CNF Airport gives you three door-to-door options: official taxis, ride-hailing apps (99 and Uber), and pre-booked transfers. The Conexao Aeroporto bus is a fourth option but does not go door-to-door. Here is how they compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Official Taxi | 99 / Uber | Private Transfer | |--------|--------------|-----------|------------------| | Price to Savassi | BRL 170–230 / EUR 28–38 | BRL 120–200 / EUR 20–33 | BRL 180–250 / EUR 30–42 | | Booking | Walk-up at rank | App request | Pre-booked online | | Price certainty | Metered (varies with traffic) | Estimate (surge possible) | Fixed at booking | | Vehicle quality | Standard sedans | Mixed | Newer vehicles | | Driver meets you | You go to taxi rank | You go to pickup zone | Driver meets you inside | | Flight tracking | No | No | Yes | | Child seats | Not available | Not available | Available on request | | Late night | Available, fewer cars | Available, surge pricing | Same price | | Payment | Cash, some cards | In-app (card/cash) | Card or cash |
When ride-hailing wins
During daytime hours with moderate traffic, 99 or Uber is usually the cheapest door-to-door option. The 40 km distance means savings of BRL 40–80 (EUR 7–13) compared to a taxi. The pickup process at CNF is well-organized — there is a designated area ("Area de Embarque Aplicativos") outside arrivals.
The catch: you need a working phone with data. Without a Brazilian SIM or functioning international roaming, you cannot use the apps. Airport Wi-Fi can work as a fallback, but it is inconsistent.
When the taxi works
If you do not have a phone or data, the taxi rank is your simplest option. Walk outside, join the queue, get in a metered car. No app needed, no negotiation. The meter runs based on distance and time, so the final price depends on traffic.
Taxis are straightforward but consistently the most expensive per-kilometer option.
When a transfer is worth it
The 40 km distance from CNF to Belo Horizonte is long enough that comfort and certainty matter. A pre-booked transfer makes sense if:
- You arrive late at night when ride-hailing drivers are scarce
- You travel with children and need a car seat
- You have heavy or oversized luggage
- You are heading to destinations beyond BH like Ouro Preto, Inhotim, or Tiradentes
- You want the driver to meet you inside the terminal with your name
The Conexao Aeroporto bus option
Do not overlook the bus. At BRL 37 (EUR 6.20), the Conexao Aeroporto is comfortable, air-conditioned, and has Wi-Fi. It stops at Savassi, Praca Sete, and the Rodoviaria. If your hotel is near one of these stops and you travel light, the bus saves you BRL 100–200 over any car option.
The bottom line
For budget: bus first, then 99/Uber. For convenience: 99/Uber if you have a phone, taxi if you do not. For reliability and comfort: pre-booked transfer, especially at night or with family.