Transportation

Belo Horizonte

    • Metro: There is an urban train system in Belo Horizonte that connects two edges of the city and also goes to Contagem, a neighboring city that is part of the metropolitan area. Currently, the railway has 19 stations along its line and another six are under construction. It passes through downtown, next to the main bus station, through commercial areas, the hospital area and residential areas. Stations are also close to two units of PUC Minas in Belo Horizonte: Coração Eucarísitco and São Gabriel. The metro is one of the cheapest transportation options, with prices around R$4,25 (one way). For further information, call 55 (31) 3250.3901 Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00pm.
    • Taxi: Belo Horizonte has a very well-established and efficient taxi system. All cab drivers and cars are regulated by BHTrans. This means of transportation is more expensive when compared to the other ones, but taxis in Belo Horizonte offer reasonable prices. Taxi stands are spread all around the city and its neighborhoods, but you can also call taxi companies with toll-free numbers so that they can pick you up wherever you are, for no additional fee. Nowadays, the use of apps is a very common way to call for a cab. The most common  are: Easy Taxi, I love 99, and also Uber (the cheaper option). Note that not every taxi accept credit card.
    • Bus: All buses that connect Belo Horizonte to other cities leave from and arrive at the main bus station, located downtown (Rodoviária de Belo Horizonte). The price of these bus tickets depends on how far you are going and which bus company you choose.
      • For urban buses, the prices are R$4,50 (one way). It’s recommended to enter in the bus with the right amount or with a small bill, since higher bills might make it difficult for you to get your change back.

    Address: Praça Rio Branco, 100 Centro – Belo Horizonte – MG
    Phone: 55 (31) 3271.3000

Florianópolis

The bus transit system in Floripa has nine terminais de integração that operate the bus lines within the city:

  • Direto: Leaves from any Terminal de Integração along the city and goes directly to the Terminal de Integração do Centro without stopping at bus stops on the itinerary.  These are usually comfortable buses. The bus company may vary depending on the city area you are going to, but the bus fare remains the same (R$4.18 with pre-paid card or R$4.40 cash).
  • Semi-Direto: Travels between any Terminal de Integração and the Terminal de Integração do Centro and stops only at the Terminais de Integração on the itinerary.
  • Paradora: Travels between any Terminal de Integração and the Terminal de Integração do Centro, stopping at the Terminais de Integração and every stop on the itinerary.
  • Alimentadora or Linha de Bairro: Travels between a neighborhood and the closest Terminal de Integração.

At any bus terminal, you can choose what type of line you will take to your next destination.  The city is divided into seven rate regions and the bus ticket must be purchased from the cobrador, not the driver (the cobrador is the person sitting a couple of seats down who will let you through the turnstile after you buy your ticket).  As a student, you may carry and use a “Student Card” that you will be able to charge monthly with a certain amount of money and pay the bus fares with a great discount. The cards can be charged at the Terminal de Integração do Centro after students receive their Atestado de matrícula in their undergrad courses.

Niterói

Niterói is a very walkable city. The UFF campus is spread throughout the city, but the bus service is efficient and convenient, at around R$4.05. Bus routes and schedules can be found in city guides and maps. Some lines run after midnight, but less frequently.

Inter-city

Rio de Janeiro can be accessed by bus (R$4.05 or R$9,10 direct) across the Guanabara Bridge or by ferryboat (R$6.30). Service is very frequent. The national and international airports and the bus terminal are about an hour away with regular bus service, or 45 minutes by taxi during peak hours. The city of Rio has a simple but helpful metro network that connects the northern, downtown, and southern (beach) districts.

Uber has become the preferred means of transportation by students in all three sites.