Rio de Janeiro: Christ by Train, Sugarloaf & Barbecue

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.69 (948 reviews) 83% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration8h

GroupUp to 46

LanguagesEN · PT +4

PickupAt your hotel

Train to Christ, Cable Car to Sugarloaf, Lunch in Between

You get hotel pickup, a train ride to Christ the Redeemer, a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, a Brazilian barbecue lunch, and a guided drive past Rio's most recognizable landmarks — all without arranging tickets, transport or timing yourself. The full-day option with lunch and Sugarloaf takes 8–10 hours; the half-day Christ by Train option is shorter and ends at Selarón Steps.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rio highlights: Christ, city, Sugarloaf

Pass by Copacabana Beach
Pass by Ipanema Beach
Board train to Christ the Redeemer
Pass by Tijuca Forest
Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
Stop at Bellini Statue
Drive by Sambadrome
Visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
Stop for photos at Selarón Steps
Enjoy Brazilian barbecue lunch
Take cable car to Urca Hill
Take cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain

The Experience

What if you could see Rio's three biggest views without spending half the day figuring out how to get between them? The day starts with hotel pickup from Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon or Barra da Tijuca, then moves through the city past the beaches that made Rio famous — Copacabana and Ipanema — before heading to Cosme Velho Station to board the train up Corcovado Mountain. The ride cuts through Tijuca Forest, and when you step out at the top, Christ the Redeemer is right there. You get time to walk around, take photos, feel the scale of it. Then back down by train.

After that, the tour passes the Maracanã Stadium (external stop, no entry) and drives past the Sambadrome — you see where Carnival happens, but you're not getting out. The Metropolitan Cathedral comes next, a quick internal visit, and then Selarón Steps, where you stop for photos among the hand-painted tiles. If you booked the half-day option, this is where it ends and you head back to your hotel. But if you chose the full day with lunch and Sugarloaf, there's a Brazilian steakhouse stop — the barbecue buffet is included, though drinks cost extra — and then the cable car. Two rides: first to Morro da Urca, then up to Sugarloaf Mountain itself. The views from up there are different from Christ's; you're looking back at the city and the beaches from another angle. The whole thing runs 8 to 10 hours depending on traffic and how long you linger at each stop.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. The order can shift if there's traffic or if an event is happening at Maracanã that day. Kids under 2 ride free if they don't need a seat; older children need photo ID to get their child ticket price, otherwise the office charges adult rate. The tour runs rain or shine, and it's built for mixed fitness levels — you're mostly riding, walking short distances, and standing at viewpoints.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from South Zone or Barra da Tijuca hotels, all taxes and fees, train tickets to Christ the Redeemer, a guided city tour by air-conditioned vehicle, entry to the Metropolitan Cathedral and Selarón Steps, and a professional guide with live commentary.
If you book the full-day option, add a Brazilian steakhouse barbecue lunch and cable car tickets to Sugarloaf Mountain (including Morro da Urca).
Drinks at lunch are not included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by C2Rio Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Rio's main landmarks in one day without arranging separate tickets, transport or timing — the fixed itinerary and included pickup handle all of that. The half-day option works if you have limited time; the full-day with lunch and Sugarloaf is best if you want the complete experience and don't mind a longer day.