How to get to Ilha Grande from Rio de Janeiro: buses, transfers, boats and prices (2026)

How to get to Ilha Grande from Rio de Janeiro: buses, transfers, boats and prices (2026)

Rio to Vila do Abraão takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours door to door. Shared transfer with the boat included for R$ 201 per person per leg, Costa Verde bus + flex boat from Conceição de Jacareí from R$ 140, the Mangaratiba ferry, private speedboats for groups, and the one thing nobody includes: the 2026 tourist tax. Prices from September 2026 — the checkout price is final.

Seasonal promotional prices: the checkout is what counts. The transfers and boats in this guide are booked online and the final price is the one on the listing for your travel date; bus, walk-up flex boat and ferry fares are market ranges from September 2026 — confirm with the operator before you leave.

Ilha Grande has no airport and no bridge. From Rio de Janeiro you cross the Costa Verde by road to one of three ports — Conceição de Jacareí, Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba — and cover the last stretch by boat to Vila do Abraão. Door to door it takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on traffic on the Rio-Santos highway. The option most people book is the shared van + boat transfer: R$ 200 per person on the Ilha Grande ↔ Rio leg, or CLP $35,563 (about R$ 201) per person and per leg leaving Rio with hotel pickup. On your own, the Costa Verde bus to Conceição is R$ 56.75 and the flex boat R$ 80 to R$ 150, so R$ 140 to R$ 210 in total, with one more change and fewer departures.

What almost no page writes next to the price: the last flex boat from Conceição leaves around 5:30 pm and the Mangaratiba ferry runs once a day; arrive later and you sleep on the mainland or pay for a private boat. And from 2026 Angra dos Reis charges a tourist tax on arrival that no transfer includes.

Flying in, no car, with a suitcase: door-to-door transfer. Time to spare and a backpack: bus to Conceição + flex boat. Group of 8 to 15: the private Octopus speedboat costs about the same per head as the transfer, with no fixed timetable.

The ways to get there from Rio, with the price per person

  • Shared transfer Rio → Vila do Abraão (van + boat) — CLP $35,563 per person per leg (≈ R$ 201; peak rate of about CLP $42,817 from 26 Dec to 7 Jan and 5 to 10 Feb) — hotel or airport pickup, insurance and the crossing included; pickup time confirmed by WhatsApp the day before
  • Shared transfer Ilha Grande ↔ Rio (Rupe Tour) — R$ 200 per person (≈ CLP $36,400) + CLP $7,300 online booking fee — van for up to 12, also works for the way back
  • Costa Verde bus Rio → Conceição de Jacareí + flex boat — R$ 56.75 + R$ 80 to R$ 150 = R$ 140 to R$ 210 (≈ CLP $25,000 to $38,000) — 2.5 h by bus + 20 to 25 min by boat
  • Bus Rio → Angra dos Reis + Angra ↔ Abraão flexboat — bus fare to confirm + R$ 120 (≈ CLP $21,800) — 3 h by bus + about 1 h by boat
  • Bus Rio → Mangaratiba + ferry (Barcas Rio) — bus fare to confirm + R$ 20.50 — the cheapest boat, 1 h 20 to 1 h 50, one sailing a day
  • Private Octopus speedboat from Conceição de Jacareí — R$ 1,125 per boat one way (≈ CLP $199,046), up to 15 people — from R$ 75 a head with a full boat; from Angra R$ 1,375

The first two and the four Octopus boats are booked here; the bus, walk-up flex boat and ferry are bought at the counter or on the operator's site. Below, what each option includes and what it leaves out.

Door-to-door transfer: van + boat in about 4 hours

The van picks you up at your hotel, guesthouse or the airport (Centro, Zona Sul, Galeão and Santos Dumont among the zones served) and drives the Rio-Santos highway to the port. There you board the flex boat and step off in Vila do Abraão after a crossing of about 15 minutes. The exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp by 10 pm the day before — which is why the booking asks for your address in Rio.

