Visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro (called Cristo Redentor in Portuguese) is one of the keystone tourist activities in Brazil, and is a “bucket-list” item for many people, both Christian and not. So when my sister came to visit, we knew it was a must-do, especially since I’d been living in the city for months already and hadn’t visited yet myself!
Christ the Redeemer is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World, and the first that I was ever able to visit (since then, I’ve been to the Colosseum and to Machu Picchu).
Thankfully, visiting most tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro happens to be extremely easy and straightforward.
If you want to make it REALLY simple, Viator runs some pretty solid all-inclusive Christ the Redeemer tours, including an early-access Christ the Redeemer tour, to let you skip the crowds.
But if you’re down to try a bit of DIY to reach Christ the Redeemer, you can take an uber (get your first ride free with this link), or a taxi, or to save money: the bus.
It couldn’t be easier to take the bus to Christ the Redeemer as there is a stop directly outside of the tram station (more info on transportation options below).
On my visit with my sister, though, we were in a time crunch and had a lot to pack in to a short visit, so we just grabbed a cab.
We arrived at the opening (8am), and bought our Christ the Redeemer tickets (62 BR each at the time, including roundtrip tram transport).
Unfortunately, the first trips up the hill were sold out, so we had to wait about an hour to get on the tram (this can be solved by purchasing your Christ the Redeemer tickets ahead of time, see below).
After our wait, we boarded the tram (on the way up, try to sit on the left hand side when looking up at the mountain, and on the way down the right when looking down the mountain, for the best views), and made our way slowly to the top. The views were so picturesque and the clean air with a slight breeze was so refreshing.
view of the city from Christ the Redeemer
Once at the top, we climbed the stairs (there is a long wait for the elevator option – unless you have a physical impediment I would recommend just walking. It is not a long way and was not difficult.. and much quicker than waiting!) and reached the top.
The view from the top of Christ the Redeemer was perhaps the best of any Rio de Janeiro viewpoint I’ve visited. We got really lucky with a clear, sunny day.
me with Christo Redentor
I was surprised not only by the great views but by how absolutely enormous the Christ the Redeemer statue is in person. But to be totally honest, I was most surprised by how absolutely PACKED with tourists it was, even this early in the morning (I can only imagine how crazy it gets later in the day)!
The day was a a great opportunity to spend quality time with my sister. Since moving abroad, I probably only get to spend about 10 hours of one-on-one time a year with her (one of the many downsides of a lifestyle like mine), which is crazy considering we once spent every day and every night together (we shared a room until I was 16), and have been really great friends our whole lives.
We’re really different, and I’m so grateful that she tries to meet me at my interests – especially travel. Before coming to visit me in Thailand, my sister didn’t even have a passport. Now she’s been stamped in both Thailand and Brazil (and since then: Mexico)!
Christ the Redeemer – scaffolding for repairs in 2015, temporary
How to Visit the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Christ the Redeemer/Cristo Redentor Information
Where is Christ the Redeemer?
Cosme Velho neighborhood of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
What is the Cost to Visit Christ the Redeemer?
81.40 BR per Christ the Redeemer ticket in high season, 67.10 BR in low season (including roundtrip tram transportation)
Where to Buy Christ the Redeemer Tickets?
You can buy your tickets directly at the tram station (I don’t recommend this).
I do recommend buying your tram time and Christ the Redeemer ticket online here, or at specific tour operators:
Rio Sul Mall 1st Floor near the Lauro Muller Street
Quiosque RIOTUR Copacabana – Avenida Atlântica , opposite Hilário de Gouveia Street.
Quiosque RIOTUR Candelária – Candelaria Street , 6 – Center
And also at the following postal agency locations, but cash only:
Santos Dumont Airport (Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm ) ;
Tom Jobim Airport (Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm , and Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3:30pm) ;
Barra Shopping ( Avenida das Américas, 4666 , Store 106 , from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm ) ;
Botafogo ( Voluntários da Pátria Street 254 , from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm ) ;
Copacabana (Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 540 , from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm ) ;
AC JK ( Visconde de Itaboraí Street 20 – Center , Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 7pm ) ;
Largo do Machado ( Largo do Machado 35 , Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm ) .
How Do You Get to Christ the Redeemer?
You can take bus 583, 570 or 584 from Ipanema and Leblon to arrive to Christ the Redeemer. 583 also goes through Copacobana.
While there is a bus stop directly across from the tram station, the signage is NOT good! (if you tell the bus driver when you get on that you are going to Corcovado, he will signal you when to get off. Or you can just keep an eye out for the trams)
Getting to Christ the Redeemer by taxi: Simply tell your taxi driver you are going to “Christo Redentor”. (cost example: from Sheraton Leblon directly to the tram station is only 50 BR in morning traffic)
Would I Go to Christ the Redeemer Again?
Yes, and I did when my father visited. The view of the city is beautiful, and it’s definitely a “Must Do” activity while in Rio de Janeiro.
Miscellaneous Tips for Visiting Christ the Redeemer
– Bring water, snacks (both are severely overpriced), and maybe a towel/hankerchief (for dabbing your face – it’s hot!)
– Don’t buy your souvenirs here (they’ll be three times as expensive) – do it at the Hippie Market on Sundays or the Copacabana night market (most nights of the week)… or even on the street
– Buy your Chris the Redeemer tickets ahead of time, and book the tram time that you want here. Then you won’t be waiting an hour like us
– Definitely go first thing in the morning – in the afternoon would be too hot
– A clear day without clouds or fog makes a huge difference – try to plan accordingly if you can
(Information updated September 2017)
another view from Christ the Redeemer’s staircase
Necessary Details: Rio de Janeiro
A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!
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