Getting There & Away: Belo Horizonte

Air Travel

Major Airports

Belo Horizonte is served by two airports, each with distinct roles in air travel.

Airport Details

Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF): The main international and domestic airport, located in Confins, approximately 40 km (25 miles) north of downtown Belo Horizonte.
Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport (Pampulha Airport - PLU): Situated closer to the city center in the Pampulha neighborhood, mainly serves regional and general aviation flights.
PLU is not typically used by tourists for commercial flights to/from other major cities.

Airlines & Routes

Both domestic and international connections are available through CNF.

Flight Information

Domestic: GOL, LATAM, and Azul offer frequent flights connecting CNF to major Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador).
International: CNF has direct international connections with TAP Air Portugal (Lisbon) and Copa Airlines (Panama City). Azul operates direct flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in the U.S.
Consider Dollar Flight Club for flight deals.

North America Direct

Azul provides direct services to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO). Most flights from North America will connect through major Brazilian cities or Panama City with Copa Airlines.

Europe Direct

Direct flights are available from Lisbon, operated by TAP Air Portugal and Azul. Travelers from other European hubs usually connect through São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Explore options on Skyscanner.

South America Direct

CNF offers direct flights from Santiago (LATAM), Buenos Aires (GOL, LATAM), and Panama City (Copa Airlines).

Seasonal Price Fluctuations

Higher Price Periods

Brazilian holiday periods: Carnival (late Feb/early Mar), Christmas, New Year's, July school holidays.
Dry season (May-August): Increased prices due to pleasant weather.
Booking several months in advance (3-6 months) often results in better prices, especially for international routes.
Flexibility with travel dates can help find more economical fares.

Airport Facilities at CNF

Various restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops.
Currency exchange services and ATMs available.
Car rental agencies have desks at the airport.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport.

Transfer Options from CNF

Conexão Aeroporto Bus

Official airport bus service with executive (more comfortable) and conventional (more stops, cheaper) lines. Connects to strategic points like Terminal Álvares Cabral in downtown Belo Horizonte.

Taxi & Ride-sharing

Official airport taxis readily available with fixed rates. Uber and 99 are available at CNF; follow in-app instructions for designated pickup points. Ride-sharing often presents a cost-effective private transfer option.

Private Transfers

Pre-book private transfers through your hotel or various tour operators for convenience upon arrival. This provides a direct and hassle-free journey.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Belo Horizonte has limited passenger train services, mainly focused on scenic routes rather than quick transit.

Passenger Rail

"Trem da Vale" (Vitoria-Minas Railway) connects Belo Horizonte's Central Station to Vitória (Espírito Santo).
This is a long but scenic journey, used more for tourism and the experience.
Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for preferred seating classes.

Long-distance Bus Options

The Rodoviária de Belo Horizonte (Central Bus Station) is the main hub for intercity and interstate bus travel.

Bus Travel Insights

Companies: Gontijo, Itapemirim, Viação Cometa, Expresso Gardênia operate routes to virtually every major city in Brazil.
Quality: Brazilian long-distance buses are generally comfortable, offering conventional, executive, semi-leito, and leito services.
Booking: Purchase tickets at the bus station, online via company websites, or through aggregator sites like ClickBus. Advance booking is advisable.

Self-Driving Considerations

Rental & Requirements

Requirements: Valid home country driver's license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Minimum age typically 21 (sometimes 25).
A major credit card in the driver's name is required for the deposit.
Companies: Major international chains (Hertz, Avis) and Brazilian companies (Localiza, Movida, Unidas) have offices at CNF and in the city. Consider DiscoverCars.com for bookings.

Road Conditions & Safety

Awareness of driving conditions and local habits is important for safe journeys.

Driving Insights

Road Conditions: Major highways are generally paved and in reasonable condition but can be busy. Rural roads vary widely.
Safety Concerns: Road quality can deteriorate quickly. Driving habits can be aggressive. Avoid driving at night on less-traveled roads.
Navigation: A GPS system (Google Maps, Waze) is useful. Toll roads are common on major highways.

Driving Laws & Risks

Drive on the right side of the road.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
Headlights must be on during the day when driving on highways.

Using a cell phone while driving is against the law.
Brazil has strict drunk driving laws ("Lei Seca").
Road signage may be in Portuguese only. Speed cameras are common.

Departure Information

Exit Procedures & Timing

International flights departing Brazil usually include an embarkation tax within the ticket price. No separate cash exit fees are paid at the airport.

Departure Advice

International Flights (CNF): Arrive at Tancredo Neves International Airport at least 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
This allows ample time for check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and immigration control.
Domestic Flights (CNF): Arrive at least 1.5-2 hours before scheduled departure.

Bus Departure Details

Bus Station Advice

Bus Departures (Rodoviária): Arrive at least 30-60 minutes before departure.
This is important if you need to pick up tickets or check luggage.
Station Facilities: At Rodoviária, find eateries, small shops, and waiting areas for passengers.

Banking Services

ATMs from major banks and currency exchange services are available at both the airport and the main bus station.

Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF), assisting with last-minute travel arrangements.

Shopping & Dining

CNF offers various restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops for convenience before your flight.

Important Note

Border Crossings

Border crossing information is not applicable for direct arrival or departure from Belo Horizonte, as it is an inland city. Brazil shares land borders with most South American countries. Procedures for border crossings vary by specific border post and nationality. If you plan to enter Brazil by land from a neighboring country, research those specific border requirements.

Getting There & Away