  • Included: shared air-conditioned van with cameras and GPS tracking
  • Included: boat crossing (flex boat) to Vila do Abraão
  • Included: travel insurance and pickup at hotels or guesthouses in the zones served
  • Included: 1 small or medium suitcase + 1 small backpack per person
  • Not included: meals on the way, accommodation, tours on the island
  • Not included: extra or oversized luggage (charged separately) and a private boat if you are staying outside Vila do Abraão
  • Not included: the Angra dos Reis tourist tax charged on arrival (2026)

Experiencia: transfer-rio-de-janeiro-ilha-grande-con-barco-2 — Desde $35.563

For the return — or if you would rather pay most of it in reais on the day — Rupe Tour runs the same leg between Vila do Abraão and Rio for R$ 200 per person. You pay CLP $7,300 online when booking; the R$ 200 goes straight to the operator in cash or Pix on travel day. The listing is clear: a local boat, when your accommodation needs one, is extra.

Experiencia: transfer-ilha-grande-rio-de-janeiro — Desde $42.463

On your own: Conceição de Jacareí, Angra or Mangaratiba

Three ports, three different sums. Conceição de Jacareí is the closest to Abraão (20 to 25 minutes by flex boat) and has the most departures: boats leave almost hourly from 8 am until around 5:30 pm, one way from R$ 80 to R$ 150 depending on season and operator. The Costa Verde bus leaves Rio's main bus terminal (Rodoviária Novo Rio) and takes about 2.5 hours to the Conceição turnoff; the fare is R$ 56.75, and on the way back buses from Conceição to Rio leave at 5:40, 7:40, 9:40 am, 1:10, 3:40, 5:40, 7:20 and 9:20 pm.

Angra dos Reis is further from Rio (about 3 hours by bus) and the crossing to Abraão takes 45 minutes to 1 hour on the flexboat. It makes sense if you are coming from Angra or the Conceição timetable does not work for you. Rupe Tour's Angra ↔ Abraão flexboat is R$ 120 per person; getting to the terminal is on you.

Experiencia: flexboat-angra-dos-reis-ilha-grande-abraao — Desde $28.309

Mangaratiba is the route of the traditional ferry, now run by the Barcas Rio consortium (CCR Barcas gave up the concession). It is the cheapest boat to the island: R$ 20.50 a leg and 1 h 20 to 1 h 50 on the water. It leaves Mangaratiba at 8 am and returns from Abraão at 5:30 pm, every day (Moovit, 11 October 2026; Barcas Rio does not publish its timetable, so confirm on 0800 721 10 12). The Angra ferry is a different one: per the sources it sails in the afternoon, at 3 pm (or 3:30 pm) on weekdays and 1 pm (or 1:30 pm) on weekends and holidays, returning at 10 am. It suits people on a tight budget who can be in Mangaratiba by 8 am. Times and fares change with the season — check the Barcas Rio site before buying the bus ticket.

  • Conceição de Jacareí — 20 to 25 min by flex boat, near-hourly departures until ~5:30 pm, R$ 80 to R$ 150 — for arriving fast with light luggage
  • Angra dos Reis — 45 min to 1 h by flexboat, R$ 120 with Rupe Tour — if you are already in Angra or coming from elsewhere on the coast
  • Mangaratiba — 1 h 20 to 1 h 50 by ferry, R$ 20.50, one sailing a day — for a tight budget and a whole free day

Private Octopus speedboat: from Conceição or Angra, up to 15 people

For groups the maths flips. Coco Boat's Octopus takes up to 15 people from Conceição de Jacareí to Abraão for R$ 1,125 one way (R$ 1,875 return) and from Angra for R$ 1,375 (R$ 2,375 return). With a full boat that is R$ 75 to R$ 92 a head one way — less than the transfer — and no dependence on the flex boat timetable. You pay 20% online in Chilean pesos when booking and the balance directly to Coco Boat. Skipper and life jackets are included; oversized luggage and long waits are agreed in advance.

