Full guide about visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

Visiting Christ the Redeemer is number one on most tourist’s lists when they come to Rio – and it’s easy to understand why. As a local, I will help you plan your visit to the Christ statue in Rio, providing some expert tips and advice for making your visit as memorable and enjoyable as possible.

Christ the Redeemer is the most iconic spot in town, but there are a few things you should know before you plan your visit. From choosing the right time of day to the best way to get there, this guide will cover everything about the visit to help make sure that your experience at Christ the Redeemer is one that you’ll never forget!

Without further ado, let’s jump on my top tips and tricks about visiting this world-famous monument.

4 Different ways to visit Christ the Redeemer + 1 Bonus option

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is located at the top of Corcovado Hill, which is 710 meters high. The only way of getting all the way to the top is by using one of the official transport methods – you cannot simply go with your own car. 

There are 4 main different ways to get to Christ the Redeemer for your visit: by cog train, by van, by tour, or by foot through a hike. Below, we will cover each of them in more detail

Visiting Christ the Redeemer by cog train

The most traditional and popular way to get to the top of Corcovado Hill to visit Christ the Redeemer is by cog train. The cog train departs from Cosme Velho station and it takes around 20 minutes to reach the statue.

The train departs every 20-30 minutes so if you decide to buy your tickets on-site, you don’t have to worry about departure times. If you buy your tickets online in advance, you will have to select the specific time of your visit and arrive at the Cosme Velho station at least 15-20 minutes before that.

Pro tip: Sit on the right-side window on the way up and on the left side on the way down for the best views during the ride.

Visiting Christ the Redeemer by van

The Corcovado Vans are one of the official transport methods to get you to Christ the Redeemer. These vans are part of the Tijuca National Park, where Corcovado Hill is located. The advantage of using the vans is that you can pick them up at different boarding points in Rio:

• Largo do Machado (very close to a subway station)
• Lido Square at Copacabana (ideal for everyone staying in Copacabana)
• Paineiras Visitor Center (the highest point of Corcovado Hill you can reach by car)

All of the vans have air conditioners and the ride is very comfortable. This is a good alternative if you do not want to go all the way to Cosme Velho for the cog train.

Visiting Christ the Redeemer by tour

Another great option if you do not want to organize every detail of the visit by yourself, is to book a tour to Christ the Redeemer. The tour operators provide all the transportation needed (normally by van) so you don’t have to worry about that or the tickets.

There are also many tours that combine the visit to Christ the Redeemer with other attractions on the same day.

Check our list of the 10 best tours to visit Christ the Redeemer.

Go hiking to Christ the Redeemer

If you are looking for an adventure and a different way to get to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, one option is hiking! The hike starts at Parque Lage (which is a great place to go for breakfast) and takes you up to Corcovado Hill. The whole trail takes around 4 hours round-trip. It is considered an intermediary hiking trail because it is quite steep in many parts, but not because the path itself is hard to follow.

However, I must say that I do not recommend doing this hike alone. There have been reports in the past of people being mugged on this hike so this is an activity that I recommend doing in a group or with a local that knows the area.

If you want to visit Christ the Redeemer through the hike, we recommend booking this tour.

You can read more information about the hike on the Tijuca National Park’s official website.

Bonus tip: Visit Christ the Redeemer on a helicopter flight

The most unique way of visiting Christ the Redeemer is by going on a helicopter flight! This is definitely a bucket list experience, the flight will hover around the statue and you can see the entire city from a very unique angle.

It goes without saying that this is the most expensive of all the options above. I see it as an investment though, as it is something very special and different, that not all tourists get to do.

We recommend booking this experience with Vertical Rio. They are well known in the city for their open-door helicopter flights, so you will be very well taken care of. 

What is the best way of getting up to Christ the Redeemer?

Out of all the options presented above, the best way to visit Christ the Redeemer in our opinion is using the cog train.

It may not be the most convenient, but it is definitely the most traditional and you will get to feel the full experience of the Corcovado visit.

What can you see from the Christ statue in Rio?

The Christ statue is very impressive and seeing it up close is even more stunning – after all, it is 30 meters tall. But nothing compares to the view you have of the city below.

From Christ the Redeemer, you have a 360 view over Rio de Janeiro.

You will be able to see Sugar Loaf Mountain right in front and Guanabara Bay in all its beauty. You can also see the beautiful beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon, as well as the Lagoon. On your left, you will be able to see the North Zone neighborhoods, and you can even spot Maracana Stadium from up there.

How much does it cost to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio?

Adult prices for a single ticket visit to Christ the Redeemer in 2024:

By van: R$ 81.50 (USD 16.60) – Check prices here.

By cog train: R$ 122.50 (USD 25) during the high season, R$ 97.50 (USD 20) during the low season – Check prices here.

Elderly, children up to 11 y.o and groups can have discounted tickets. 

Please note that the price of the entrance ticket to Christ the Redeemer can vary throughout the year as they may change the price between the high and low seasons.

Christ the Redeemer’s visiting hours

The Christ the Redeemer is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm.

The Corcovado cog train works from 8 am to 5 pm during weekdays and until 6 pm on weekends.

The last official van leaves the top of Corcovado at 6h30 pm.

If you will hike up, the latest you can start the trail is 3 pm from Parque Lage.

What is the best time to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio?

The best time to visit Christ the Redeemer is in the early morning.

Early morning will give you the chance to catch the first hours before the attraction gets too crowded. The busiest time at Christ the Redeemer is usually between 10 am and 3 pm.

