Recife, the capital of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil, has one airport – Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC). After landing, you have four options to consider for your transfer from Recife Airport to downtown which include a taxi, private transfer, metro, or bus. 

The quickest and most convenient option is a Recife Airport taxi or a private transfer. These options have minimal wait times and provide a direct and door-to-door transfer in 20 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. Furthermore, a private Recife Airport transfer offers a fully customizable and personalized service. 

The metro will get you to the historic center in around 35 minutes, although it does involve a 5 to 10-minute walk to the station. Lastly, buses leaving the airport take around 30 minutes to reach downtown, where you will need to transfer to another bus or the metro to reach Old Town. However, both these options are very affordable and a great option for solo or budget travelers.

4 options to go from Recife Airport to city center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€20 20min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Taxi
€10.50 20min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Metro
€1.40 35min 05:00–23:00
Convenience
Read more
Bus
€1.30 30min 05:00–22:30
Convenience
Read more
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How to get from Recife Airport to the city by taxi

A Recife Airport taxi is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get from Recife Airport to the city center. You’ll have the choice of a fixed fare or metered taxi, both of which usually seat four passengers. The ride downtown takes approximately 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. 

*While not common, some hotels can arrange for guests to travel from Recife Airport to the City Center by shuttle; you will need to contact them directly to confirm.

How much is a taxi from Recife Airport to the city center?

As soon as you exit the Arrivals Hall, a line of cabs will be ready to board travelers. These taxis, called “Special Taxis” (Táxi Especial), are specifically authorized to pick up passengers from the airport. They’re a bit pricier than common taxis but offer set rate fares based on your final destination in the city. For Recife Antigo (the old city center) the cost is €10.50 (BRL 60) for up to four people.

If you want to avoid wait times and take advantage of a competitive fixed fare without hidden costs, you can always pre-book your private airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Where do I get a taxi from?

The taxi rank is conveniently located right outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, a member of staff at the terminal exit will ask you if you need a taxi and point you in the direction of the queue, then simply head to the first available driver.

Convenience

A taxi is the most convenient and hassle-free option for a door-to-door transfer to your hotel or apartment. Wait times are minimal, and you’ll be transported in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle in up to half the time of the metro or bus.

Useful Tips

Not all taxis accept payments by card so be sure to have some cash on you.
Tipping is not mandatory for taxi drivers in Recife, however, a fare roundup is always appreciated.
Always confirm the price with your driver before starting your ride.

Getting from Recife Airport to the city center by train

A more affordable transfer option than a taxi is the metro. The Blue Line (Linha Sul) travels from the Airport Station (Estação Aeroporto) to Recife Station in the city center in 25 minutes, where you can either walk, transfer to a bus or take a taxi to reach your accommodation. Keep in mind that the station is a 10-minute walk from the terminal, bringing the journey time to 35 minutes, not including wait or transfer times.

How much is the metro from Recife Airport to the city center?

A single ticket on the metro costs €0.70 (BRL 4.25) per person. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines at the station using card or cash. 

Cost
€0.70
Trip Duration
35 Min.
*The Recife metro system operates 7 days a week from 05:00 to 23:00.
Convenience
Safety
Value for money

The metro from Recife Airport departs every 5 to 8 minutes.

Where do I get the metro from?

The metro’s airport station, Estação Aeroporto, is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the terminals. The subway platform is close to Minister Salgado Filho Square, opposite the airport. To get there, you will need to cross the footbridge opposite boarding gate B6. The footpath is wide, making it easier for you to carry your luggage on the way to the station.

Convenience

The metro is not the most convenient way to travel. The upside is that wait times are short and you can reach the historic center comfortably in 35 minutes. However, if you’re traveling with children or a large group, or you have heavy luggage, the walk to and from the station might be a bit of a struggle.

Timetables

Metro Timetable

Useful Tips

You can change to the Central metro line at Recife Station.
During peak hours, wait times may exceed 8 minutes if cars passing from the airport station are too crowded.
Along the way to the historic center some stations are “integrated”, meaning they have direct connections to bus lines using the same single ticket.
It's not possible to travel from Recife Airport to the city center by tram. The metro is the only train service.

