How to get the Cable Car from Santa Teresa

The Cable Car of Santa Teresa in the pandemic

Hard to think of Santa Teresa without her charming yellow cable car. Even with the pandemic tormenting our lives the cable car continues to function, in this new release phase, following hygiene protocols and spreading its charm through the streets of Santa. To this day the tram is widely used by locals, free of charge, as one of the means of reaching the hills of Santa Teresa.

The current tour just isn't more fantastic because of the pandemic that keeps Santa's museums closed. But the view follows beautiful, besides being a great outdoor ride, and a really cool way to get to know the charming neighborhood. My Turistona de Brasília blog Leve sem Destino, said he liked this tram ride more than the Cable Car of Sugar Loaf hahaha, goes from the taste of each right? I think they're completely different experiences! One of the changes due to the pandemic is the limitation of 2 people per bank, that reduced the capacity of the santa teresa cable car.

How to get to the Santa Teresa Cable Car

You can board at some Santa tram stop point or downtown at the final station. I recommend boarding the station, since trying to pick up in the middle of the road you run the risk of not getting a spot.
To get to the tram station you can go by Uber or subway. The station is between carioca and cinelândia subway. literally 5 minutes walking from any of them. It's very close EVEN!

Buying tickets for the Santa Teresa Cable Car

The purchase of tickets, that include round trip, can only be done directly at the tram station. They accept card and cash.

History Of Santa Teresa Cable Car

The symbol of Santa Teresa was inaugurated in 1 September 1896. Formerly the various stretches of tram lines in Rio, were managed by different companies, just like the bus lines nowadays. Companhia Ferro-Carril Carioca was responsible for the stretch that would connect Carioca and Santa Teresa. To everyone's surprise and the chill of the first passengers they took advantage of the already disabled arches of Lapa to cross lapa and access Santa.

When people were still allowed to hang on the sides of the tram it was pretty scary as it passed over the arches, as much as it wasn't i hung hahaha.

With its current 124 years, the cable car has been in shape since its last renovation in 2015, they're the last electric trams running in the city, currently in a more modern and secure version. Until the last change of trams, was allowed to walk hanging standing on the stirrups and even catch the tram (literally) walking/running. Yes I saw and lived it, alone, Obviously, did not hehehe

The change in the new models caused the stirrups to become retractable and a safety bar to be installed on the sides. It goes up and down at each stop for passengers to get in and out. Another novelty were the plastic curtains for rainy days.

What it's like to ride the Santa Teresa Cable Car

Taking the santa teresa cable car is a journey in time and the history of the city, departing from Carioca the tram crosses Lapa by the famous arches. The old aqueduct fed the city with water from the Carioca River.

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Crossing the arches, you can see right the Flying Circus and the Progress Foundry, both stages of big shows. On the left you can see the Divine Chapel Holy Spirit, Senna's graffiti made by Kobra and the city's first lamp, of 1906, in celebration of the opening of Av. Mem de Sá. He does “pair” with the beautiful clock/lamp of Largo da Carioca which was the second installed in Rio de Janeiro in 1909.

Already in Santa Teresa, Largo do Curvelo is the point of museums, there, walking a little you can access the Ruins Park and The Farm of Heaven. From the top of the park building you have one of the coolest views of Santa Teresa. Both remain closed due to pandemic.

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Largo dos Guimarães can be considered the heart of Santa Teresa where the buzz is most intense. There you jump in front of cine Santa, only cinema in the neighborhood and with promotional prices for residents. Walking almost nothing the visitor can access several bars and restaurants, shops and if you want to even go down to the neighborhood of Gloria.

At the point of the market you can go down to buy handicrafts made by local artist Getúlio, with recycled material, and enjoy the view on the lookout of the wet mouse. You have to walk a little but the look is amazing, especially in the late afternoon.

Arriving at the end point of the tram, station Dois Irmãos, the seat backs are turned, the motorman changes sides on the tram and in a few moments he is already ready to return to Carioca.

Tip of the out of touch – Santa Teresa tram

Remember to arrive well before your time to secure the ticket ( includes round trip ), now for security reasons are allowed only 2 people per bank and the preference for boarding is the residents'.

Enjoy the return of Santa Teresa to descend at the last stop before the arches and get to know the famous Sélaron staircase. You can check out more tips on it here.And don't, you can't cross the Lapa Arches by tram rail.

SUPER BONUS download our map of the Santa Cable Car (In brief) here. In addition to knowing the seasons, you stay on top of the tour options and restaurants in the vicinity of each stop. While the PDF is ready you can check the points on the map below.

Important Information – Santa Teresa tram

Ticket R$ 20
Schedule Mon to Fri from 8am to 3pm
Sat, gift and holidays 10am to 3pm
Contact (21) 2332-6615
Address R. Lélio Gama, 2 – Center
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