Taxis & Rideshare in Brazil (2026) - Grab, Uber & More

Brazil's ground transportation scene is split between traditional metered taxis and app-based rideshare services, with strong local options available across major cities. **Uber** operates widely in Brazil and is familiar to most international visitors, download the app, set your destination, and confirm pickup as you would elsewhere. Alongside it, **99** (owned by DiDi) is a dominant local rideshare platform with deep penetration in Brazilian cities. It offers similar app-based booking and is often preferred by locals. **InDrive** is also active in Brazil, using a negotiated-fare model where you propose a price and drivers accept or counter. For traditional taxis, look for licensed vehicles, typically yellow in São Paulo and other major cities, and confirm the taxímetro (meter) is running at the start of the ride. In airports and bus terminals, use only official taxi ranks or pre-paid taxi desks inside the terminal to avoid informal operators. For most travelers, app-based services offer the clearest advantage in convenience: no language barrier, upfront route confirmation, and a digital record of your trip. **99** and **Uber** both operate across economy and premium tiers, so you can choose based on group size or comfort preference within the app. Traditional taxis are a reliable fallback when your phone battery is low or data is unavailable, and radio taxi companies (booked by phone) are worth saving as a contact for late-night travel in unfamiliar areas. When hailing street taxis, it is standard practice to confirm the meter is zeroed before departing, this is your right as a passenger. In smaller cities and towns where rideshare coverage thins out, local taxis remain the practical default. Hotel reception staff can typically call a trusted local driver on your behalf.