Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Brazil take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
PT fares here are a hybrid. Metro systems in big cities (Salvador, Rio, Sampa) use smart cards,no cash on the turnstile. Buses are more old school, drivers want coins or small notes. I kept R$20 in change each day.
Took the metro in Recife and buses in Olinda,card payments only for metro, cash only for buses. Even in Porto Alegre I noticed the same. So always keep some small bills just in case.
in Rio i used the metro with a reloadable travel card you buy and top up at stations. buses were cash only, and drivers expect correct change. coins or small notes please. 😂
In São Paulo you can hop on buses and metro by just tapping your contactless Visa or Mastercard. They call it “Bilhete Único.” Worked smoothly with my Wise card in June. No need for coins or tickets.