If you are going to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first time, there is little chance that you will not want to check out Christ the Redeemer or Cristo Redentor in Portuguese, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
It happened to us, and happens to most, that Christ the Redeemer is part of Rio de Janeiro itinerary on the first visit to the marvelous city.
Between navigating transportation options, securing tickets before they sell out and timing your visit to avoid both crowds and clouds, visiting Christ the Redeemer involves some logistics.
That is why we have created this comprehensive guide on how to visit Christ the Redeemer, based on our experience of visiting the iconic attraction and everything we learnt in the process.
Christ the Redeemer Visit: Quick Overview
Don’t have time to read all the details? Here is what you need to know:
🚃 3 Ways to visit the Christ the Redeemer Site:
| Options | Where to Book (All include Entry Ticket to Christ the Redeemer) |
|---|---|
| Official Corcovado Train (self-guided) | Book return trip ticket on trem do corcovado site, OR Book here with free cancellation up to 24 before |
| Official Van (self-guided) | Book van ticket on official site here 3 pickup spots: Copacabana, Largo do Machado, Paineiras Visitor Center |
| Combo Tour (guided tour with pickup) | Book this full day tour: Iconic attractions of Rio de Janeiro + Lunch + Transportation |
Tips for visiting Christ the Redeemer:
✅ If you want flexibility and views on the way up, choose the train. This is the option we took.
✅ If you do not wish to navigate transport on your own and prefer the logistics planned for you, book the combo tour. Also, you get to visit other iconic spots of Rio de Janeiro.
☀️ Best time: We recommend the early morning hours for chances of clear views of the Christ the Redeemer.
➡️ Related Reading: 5 days in Rio de Janeiro Itinerary
📃 Do not forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip. We use:
- Heymondo Travel Insurance (get 5% discount, auto applies), OR
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
* Discount not applicable for US residents
How to Book Your Visit to Christ the Redeemer
Let us get to the most important part first: securing your tickets for visiting Christ the Redeemer.
🗓️ When to book the Christ the Redeemer tickets?
Reserve several days ahead if visiting during December to March, July, or on weekends and holidays.
These peak periods can sell out completely, particularly the popular time slots. So, do not leave this to chance.
Corcovado Train Option: Self-Guided
Corcovado Train: How it works
- Purchase tickets for a specific time slot on the desired visit date.
- Arrive at Cosme Velho station 20 to 30 minutes early.
- Board the train, and enjoy the ride to the summit station.
This is the Google Maps location of the Cosme Velho Station. The station is located in the Cosme Velho neighborhood, and you can take a taxi directly to the station from where you are staying in Rio. That is what we did.
The other option, if you come by Metro, is to take a taxi or bus from the Largo do Machado subway station.
🎟️ You can book the Corcovado train and Christ the Redeemer access here in advance with option of free cancellation up to 24 hours or you can book on the trem do corcovado site.
Pick a train timing when booking the ticket. You need to get to the Cosme Velho station before your booked time slot and show your ticket.
✔️ Tip: We recommend booking in the morning hours. There is a chance to have lesser crowd, clear and cooler weather.
When you reach the station, you will need to stand in a queue to board the train to Corcovado.
After visiting the Christ the Redeemer, you can take the train back to Cosmo Velho.
There is no specific time for the return train, and it is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
🚃 Why take the Train? It is an iconic and scenic way to visit Christ the Redeemer, however, train tickets may sell out quickly during peak season.
🏠 If you are staying in Santa Teresa, you will be a short tax ride away from Cosme Velho. Read our guide on best areas to stay in Rio.
Van Transport Option: Self-Guided
Van Transportation: How it works
- Book van for your time slot
- Meet at your chosen pickup point.
- Take the van to Paineiras Visitor Center
- Transfer to the summit van for the final ascent.
This is another official option where the transportation is in a van. Choose your pick-up point and your preferred time. The timings may differ by the pick-up points.
🎟️ The ticket includes round-trip transport and access to Christ the Redeemer. You can book it here.
You are picked up from your chosen pickup location among 3 options: Copacabana, Largo do Machado and Paineiras.
📍 Copacabana: Pick-up location is near Praça do Lido, close to the Cardeal Arcoverde Station.
📍 Largo do Machado: The pick-up location is 2 minutes walk from the Largo do Machado metro station in front of the Nossa Sehora da Gloria Church or Parish Church of our Lady of Glory Church.
