Rio de Janeiro Tickets

Sugarloaf Mountain Tickets & Tours

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View of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Botafogo Cove from Mirante do Pedrao, Big Rock Belvedere, Rio de Janeiro.
























































Quick overview

  • Ways to explore: Choose from Sugarloaf Mountain tickets, guided half-day city tours, or full-day Rio itineraries that bundle Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf in one day.
  • Additional access: Every option includes the classic Sugarloaf cable car ride; some add hotel transfers, the Corcovado train, and time at key downtown and beach viewpoints.
  • Unique experiences: Sunset-focused tours time your visit for golden light over Guanabara Bay, Copacabana, and Christ the Redeemer, with unhurried photo stops.
  • Queues & access: Pre-booked mobile Sugarloaf Mountain tickets help you skip the ticket-office line, but you’ll still pass security and queue briefly to board each cable car.
  • When to book: Sunset and combo tours with Christ the Redeemer often sell out on weekends and holidays. Aim to book at least 7–14 days in advance.
  • Good to know: Experiences range from 4-hour highlights to 9-hour full-day tours; check inclusions for guides, transport, and cancellation flexibility before you pay.
  • Best upgrade: If you’re undecided, go for a full-day Rio combo covering Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps, and coastal viewpoints for maximum stories and scenery in one ticket.

→ [See ticket comparison ↓]

Which Sugarloaf Mountain ticket is best for you?

Ticket typeEntrance usedLines skippedSecurityIncludesUpgrades/add-onsWhy pick thisCancelation policyPrice from
Cable car tickets

Praia Vermelha station

Ticket office

Security

Access to Sugarloaf cable car, Free time to explore the park

Skip-the-line access to the cable car

• Cheapest way to ride the cable car • Explore at your own pace

Can’t be canceled or rescheduled

R$255
Combo tickets

Cosme Velho station + Praia Vermelha station

Ticket office

Security

Access to the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugarloaf cable car, Round-trip train transfers to/from the statue

No

• Covers Rio’s two headline viewpoints in one go • Minimal DIY logistics

Can’t be canceled or rescheduled

R$465
Full-day tour

Hotel pickup

Ticket office

Security

9-hour tour of Rio, Round-trip hotel transfers, Expert guide, Sugarloaf cable car and Christ the Redeemer tickets, Stops at Sambadrome, Selarón Steps, and more

Train or van transfer to Christ the Redeemer, Executive or BBQ lunch

• “See-it-all” day with stories and photo stops • Ideal if you have just one full day

Cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund

R$633
Guided tour + half-day tour

Hotel pickup

Ticket office

Security

Access to Sugarloaf Mountain cable car, Photo stops at Sambadrome, Metropolitan Cathedral, Cinelândia Square & Teatro Municipal, Round-trip hotel transfers, Expert guides, Audio commentary

No

• Time-saving overview of Rio’s top bay views • Works well for tight schedules

Cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund

R$475

What to expect at Sugarloaf Mountain?

Couple admiring Christ the Redeemer statue from Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro.
Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro at sunset with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background.
Cable car ascending Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, with cityscape and ocean view.
Cable car ascending Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
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Begin at Praia Vermelha

You enter through a garden-style forecourt, dotted with palm trees and historic cable car memorabilia. Tickets are scanned at the turnstile, and you’ll see the first boarding platform straight ahead, with cabins gliding in every few minutes.

Board the first cable car to Morro da Urca

As the doors close, the cable car lifts you above Urca’s red-roofed homes, climbing toward a rocky ledge. The water below grows larger and brighter, and landmarks like Botafogo Beach and Guanabara Bay appear in layers on the skyline.

Explore Morro da Urca (cafés, terraces, and mini viewpoints)

You can linger at this mid-station on observation decks, watch small planes take off from Santos Dumont Airport, or grab snacks ranging from Brazilian brigadeiros to açai bowls. Short paths wind through native trees, and the Sugarloaf summit towers just behind you.