Getting from Recife Airport to the city center by bus

Several bus lines serve Recife Airport, however, the most direct and convenient option is Line 26 which travels along the coast before reaching the city center. The bus travels to the Joana Bezerra Interchange in around 30 minutes, which is on the outskirts of the city ring. This means you will likely need to transfer to another bus to reach your final destination.

Bus fare from Recife Airport to Recife city center

A single bus ticket on the Grande Recife network costs €0.65 (BRL 4.10) per person. Tickets can be purchased from the driver using Brazilian reals.

Cost
€0.65
Trip Duration
30 Min.
*Recife buses operate 7 days a week from 05:00 to 22:30. On Sundays, services may stop earlier at 22:00.
Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Recife buses run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus stops are conveniently located in front of the Arrivals Hall. You will see signs for the bus as soon as you claim your luggage and exit the terminal building.

Convenience

The bus is the most cost-effective option for a transfer to downtown, but not the most convenient one. Many buses aren’t air-conditioned – which is a big disadvantage in Recife’s tropical climate, plus they can get crowded during rush hours. For roughly the same price, the metro is a better choice if you are on a budget and you don’t mind the walk to the metro station. 

Timetables

Bus Timetables and Information

Useful Tips

Buses can get crowded during rush hours, so make sure you are at the stop a bit earlier if possible.
“Opcional” buses are air-conditioned and more spacious, though slightly pricier than regular city buses.
If your flight arrives late at night, a taxi or private transfer might be your only option.

How to get from Recife airport to the city by private transfer

By far the most popular way to travel from the airport to your hotel in Recife city center or Old Town is to take a Recife Airport transfer. Private transfers are a great way to elevate your travel experience so that you can effortlessly slip into holiday mode as soon as you land.

When you book with a highly-rated company like Welcome Pickups some of the perks you can enjoy include:

  • Competitive fixed fare prices
  • An airport meet-and-greet
  • Trained English-speaking drivers
  • Flight monitoring
  • Guaranteed on-time pickups
  • Flexible cancellation

 

On top of that, your driver will take you on a mini tour of the city on the way to your hotel so that you can start soaking in the atmosphere and learning about the city from the get-go.

How much is a private transfer from Recife Airport to the city center?

Welcome offers a competitive fixed fare price from Recife Airport to the city, allowing you to plan and budget for your trip before you arrive at the airport. During the booking process, you’ll receive an upfront quote inclusive of all charges, so that there are no unwelcome surprises on the day.

Our stylish sedans cost €20 (BRL 123.50), with room for up to 3 passengers with a standard suitcase each. If you’re traveling in a larger group of up to 12 people, you’ll pay just €73 (BRL 450.80) for a transfer in one of our spacious minivans.

You can make a booking online or via the Welcome Pickups app. It takes just 60 seconds and all you need is a few personal details and your flight information.

Cost
€20
Trip Duration
20 Min.
*When booked in advance a vehicle will be waiting for you on arrival.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Private transfers are available 24/7 from Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport.

Where will my private transfer depart from?

Once you’ve passed through Immigration and collected any luggage, you’ll enter the Arrivals area where your friendly driver will be waiting for you. You won’t miss them as they’ll be holding a sign with your name on it, plus you will have been sent a photo of them the day before. After a warm introduction, your driver will assist you with your bags and show you to your pre-selected vehicle.

Convenience

While a private transfer may be more expensive than a taxi or public transport, it is still an affordable option, especially when considering the added benefits. This option is ideal if you require a few customizations, or if you’re simply after something a little more personal and want to reach your hotel as quickly as possible.

Useful Tips

The day before you travel you'll be emailed details of your driver, including their name, contact number, and a recent photo.
Since your booking will be finalized before you travel, you can simply turn up at the airport and be on your way, with no need to withdraw any cash.
If you have any special requests such as a baby booster seat or a minivan, you can make this at the time of booking either or through the app.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Recife Airport to downtown Recife?

There are four ways to travel from Recife Airport to downtown: taxi, private transfer, metro, or bus. The metro and bus are the most affordable options, with tickets costing no more than €0.70 (BRL 4.25) per person, and they are available from early morning until nearly midnight. However, a Recife Airport taxi or private transfer offers the most convenient, door-to-door transportation with no wait times.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Recife Airport to Recife Antigo?

How far is Recife Airport to the city center?

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Transfer Options in Recife