📍 Paineiras Visitors Center: Just 15 minutes away from the Christ the Redeemer statue, the best way to get to this pick-up point is using Uber or similar cab service.
🚐 Why take the Van? 3 pickup points including Copacabana, and more departure timing options than the train.
➡️ If you are staying in Copacabana, say the popular Copacabana Palace Hotel, you will be a short walk away from the pick up point.
Combo Tour that includes visit to Christ the Redeemer
Combo Tour: How it works
Book the tour, and check the pickup timings and inclusions.
As the logistics are taken care of, just follow your guide’s suggestions.
Book this guided tour that takes you to Christ the Redeemer, as well as other iconic attractions in Rio de Janeiro, like Sugarloaf Mountain and Selaron Steps.
This tour allows free cancellation for up to 24 hours before the tour start time, which enables you to accommodate for change in travel plans, if needed.
The tour price includes:
- All necessary entry tickets
- All-you-can-eat buffet lunch
- Transportation
- Services of a licensed guide
✅ Why take a guided tour? Relax and enjoy Rio’s most visited landmarks without worrying about the logistics.
Can you Hike to the Christ the Redeemer?
You can hike to Christ the Redeemer.
There is a hiking trail in Jardim Botanico, from Parque Lage though the Tijuca National Park. Look for Trilha Parque Lage-Corcovado on Google Maps.
However, we do not recommend the hike for the possible safety issues.
The trail goes through the forest with various points with great views of the city and ends with flight of stairs.
If you are going for the hike, which may take 2 to 3 hours, you can buy just the entrance ticket at the entrance. So carry the cash, but do not carry any valuable.
➡️ Related Reading: How to stay safe in Rio de Janeiro?
Self-Guided Visit vs Tour: Which Is Right For You?
On our trip to first trip to Rio, we visited Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain on our own, on different days, all by using public transport.
However, if we had limited time and wanted to maximize our sightseeing in a day, we would have booked this full-day combo tour to see Rio’s highlights.
To help you decide, here is a comparison of self-guided vs. guided tour for visiting Christ the Redeemer:
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Self‑Guided | Flexibility Comfortable with transit On a budget Prefer own pace |
| Guided Tour | All logistics handled Prefer pickup Value a guide Combining sights |
Christ the Redeemer: Our Experience in Corcovado Train & at the Summit
The first step in planning our experience was to decide the time of our visit and how to get to there.
⏰ We planned to go self-guided in the Corcovado train and booked the earliest hour available.
Our target was to go in with the first batch of crowd. We took an Uber to the starting station, Cosme Velho, showed our tickets and joined the queue to board the train.
The Corcovado Train Ride to the Summit
The Corcovado train goes uphill, but at a slow pace. The first part of the ride goes between residential apartments and houses, but soon turns into lush green vegetation of the forest. As the train gained altitude, we could see the surrounding scenery unfold.
The train ride takes about 20-25 minutes through the Tijuca forest to the top of the Corcovado mountain.
After disembarking, we walked on a flat path for a short while to reach a flight of stairs that took us to the platform of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Accessibility Features: Alternatively, there are escalators or elevators to the feet of the statue, whether you arrive by train or by van.
We got to see the statue from the back side first. As we kept climbing the stairs, the front of the statue revealed.
Christ the Redeemer: The Statue and Platform
There it stood, the iconic Christ the Redeemer, arms outstretched, with Rio de Janeiro spread out below.
This was us, witnessing our third Wonder of the Modern World in the Americas, after having visited Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Although it was a religious installation, Christ the Redeemer is much more than that now. The 30-meter tall statue, set atop an 8-meter high pedestal, has become synonymous with Rio de Janeiro.
The main terrace is typically bustling with energy. It widens in front of the statue, but the best city views are from its narrower section which is a few stairs lower than the upper platform.
You will soon see cameras and phones pointing in every direction, and witness the excitement for the perfect view.
📷 You may need to queue for the classic photo with the statue, from the lower platform with upward angles of Christ the Redeemer behind.
Since we arrived early, we managed a few quick shots with help from other visitors, but it gets crowded very quickly.
✔️ Tip: Try to create your own photo compositions, like we did, with alternative angles from the side.
Christ the Redeemer gets really crowded, and the area at the top is not huge enough to accommodate big crowds.