Experiencia: coco-priv-conceicao-ida — Desde $199.046

Experiencia: coco-priv-conceicao-ida-volta — Desde $331.744

Experiencia: coco-priv-angra-ida — Desde $243.279

Experiencia: coco-priv-angra-ida-volta — Desde $420.209

Coming from Paraty: by road or by sea

If your trip starts in Paraty, Rupe Tour's shared road transfer covers the leg to the port and the crossing for R$ 330 per person in about 3 hours — the boat to Abraão, when needed, is extra. By sea the price is per boat, not per person: R$ 1,290 to Araçatiba (a beach on the island's west side) or R$ 1,890 to Vila do Abraão, for up to 8 people, in about 1.5 hours along the Costa Verde. It pays off from 4 people who do not want to change vehicles.

Experiencia: transfer-por-tierra-paraty-ilha-grande — Desde $65.464

Experiencia: transfer-por-mar-paraty-aracatiba-ilha-grande — Desde $238.856

Experiencia: transfer-por-mar-paraty-vila-do-abraao — Desde $348.552

If you arrive late: the last boat

This is the detail that decides your day. In Conceição de Jacareí the last regular flex boat leaves around 5:30 pm (some operators stretch to 6:30 pm in high season); the Mangaratiba ferry leaves at 8 am and returns from Abraão at 5:30 pm, with no second sailing that day; the Angra ferry sails in the afternoon (3 pm on weekdays, 1 pm on weekends). A bus leaving Rio after 2 pm is already a gamble on the Rio-Santos highway. If you miss the boat you have three ways out: sleep in Conceição or Angra and cross in the morning, hire a private speedboat arranged in advance (do not count on a walk-up boat at night), or book the door-to-door transfer, which leaves early with the boat already lined up. Flights landing in Rio after noon pair better with a night in the city and the crossing the next day.

No cars on the island: what changes when you land

Ilha Grande is a protected area and private cars do not circulate. From the Vila do Abraão pier you continue on foot — the village guesthouses are 2 to 15 minutes' walk — and porters with carts charge per bag. That is why the transfers talk about one medium suitcase: wheels on sand do not help. If you are staying at another beach (Araçatiba, Praia Vermelha, Aventureiro), the transfer ends in Abraão and the next leg is a local boat or taxi-boat, paid separately. On the island everything is trail or boat: the tours leave from the same pier where you arrive.

The 2026 tourist tax: what no transfer includes

Angra dos Reis charges a Sustainable Tourism Tax that merges the old environmental preservation fee, the tourism fee and the boarding fee. Since 1 June 2026 the amount for visitors to Ilha Grande is R$ 50 per person if you can prove at least two nights in registered lodging and R$ 100 without proof; a day trip from Angra is about R$ 28 (approximate amounts per the Rio hotel association ABIH-RJ, 22 July 2026). You pay on the Viva Angra portal or at kiosks in town and on the island. Exempt: children under 12, people over 60, people with disabilities and residents. No transfer or boat in this guide includes the tax: bring the amount separately and keep your lodging booking as proof. Collection continues as of October 2026; confirm the current amount on Viva Angra before you travel.

Where to sleep near the pier

Arriving late in the afternoon and walking as little as possible is the criterion. These three are a few minutes from the Vila do Abraão pier and are booked by WhatsApp, with payment on arrival.

Alojamiento: bouganvile-vibe-ilha-grande

Alojamiento: che-lagarto-ilha-grande

Alojamiento: holandes-hostel-ilha-grande

Where to stay in Ilha Grande: 9 places in Abraão with prices (PT)

Once you are there

With the boat sorted, the rest is decided at the pier: Lopes Mendes by boat and trail for R$ 70, the shared speedboats to Lagoa Azul and around the island, or a private Octopus for the group. Prices per person and per boat are in the two sister guides.

