Compare Car Hire Prices in Brazil

Search car hire at Brazilian airports and city locations, compare prices and choose a car that suits your budget. You’ll also find practical information about toll roads, fuel, São Paulo traffic restrictions and long-distance driving below.

Popular Brazil collection points

Location	Useful for
São Paulo Guarulhos Airport	São Paulo state, coast and southeastern Brazil
Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport	Rio region, Búzios, Angra dos Reis and Paraty
Florianópolis Airport	Santa Catarina beaches and southern coastal routes
Porto Alegre Airport	Rio Grande do Sul, Gramado and Serra Gaúcha
Salvador Airport	Bahia coast and Praia do Forte
Recife Airport	Pernambuco coast and Porto de Galinhas
Foz do Iguaçu Airport	Iguaçu Falls and western Paraná

Brazil driving basics

Drive	On the right
Speed units	Kilometres per hour
Seat belts	Seat belts are required for vehicle occupants.
Alcohol	Brazil operates zero-tolerance drink-driving enforcement. Do not drink before driving.
Motorcycles	Motorcycles frequently travel between traffic lanes in large cities. Check mirrors carefully before changing lanes.

Brazil toll roads

Conventional tolls	Toll plazas are common on many major intercity highways, particularly in southern and southeastern Brazil.
Free Flow	Brazil is increasingly using electronic Free Flow tolls without physical booths or barriers.
How Free Flow works	Gantries identify the vehicle using an electronic tag or number-plate recognition.
Rental cars	Ask the rental provider whether the vehicle has a toll tag and how conventional and Free Flow toll charges are billed.
Payment	Do not ignore a Free Flow toll because there is no booth. Payment remains compulsory.

Brazil's electronic toll network is expanding, so check your route and rental provider's toll arrangements before travelling.

São Paulo traffic restrictions

Rodízio	São Paulo operates weekday vehicle restrictions based on the final number of the registration plate.
Morning period	7:00 am to 10:00 am
Evening period	5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Monday	Plate endings 1 and 2
Tuesday	Plate endings 3 and 4
Wednesday	Plate endings 5 and 6
Thursday	Plate endings 7 and 8
Friday	Plate endings 9 and 0

The restriction applies within São Paulo's designated expanded centre and can occasionally be suspended. Check current city information before driving.

Fuel in Brazil

Gasolina	Petrol
Etanol	Hydrous ethanol sold as a separate fuel at many filling stations.
Diesel	Used by suitable diesel vehicles. Do not put diesel into a petrol or flex-fuel car.
Flex-fuel cars	Many Brazilian cars can run on petrol, ethanol or a mixture of the two. Confirm whether your rental vehicle is flex-fuel before choosing ethanol.
Remote routes	Refuel before long rural journeys because fuel stations can be farther apart away from major cities and highways.

Brazil road conditions

Tolled highways	Major concession highways can offer some of the easiest intercity driving for visitors.
Secondary roads	Road quality can vary considerably, with potholes, uneven surfaces or limited markings on some routes.
Heavy rain	Tropical rainfall can cause flooding, landslides and road disruption in some regions.
Night driving	Avoid unnecessary long-distance driving after dark on unfamiliar roads.
Long distances	Brazil is extremely large. Domestic flights combined with regional car hire can be more practical than driving between distant regions.

Useful Brazil driving information

Navigation	Plan routes in advance and consider downloading offline maps for rural journeys.
City parking	Secure or official paid parking is generally preferable in large cities.
Valuables	Keep bags, phones and other valuables out of sight when the vehicle is parked.
Cross-border travel	Written rental-company permission and additional documents may be required before taking the vehicle into Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay or another neighbouring country.
Emergency numbers	Police 190 • Ambulance 192 • Fire 193

Driving licence requirements

Drivers from countries covered by the relevant international agreements can generally use a valid foreign driving licence in Brazil for up to 180 days. Carry your original licence and passport, and check whether an International Driving Permit or translation is required for your particular licence and rental provider.

Brazil car hire FAQs

Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Brazil?

Many rental providers require an accepted card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Check the exact payment and deposit conditions before booking.

Should I collect my hire car at the airport or in the city?

Airport collection is convenient if you plan to drive immediately. If you are spending several days in central São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro first, collecting the car later may avoid unnecessary city traffic and parking.

Official Brazil driving information

Toll systems, city restrictions and road conditions can change. Check current official information and your rental provider's terms before travel.