But, it is still worth spending some time up there. Find your own quiet spot and take your time to soak in the sweeping aerial views of this beautiful city.
We stepped a few feet away from the statue and leaned against the railings, admiring the cityscape of Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema Beach and the Guanabara Bay.
Is Christ the Redeemer worth it? Our Take
Yes, Christ the Redeemer is more than a checklist statue, in our opinion.
❓ We can debate its inclusion in the “New 7 Wonders of the Modern World”, however, we could not deny the entirety of the experience of visiting Christ the Redeemer.
Up at the summit, the way Rio reveals at your feet with mountains, beaches, islands dotting the bay, is spectacular.
Also, while traveling in Rio, we could see Christ the Redeemer from various corners of the city, and felt that its relevance with Rio is undeniable.
Sometimes we loved the views of the statue from different areas, even more than when we were at the site, like from the Sugarloaf Mountain, or from the Santa Teresa neighborhood. However, knowing the statue up close helped us appreciate it more.
Christ the Redeemer: Brief History
The Christ the Redeemer statue was proposed in 1920 by the Catholic body of Rio. The final design, Christ with open arms, was designed by Brazilian civil engineers Heitor da Silva Costa and Carlos Oswald. Based on the design, the statue was built by French-Polish Sculptor Paul Landowski. The construction started in 1922, and it took 9 years to finish.
The statue was inaugurated on October 24, 1931, which was attended by Cardinal Dom Sebastião Leme and President Getúlio Vargas.
Visiting Christ the Redeemer: Planning the Logistics
Here are some key pieces of information to help you plan your visit of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
Operating Hours
Christ the Redeemer is open daily. Train starts from 7:20 am and goes on till late afternoon, until 6:00 pm.
However, hours vary by season, maintenance schedules and special events. Always verify current schedule before finalizing your plans.
Duration
🚗 Door-to-door: For a self-guided trip, allow 2-4 hours total from central Rio, accounting for:
- Transport to your departure point
- Waiting time before departure
- The journey up the mountain
- Time at the statue
- Return journey
It took us around 3 hours, including taxi ride to Cosme Velho, train ride to the summit, time at the platform and onward commute to the next stop for the day.
✔️ Tip: It is not a big place at the summit. So, take your time to fully appreciate the views, take photos from different angles and not feel rushed.
Pricing
Ticket prices vary based on several factors:
- Season: Prices can be premium in hight season
- Transport option: Train typically costs more than vans
- Visitor category: Adult / child rates
- Combo tour with additional things like food or beverages
Self-guided: This official ticket includes train tickets and entry to Christ the Redeemer site. You can pick your train timings and arrive there on time.
Part of a Combo Tour: The tour includes transportation with pick-up, entry tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch and the services of a licensed guide.
Facilities at the Christ the Redeemer
- Restrooms located at multiple points
- Snack bars (expect limited options and higher prices than in the city)
- Souvenir shops near the top and at the visitor center
Visiting Christ the Redeemer: What to Pack and What to Wear
➡️ Related Reading: What to pack for Rio de Janeiro?
Clothing Recommendations
🌡️ Wear light clothes keeping in mind Rio’s tropical climate. The elevation and wind can make it slightly cooler at the top.
☀️ Sun protection is essential: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The terraces offer limited shade, and the sun at this elevation is intense.
Essential Items for Your Daypack
- Water bottle. Stay hydrated, especially if hiking.
- Snacks. On-site options are limited and typically overpriced.
- Light rain jacket or poncho. Weather can change quickly.
- Cash and card for souvenirs and snacks
- ID used for booking
Leave Behind
- Drones (not permitted)
- Large tripods
- Valuables. Be mindful of petty theft.
Plan your Rio de Janeiro Trip
➡️ Rio de Janeiro 5-Day Itinerary
➡️ How to Stay Safe in Rio de Janeiro
➡️ Best Areas to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
➡️ What to Pack for Rio de Janeiro
➡️ eSIM vs. Local SIM in Rio de Janeiro
➡️ Practical Tips for Visiting the Sugarloaf Mountain
➡️ Is it worth taking the Maracana Stadium Tour?
➡️ Little Africa: Our Favorite Cultural Tour in Rio
➡️ How to Experience Rio Carnival
➡️ How to Stay Safe during Rio Carnival
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Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
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