Step 1: Get to the base in Urca
The cable car starts at Praia Vermelha in Urca, a quiet residential neighborhood next to Botafogo. A rideshare from Copacabana takes about 15 minutes and costs R$20 to R$30. If you are coming from the center, allow more time in traffic.
Step 2: Buy the right ticket
You have two choices. Buy at the ticket office on the day (cash or card, but lines can hit 45 minutes at peak times) or buy a skip-the-line cable car ticket online in advance. The online ticket is the easy win: you walk past the queue and board directly. There is also a separate standalone cable car ticket if you only want the ride.
- Adult round trip: ~R$160 (about $32)
- Children 3 to 12: roughly half price
- Under 3 and over 60: discounted, bring ID
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 7:50 PM (last ride down ~9:00 PM)
Step 3: Ride the two cable cars
The first cable car climbs from the base to Morro da Urca (220 m), where there is a cafe, a small stage, and your first big view. The second cable car carries you to the summit of Pao de Acucar (396 m). Each ride takes about three minutes and cars leave every 20 minutes.
Step 4: Time it for sunset
The summit faces Guanabara Bay, Christ the Redeemer, and the city skyline, so sunset and the city lights afterward are spectacular. Arrive at the base 90 minutes before sundown. The queue to ride up grows fast in the golden hour, which is exactly why a skip-the-line ticket pays off here.
Tips most visitors miss
- Go up before sunset and come down after dark to get both views in one trip
- Mornings are clearest; afternoon haze can soften the view
- There is a short nature trail on Morro da Urca, free with your ticket
- Bring a light jacket, it is breezy at the top
Short on time? Many Rio city tours bundle Sugarloaf with Christ the Redeemer and transport, which removes the logistics entirely.
Skip the Sugarloaf ticket line
Book your cable car ticket online and walk straight to the car.
Frequently asked questions
The Sugarloaf cable car costs around R$160 (about $32) for adults round trip in 2026, with discounts for children and seniors. Skip-the-line online tickets cost a few dollars more but save you the ticket office queue.
For sunset, arrive at the base 90 minutes before sundown so you can ride both cable cars and find a spot at the top. For fewer crowds and clear morning light, go right at opening (8 AM).
The cable car base is at Praia Vermelha in the Urca neighborhood. Take a taxi or rideshare (cheapest from Copacabana), or city bus lines that stop in Urca. The first cable car leaves from the base station next to the beach.