Another great option is to visit Christ the Redeemer in the late afternoon. However, since the sun sets behind the statue itself, it is not the best time for taking pictures of Christ itself. The golden light shining in the city makes for a magical city view, though.

What is the best day of the week to visit Christ the Redeemer?

The best day of the week to visit Christ the Redeemer is during the weekdays. 

On Saturdays and Sundays, there are usually more tourists visiting the Corcovado because you get an additional influx of local visitors, besides the tourists coming from out of Rio.

If you want to avoid crowds, the best combination of time and day to visit Christ the Redeemer is on a weekday morning, right after the tourist attraction opens at 8 am.

Read also:

• Best time of the year to visit Rio
• How many days do you need to visit Rio

What to expect from your visit to Christ the Redeemer

Here is an overview of what you will find at the top of Christ the Redeemer to help you plan your visit:

Accessibility

The entrance to Christ the Redeemer is wheelchair accessible and there are elevators to help people with limited mobility. The only issue comes on the last flight of stairs that take you to the top part where the statue is located. In this last stretch, there are automatic escalators, but nothing wheelchair-friendly, unfortunately. 

I hope they manage to figure this part out as such an important and iconic monument should be accessible to all people.

Food & drinks

At the top of Corcovado, you will find one little bar that serves snacks and drinks. They have very limited seats but since they don’t serve full meals, people come and go very quickly, so it is usually easy to find a spot.

PS: All snacks and drinks are fairly overpriced, which is expected considering the location.

You are allowed to bring food and drinks into the park. We strongly recommend bringing at least a water bottle with you. It can get very hot up there.

Shops & Souvenirs

There are several souvenir shops along the way up where you can buy all sorts of items to bring home with the iconic image of Christ the Redeemer.

Drone & images

It is not allowed to fly the drone in Corcovado around Christ the Redeemer, according to people who work at the park.

I have seen a lot of footage of people flying drones around the Christ and they are mostly flying in the early morning from the Dona Marta viewpoint. Be very careful if flying the drone during the day as the airspace gets very busy with helicopters around the statue.

As for photography, you can take your camera or phone and take your own photos anywhere around the Christ. Tripods are also allowed, even though I can’t imagine how they can be useful during the busy hours of the day.

There are also a few spots where you will see the official Corcovado crew with set-up picture spots that they will try to sell you afterward.

Is it safe to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio?

I can say that Christ the Redeemer is a very safe place to visit.

While Rio de Janeiro is known to be a destination where people are constantly worried about safety, in the Christ statue, this was not an issue for us at all. There is a lot of security and we felt safe at all times.

That’s not to say you should be careless – we always advise you to be attentive to your belongings, wherever you go.

Important tips for visiting Christ the Redeemer

• Keep your entry ticket because you will need it for the ride down
• Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes as it tends to get quite hot
• Pay attention to the weather forecast, we recommend going up on Corcovado only on clear days so you can have a very good view of the city below
• The main platform is the busiest part as it is where all the tourists stand, but we recommend you also explore the other platforms as they offer some amazing views of the city
• The tickets to Christ the Redeemer are rarely sold out so there is no need to book your visit with too much time in advance. Instead, the best thing to do is wait until you get to Rio and see that the forecast will be good before you book your visit
• Crowds are inevitable. Take your time when taking pictures and try to take in the view as much as possible, because this place is very special

Personal opinion: Is it worth it to visit Christ the Redeemer?

Yes, absolutely!

This is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rio de Janeiro and visiting it is a must when you come to the city. 

I must admit that, as a local, this is something I have put off for quite a long time because it always felt like a “tourist trap”. I am very glad that I have taken the time to visit it with Edo because I really loved the experience.

There is something about being so close to one of the 7 Wonders of the World… I got so excited when I got to the feet of the statue and could see my entire city from up there. It is an experience I will definitely recommend to anyone visiting Rio.

FAQ – Questions about visiting the Christ and Corcovado

What is the cheapest way to visit Christ the Redeemer?

The cheapest way to visit Christ the Redeemer is hiking, as it is entirely free.

If this is not an option for you, the second cheapest way to visit Christ the Redeemer is by van.

Can you go to Christ the Redeemer by Uber?

You cannot get to Christ the Redeemer by Uber, but it can take you to one of the boarding points for the van or the cog train.

Only the Tijuca National Park official transport can go up to the Christ statue itself.

Read also: Using Uber in Rio de Janeiro

Can you go inside the Christ statue?

No, you cannot go inside the Christ statue. 

However, on the pedestal that holds the Christ, there is a small chapel where you can go inside.

How long does it take to visit Christ the Redeemer?

The visit to Christ the Redeemer will take between 3-4 hours, depending on how long you will spend taking pictures at the top. For us, it took us 3h30 in total, including time to stop for snacks.

How tall is Christ the Redeemer?

The Christ the Redeemer statue is 30 meters (98 ft) high, excluding the 8-meter (26 ft) pedestal.

What else to visit in Rio besides Christ the Redeemer?

Here are some of our favorite things to do and see in Rio:

• Go up the Sugar Loaf
• Hike Pedra da Gavea
• Explore Rio’s beaches
• Watch the sunset at Arpoador
• Visit Maracana

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Overall, visiting the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is an unforgettable experience. We hope this guide has convinced you to see it for yourself, and showed you the best way to do it.

If you have any questions that we didn’t cover about visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio, feel free to send us a message or leave a comment below.

Happy travels!

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