle is fewer people to wait for at the airport and fewer hotel pick-ups.
Otherwise, the trip is the same as the bus + ferry.
Duration: Four to five hours
Starting price: $212 for the car
If you want to travel with even fewer people and want a private ride, a car + ferry combo ticket is the way to go. It’s going to cost you. But if your time is tight, this could be the answer — no waiting for other people or picking up strangers. It is a door-to-door private service.
You can get picked up at the airports or your hotel in Rio and then dropped off at your hotel in Ilha Grande. Additionally, you get to choose your time of departure. You’re in control, except for the driving part. Someone else does that for you, so you can just chill.
Private cars have room for three people, which means you can split the price amongst your group.
That’s a two-part answer. The best time is from April to October. The warm and sunny weather is fantastic for hiking and beach days. There may be a little rain, but it’s not the rainy season.
December through March is the summer and high season. It’s hot and crowded, and it rains more, which raises the humidity.
If you want to avoid crowds and still enjoy good weather, visiting in April, May, or September is ideal.
If you love nature and adventure, you could easily stay a week without getting bored!
However, assuming you don’t have an endless amount of time in Brazil, three to five days should do it. Three gives you enough time to chill and see the top highlights, and five allows you to delve a little deeper and unwind a little more.
In less than three hours, you'll arrive in the vibrant colonial town of Paraty, renowned for its preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and fascinating history. Additionally, it has beautiful beaches and hiking trails, creating the ideal mix of culture and nature.
Oh. And one more thing.
It's well-known for its cachaça distilleries. So it has a lively nightlife scene.
Based on 128 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande
Alexandra B.
Eva K.
Dana P.
Sylvaine G.
Marlon M.
Rio de Janeiro - Any hotel
Rio de Janeiro-Galeao - Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Rio de Janeiro - Galeao - Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro - Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
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