Take the second cable car

This ride feels more suspended, with the ocean on one side and sheer granite on the other. The cabin hangs quietly between two cliffs, and as it rises, Copacabana Beach curves into full view, with its long white strip meeting the Atlantic.

Stand at 396 meters and trace Rio’s geography

At the top, you’ll find telescopes, walking paths, and tiered decks facing different parts of the city: Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, the crescent of Copacabana, jungle-covered mountains, and cargo ships gliding slowly into Guanabara Bay. The light shifts constantly—morning haze, golden afternoon, deep-blue sunset glow.

Make it a story with guided or combo tours

On certain tours, this summit becomes one chapter in a larger journey linking Rio’s identity. You might start at Christ the Redeemer by train, explore historic steps in Lapa, and end at Sugarloaf’s summit for sunset, letting the cable car be both transport and finale.

Things to know before booking your tickets to Sugarloaf Mountain 

  • How do you want to meet Sugarloaf? You can do it the simple way (just hop on the cable cars and wander at your own pace). If you hate figuring out buses, hills, timing, and taxis, a day tour with guides, hotel transfers, and access to other landmarks is ideal. 
  • Does booking online magically teleport you to the top? Nope, you still board with everyone else. Pre-booking is like cutting the cafeteria line, not getting VIP helicopter access. You skip the ticket office, but cable car boarding takes 10–30 minutes, especially around sunset when half of Rio suddenly remembers it loves views.
  • What do you actually get once inside? Two cable cars, two different peaks, and one of the world’s most cinematic lookouts. 
  • Cable car only… or Christ too? If you’re doing both in one day, choose the combo ticket with the Corcovado train. 
  • Half day or full day? What’s the vibe? Half-day tour is “quick taste of Rio + big views.” A full-day tour is the whole meal: murals at Selarón Steps, playful airport flybys from Urca, cathedral geometry, beaches, and then Sugarloaf as your grand finale.
  • Is sunset worth fighting the crowds for? Absolutely. When Rio turns gold and Copacabana looks like someone polished it. Locals love these sunset tours too, so book early for weekends and summer (Dec–Mar). 
  • Will the Rio weather ruin the magic? Fog might hide the view for a bit, but it often lifts. The only real villain is wind. If the cable cars stop, you’ll usually get a refund or a new time slot. 
  • Is Sugarloaf friendly for all travelers? Yes, the cable cars and main decks are wheelchair-friendly and easy to navigate. 

Explore Sugarloaf Mountain

Morro da Urca View Decks

The first stop gives you a playful peek at Rio with Botafogo’s beach shaped like a teacup, and islands scattered like stepping stones. It’s a “wow,” but it’s only the warm-up.

Access: Included

Nature trail overlook (Urca Forest path)

Just a few minutes off the main terrace, this short trail winds through native trees where monkeys occasionally hang out like they own the place (they kind of do). Great for a quick dose of the rainforest before your next cable car ride.

Access: Included

Sugarloaf Summit walks & terraces

Once you’re 396m above the Atlantic, you can wander through winding paths, sit under shade trees, climb tiered viewing decks, and watch the light shift across the city. Some corners are busy, others feel like secret balconies above a skyline.

Access: Included

Panorama of Christ the Redeemer & beaches

From this angle, Christ seems almost level with you, the beaches look like crescent brushstrokes, and the breakers hit the coastline in perfect, rhythmic lines. Telescopes help you see the statue’s silhouette against the clouds.

Access: Included

Sunset terraces & café spots

If you stay for sundown, find a terrace where the Atlantic glows orange, then deepens to blue. Grab a cold drink or sweet brigadeiro and watch the city lights flick on boats, buildings, the airport runway, and finally the mountain itself.

Access: Included

Plan your visit to Sugarloaf Mountain

Cable car departing for Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, with cityscape and ocean view.
  • Daily: 8am to 9pm (last cable car up usually around 7:30–8pm)
  • Expect a 10 to 20 minute queue for boarding, slightly longer at sunset.

