Brasilia Airport (BSB) is about 12 km from the central Plano Piloto area where most hotels, government buildings, and tourist sites are located. Transfers are affordable and the distances are short.
Cost breakdown by destination
| Destination | Distance | Taxi on the meter | Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setor Hoteleiro Sul/Norte | ~12 km | ~R$ 50-62 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Asa Sul | ~13 km | ~R$ 53-66 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Asa Norte | ~16 km | ~R$ 64-80 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Lago Sul | ~15 km | ~R$ 60-76 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Taguatinga | ~25 km | ~R$ 96-122 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Rodoviaria (bus station) | ~11 km | ~R$ 46-58 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
BSB Brasilia City Center
From€68for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €91 per vehicle, about €23 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
The taxi column is worked from the official Federal District tariff (below), which is why it is the only ride-by-ride number here we can stand behind. Uber has no tariff — the app quotes you before you confirm, and that quote is the only reliable figure.
The cheapest option
Public bus to the Rodoviaria costs a standard Federal District city fare — a couple of reais, set by Semob-DF, so check the current price. The ride takes 30-45 minutes and drops you at the central bus station, which is well-connected to other parts of the city. However, with luggage it is uncomfortable — buses can be crowded during commuting hours.
Uber is the practical budget choice, and in Brasilia it is usually cheap enough that the convenience of a door-to-door ride is worth the gap over a bus fare. The app quotes the exact price before you confirm.
What affects the price
- Rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM weekdays): Uber surges. Taxis are metered so the rise is smaller and predictable, though the R$ 39.91 an hour waiting rate means slow traffic still costs you.
- Rain: Brasilia's rainy season (October-March) brings sudden downpours that spike Uber demand dramatically — surge in a storm can multiply the fare. The metered rank is immune to it.
- Destination distance: The Plano Piloto is compact, but satellite cities like Taguatinga or Ceilandia are much farther and more expensive.
Taxi meter rates
Brasilia taxis are metered on the tariff set for the whole Federal District by Decreto nº 46.615 of 6 December 2024 (Semob-DF):
| Element | Rate |
|---|---|
| Bandeirada (flag drop) | R$ 6.59 |
| Bandeira 1, per km | R$ 3.59 |
| Bandeira 2, per km | R$ 4.61 |
| Stopped / waiting, per hour | R$ 39.91 (charged when the car drops below 10 km/h) |
The meter shows which bandeira is running — ask if you are not sure. Work the airport's 12 km through it and a run to the Hotel Sector comes to roughly R$ 50 on bandeira 1, or about R$ 62 on bandeira 2, before any time stuck in traffic. Taxis do not negotiate — the meter determines the fare, and the tariff is revised by decree, so treat any printed figure as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Brazilian taxis or Uber. Rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 BRL is a kind gesture but not obligatory.
Bottom line
Brasilia is one of the cheapest major-city airport transfers in South America. A metered taxi to the hotel sector is around R$ 50-62 on the official tariff, Uber is normally cheaper still, and even a private transfer rarely exceeds 50 EUR. The short distance and good roads keep prices low.
When a private transfer from BSB is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Brasilia City Center is from €91, about €23 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
BSB → Brasilia City Center from €68Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.