How to pay for public transport in Sao Paulo

• Sao Paulo has a vast public transport network made up of buses, metro, suburban rail, and a rapid transit system. Payment of fare is usually by means of smart cards, credit cards, or cash.

Payment by Transport Smart Cards

• There are 3 transport smart cards you can use in Sao Paulo

1. Bilhete único (Unified ticket)
2. BLA card
3. Fidelity card

How to use Bilhete Único smart card.

• Bilhete Unico is the Sao Paulo version of the Oyster card or Metro card. You can use the card to pay for the metro, CPTM trains, and municipal buses.
• Where to buy a Bilhete único card: Metro stations, Lottery shops, or online. You have to understand Portuguese and have a CPF number for you but the card online.
• CPF numbers aren't available for non-residents.
• You can either recharge your card online or at metro stations.
• The best place to buy and recharge your bilhete Unico for non- Portuguese speakers is at the ticket vending machines at the metro stations. They operate using both English and Portuguese.
• Bilhete Unico cards are especially useful if you have to catch several bus or metro-rail rides.
• For instance, Bilhete Unico cardholders pay R$ 3.80 for 4 consecutive bus rides in a 3 hour period rather than R$ 4 for each ride.
• Each metro and train ride costs R$4.
• You can also buy a R$ 6 ticket that gives you 3 bus rides and a metro or train ride within 3 hours.

BLA cards and Fidelity cards

• Bla cards are only used on the metro or CPTM trains for discounted rides.
• Bla cards can only be used on these specific days:

1. On Saturdays after 6.00 pm
2. Sunday's
3. Sao Paulo state holidays
4. National holidays

• Each Bla card allows for 10 metro or train rides for R$ 2.5.
• Bla cards are purchased at the ticket vending machines at metro stations.
• Fidelity cards also offer discounts on metro and train rides. Fidelity cards are bought and recharged as part of bilhete unicos.

Paying for public transport using credit cards

• Credit cards and debit cards are quickly becoming a common way of paying bus fare in Sao Paulo. Currently, the only cards accepted are Mastercard, Visa, and Elo cards.
• You can also pay bus fares using your mobile phone. Most locals don't use pay fares using their mobile phones, I don't recommend it either. Pickpocketing at bus stations is very common.

Paying Fare In Cash

• Paying fare in cash is quickly being phased out in Sao Paulo. Only a few buses are still accepting cash, it's still a good idea to have loose change.