How the cable car works
Sugarloaf is two cable car rides stacked together. The first glass car climbs from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca at 220 meters, where there is a cafe, a viewpoint and a small trail. The second car carries you to the summit of Pao de Acucar at 396 meters. Each ride takes about three minutes and cars run every 20 minutes.
Tickets and prices (2026)
- Adult round trip: about R$160 (around $32)
- Children 3 to 12: roughly half price
- Under 3 and over 60: discounted, bring ID
- Opening hours: 8 AM to around 8 PM, last car down later
Buy a skip the line cable car ticket online in advance to avoid the ticket office queue, which can hit 45 minutes at peak times.
Time it for sunset
The summit faces Christ the Redeemer, Botafogo bay and the city skyline, so sunset and the lights afterward are spectacular. Arrive at the base about 90 minutes before sundown. Go up before sunset and come down after dark to catch both views in a single trip.
Getting to Urca
The base sits at Praia Vermelha in Urca, a quiet seaside neighborhood. A rideshare from Copacabana costs around R$20 to R$30 and takes 15 minutes. City buses also stop nearby. Short on time? Many Rio city tours bundle Sugarloaf with Christ the Redeemer and transport.
Tips most visitors miss
- Mornings are clearest, afternoon haze can soften the view
- The short Morro da Urca trail is free with your ticket
- Bring a light jacket, it is breezy at the top
- Wildlife alert, marmosets often appear near the first station
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 little more but let you walk past the ticket office queue.
For sunset, arrive at the base about 90 minutes before sundown so you can ride both stages and find a spot at the top. For clear morning light and fewer crowds, go right at opening, around 8 AM.
The cable car base is at Praia Vermelha in the Urca neighborhood, next to Botafogo. A rideshare from Copacabana takes about 15 minutes. The first car leaves from the base station beside the beach.