Best time to go:

  • Mornings, if you want softer light and fewer people.
  • Late afternoon into sunset, if you want drama (book early during summer).
  • Best months: April to June & August to October for warm, beautiful skies, fewer crowds.
Sugarloaf Mountain opening hours

Sugarloaf sits in the calm, historic seaside neighborhood of Urca, tucked between forested cliffs and a tiny beach.

  • Metro + bus: Take the Metro to Botafogo, then bus 581/582 or a quick taxi to Praia Vermelha (5–10 min).
  • Taxi/ride app: Quick and inexpensive from Copacabana, Ipanema, or Lapa; you’ll be dropped at the entrance plaza.
  • On foot: A scenic 20–30-minute walk from Botafogo if you enjoy waterfront strolls.
  • Driving? Parking is limited; try using a taxi/ride app unless you’re very lucky or early.
Getting to Sugarloaf Mountain
Accessible restrooms with clear signage at a tourist attraction.
  • Food & drinks: Cafés and snack kiosks at both Morro da Urca and the summit (great for an açaí break).
  • Restrooms: Clean and available at both levels.
  • Souvenir shops: Local crafts, artistic prints, and Sugarloaf-themed collectibles.
  • Free time allowed: Stay as long as you like once you’ve entered. No time limit.
  • Wi-Fi: Limited; signal improves at cafés. Save uploads for later.
About Sugarloaf Mountain
  • Main Entrance (Praia Vermelha Plaza): Best for all tickets, including mobile vouchers. Has turnstiles, boarding platforms, cafés, and cable-car memorabilia displays
  • Ticket redemption: Most Sugarloaf Mountain tickets are scanned digitally at the turnstile. No need for paper exchange unless your tour host instructs otherwise.
  • Security check: Quick scanner for bags (no drones, no large tripods, no alcohol). Expect 2–5 minutes.
Elevator at rio sugarloaf
  • Cable cars are wheelchair-friendly and board level with platforms.
  • Wide terraces at both peaks with ramp access.
  • Some panoramic points have slight slopes; ask staff for the easiest route.
  • Avoid nature trails at Morro da Urca if mobility is limited. Stick to the decks; the views are just as spectacular.

Tips & guidelines

  • Skip the center decks and head to the side terraces on both peaks. They’re quieter, the angles are wider, and you’ll get Copacabana and Christ in a single frame. 
  • Arrive early, ride both cable cars, and claim your spot on the summit before the light changes. Once the sun hits the horizon, cable car queues get longer, and you don’t want to be stuck mid-line when the sky turns neon.
  • Leave heavy tripods, big bags, and full-size cameras at home if you’re not shooting professionally. Security may stop bulky gear, and the best photos actually come from handheld shots on terraces, not giant lenses.
  • Skip the rush to the summit and linger at Morro da Urca first. This “halfway peak” has unexpected gems: monkeys in the trees, runway views of tiny planes landing, and killer angles of boats on Guanabara Bay.
  • During sunset, ride apps sometimes spike. If you booked a tour that includes transport, great. If not, order your ride before you exit, while you’re still on the terrace with Wi-Fi.
  • Dress for the wind, not just the weather. Bring a light layer, or you’ll be hugging strangers’ shadows for warmth as the sun goes down.
  • Don’t feed the monkeys—ever. They look cute until they snatch your snacks or camera. Feeding them is banned, and honestly, they’re perfectly capable of stealing what they want without your help.
  • Drones are strictly banned for safety. And, the view from the Sugarloaf cable car and summit already feels like a bird’s-eye flight. 

Plan your visit to Sugarloaf Mountain

Frequently asked questions about Sugarloaf Mountain tickets

Yes, every entry covers the ride to Morro da Urca and the Sugarloaf summit on the famous Sugarloaf cable car. You don’t need separate access for either level.