Taxis & Rideshare in Brazil (2026) - Apps, Fares & Tips

In Brazil, the two main door-to-door options are traditional taxis and the rideshare platform 99 (formerly 99Taxis). Licensed taxis are ubiquitous in every city, look for the clearly marked cars with rooftop "TAXI" signs and municipal license plates. You can hail one on the street, find them at designated taxi stands outside airports, bus terminals, hotels and shopping malls, or call a local radio-taxi cooperative. Payment is accepted in cash or by card if the vehicle has a point-of-sale device. Simply tell the driver your destination and ask for the meter ("taxímetro") to be switched on. Receipts can be requested at the end of the ride. For more convenience and upfront pricing, download the 99 app (available in Portuguese and English) before you travel. After registering with a phone number and credit card, you pin your pickup point, choose the ride category (Pop for budget, Comfort for newer cars, or 99Top for premium vehicles), and track the driver's arrival in real time. The app displays an estimated fare range before you confirm, and payment is handled automatically, no cash needed. Use 99 when you want to avoid language barriers, need a ride late at night, or prefer the safety features of trip sharing and driver identification. Taxis remain the go-to choice at airports where queues are fast-moving or when you have no internet connection.