Things to do in Ilha Grande: 8 tours with prices (PT)

8 private speedboats in Ilha Grande: routes and prices (PT)

Destino: ilha-grande

From Rio to the island the route is always the same: road to one of three ports and a boat to Abraão. What changes is how much you pay and what time you arrive — and that is decided before you leave the house.

Book at reservasilhagrande.com

Frequently asked questions

How much is the transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande?

The shared van + boat transfer with hotel pickup costs CLP $35,563 per person per leg (about R$ 201; about CLP $42,817 from 26 Dec to 7 Jan and 5 to 10 Feb; a round trip is two bookings) leaving Rio, and R$ 200 per person on the Ilha Grande ↔ Rio leg run by Rupe Tour, with a CLP $7,300 online booking and the balance in cash or Pix on the day. Both include the boat crossing to Vila do Abraão. Prices from September 2026 — the checkout price is final.

What is the cheapest way to get to Ilha Grande from Rio?

Costa Verde bus to Mangaratiba and the Barcas Rio ferry to Abraão, with the ferry at R$ 20.50. The trade-off is time: 1 h 20 to 1 h 50 on the water and a single sailing a day (8 am from Mangaratiba, returning at 5:30 pm). The next option is the bus to Conceição de Jacareí (R$ 56.75) + flex boat (R$ 80 to R$ 150), R$ 140 to R$ 210 in total.

Conceição de Jacareí, Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba: which port should I use?

Conceição de Jacareí is the fastest port (20 to 25 minutes by flex boat) and has the most departures, almost hourly until around 5:30 pm. Angra is further from Rio and the crossing takes 45 minutes to 1 hour; it suits people already in town. Mangaratiba is the slow, cheap ferry with one sailing a day. The transfers in this guide use Conceição or Angra.

What time is the last boat to Ilha Grande?

In Conceição de Jacareí the last regular flex boat leaves around 5:30 pm, with some operators running until 6:30 pm in high season. The Mangaratiba ferry leaves at 8 am and returns from Abraão at 5:30 pm; the Angra one sails in the afternoon (3 pm on weekdays, 1 pm on weekends). After that it is a private boat arranged in advance or a night on the mainland. Timetables change with the season — confirm with the operator the day before.

Can I go straight from Galeão airport to Ilha Grande?

Yes. The shared transfer picks up at Galeão and Santos Dumont as well as hotels in Centro and Zona Sul, and takes about 4 hours to Vila do Abraão with the boat included. The pickup time arrives by WhatsApp by 10 pm the day before. Flights landing after noon risk missing the last boat; in that case sleep in Rio and cross in the morning.

How do I get to Ilha Grande from Paraty?

By road, Rupe Tour's shared transfer costs R$ 330 per person and takes about 3 hours to the port, with the boat to Abraão extra when needed. By sea the boat is priced per vessel: R$ 1,290 to Araçatiba or R$ 1,890 to Vila do Abraão, for up to 8 people, in about 1.5 hours. Online booking of CLP $7,300 to $14,600 and the balance in reais to the operator.

Is there a fee to enter Ilha Grande in 2026?

Yes. Angra dos Reis charges a Sustainable Tourism Tax that merges the environmental preservation, tourism and boarding fees. Since 1 June 2026: R$ 50 if you can prove at least two nights in registered lodging, R$ 100 without proof and about R$ 28 for a day trip from Angra (ABIH-RJ, 22 July 2026). You pay on the Viva Angra portal or at kiosks. No transfer or boat includes the tax; bring the amount separately and confirm on the portal.

Are there cars or taxis on Ilha Grande?

No. Ilha Grande is a protected area and private cars do not circulate. From Vila do Abraão you walk to your accommodation (2 to 15 minutes within the village) and hire a porter with a cart if your suitcase is large. Beaches outside the village are reached by trail or local boat, paid separately.