Transfer to/from - Recife airport (REC)

 

Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in Recife airport (REC)

Transportation

 

Recife International Airport (REC) features excellent integration with the public transportation system, standing out as one of the few in Brazil directly connected to the Metro via a pedestrian footbridge. Additionally, it has organized areas for ride-sharing services.

Ride-sharing Apps

Uber and 99 services operate regularly. Due to recent changes in traffic organization (effective since mid-2024), the meeting point has changed to improve flow.

Meeting Point (Pick-up):
To board your vehicle, you must head to the Ground Floor (Piso Térreo), exiting through gates A1 or A2 towards the "North Boarding Area" (Área de Embarque Norte). Pick-ups are no longer permitted on the upper floor (which is exclusive for passenger drop-offs).

Metro (CBTU)

The airport is connected to the Aeroporto Station of the Recife Metro network (Metrorec) via a covered pedestrian footbridge that starts in front of the terminal (approx. 500 meters walk).

Line and Destinations:
The station belongs to the South Line (Linha Sul - Blue).
- To the City Center: Take the train towards Recife (Central Station). From there or from Joana Bezerra station, you can transfer to the Center Line towards Jaboatão or Camaragibe.
- To the South: Direction Cajueiro Seco.

Schedule and Frequency:
Operates daily from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. Trains run with a frequency of between 4 and 8 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Fare:
The cost of a single ticket is approximately R$ 4.25 (subject to adjustments). It is purchased at the station's ticket offices.

Official CBTU Recife schedules

Rent a Car

 

Taxis

Taxi service at Recife Airport operates 24 hours a day and is divided into two categories, both located on the Ground Floor, at the arrivals exit.

Special Taxis (Licensed):
These are premium category vehicles (usually from the Coopseta cooperative). They offer pre-established flat rates by zone (fixed fares), which provides certainty about the final cost before getting into the car.
How to hire: You must go to the counters located inside the arrivals hall to pay for the trip and obtain a voucher.

Common Taxis (Regular):
These are conventional white taxis that operate with a taximeter. The queue is located on the outer curb. They are more economical than the special taxis, but the final price depends on traffic conditions.

Estimated travel times:
The airport is located within the urban area, very close to the main hotel zone.

  • Boa Viagem (Hotel Zone): 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Recife Antigo (Historic Center): 30 to 45 minutes (depending on the city's heavy traffic).
  • Olinda: 45 to 60 minutes.

Official transportation information (Aena)

 
 

Latest updates: January 04, 2026

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.
 
 1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening.
 
If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time.
 
If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications.
 
If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.
 
 2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive.
 
Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff.
 
It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver.
 
On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign. If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.

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