Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro Tickets and Tours

Since its inauguration in 1931, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Hill has become the universal image of Rio de Janeiro and is the most visited attraction in the city and in Brazil, attracting millions of tourists every year. Joining an organised tour of Christ the Redeemer is one of the best ways to experience this wonder of the modern world and certainly one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

Visiting Christ the Redeemer is the main goal of most tourists who come to Rio de Janeiro and doing it on an organised tour is the most complete alternative to make the most of a unique experience.

One of the main advantages of opting for an organised tour is that you will avoid the long and exhausting queues that often form, as well as booking tickets in advance, as these can sell out quickly because the number of visitors per day is limited.

What does an organised tour include?

During an organised tour you can avoid stress, as you don't have to worry about organisation and transport, as you will be driven to the base of the monument in a minivan. You will also be accompanied by an experienced guide who will provide you with historical and cultural information about Christ the Redeemer in particular and about Rio de Janeiro in general.

This way, you will only have to worry about getting to know every detail of this architectural masterpiece and concentrate on enjoying the panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, from the Sugarloaf Rock to the Guanabara Bay.

What other sites can I see on these organised tours?

Christ the Redeemer organised tours usually also include other popular sights in Rio de Janeiro:

• Sugarloaf Rock.
• Paineiras Visitor Centre.
• Corcovado.
• Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai.
• Cable car to Urca Hill and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

If you prefer not to take an organised tour and decide to visit Christ the Redeemer on your own, you can also do so, although you should bear in mind that there are several issues you will need to resolve in advance in order to optimise your experience and avoid any setbacks or bad experiences that may alter your itinerary.

If you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, you will find a large influx of tourists and this will make every step of the tour difficult, from transportation to the purchase of tickets.

Beyond that, it is very important to take into account all the alternatives to make the best possible decision according to your budget and the means of transport chosen to get to the monument.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer by train

Buying tickets for the Christ the Redeemer cog railway is the most scenic option, not only because it will allow you to travel on a cog railway, but also because you will get some of the best views of the surroundings along the way.

Keep in mind that the train has limited space, so I advise you to buy your ticket in advance and check out the alternatives to get from your accommodation to the Cosme Velho neighbourhood, which is where the station is located.

The trip from there to Christ the Redeemer takes about 20 minutes and is one of the best ways to get there early to get some of the best pictures of the monument.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer by van

The vans leave from different points in the city and the price of this service from Copacabana is approximately 18 euros per person.

The downside of this alternative is that at peak times they are crowded near the monument and you could be delayed getting in, which will waste time, although it is the best alternative if you are travelling with children or the elderly.

Climbing Christ the Redeemer on foot

If you are a fan of adventure tours and you think that your thing is not only to enjoy the best museums in the city but also to live an authentic experience, you can choose to climb Christ the Redeemer on foot. This alternative is the most popular among backpackers because it is the cheapest and because it involves a 2-hour trek that will allow you to get to know the landscape of the Henrique Lage Park.

The route of this option will take you along winding paths up to the 710 metres above sea level of the monument. Please note that to make use of this alternative you must register at the entrance with your personal details and that, given the difficulty, it is recommended that you do the circuit in company. It is also a very weather-sensitive option, as rainy or very hot days can make the journey difficult.

Details of interest of Christ the Redeemer

• Entrance fee: approximately 5 euros per person.
• How to get there: you can get there by private transport, on foot or on the Corcovado train.
• Opening hours: daily from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Christ the Redeemer is not only Rio de Janeiro's main attraction and one of the new seven wonders of the modern world, it is also one of the most visited monuments on the planet, so you can't say you know the city until you've climbed to the top of Corcovado Hill to discover this marvel of 20th century architecture.

And from 710 metres above sea level, Christ the Redeemer offers some of the best views of Rio de Janeiro, from Guanabara Bay to the city's most famous favelas.

If you are religious you can also consider Christ the Redeemer as a pilgrimage site, a facet you can discover especially if you plan to visit Rio de Janeiro during Christmas or liturgical dates.

Christ the Redeemer is one of the most beautiful attractions in Rio de Janeiro, but it is also one of the most visited, so if you plan to travel to Rio de Janeiro in December or during the summer months, I advise you to book your organised Christ the Redeemer tour in advance to ensure your place in the experience.

If you opt for the tour on your own, I advise you to purchase tickets for the rack railway and Christ the Redeemer itself prior to your arrival in the city.

If you want to get some of the best photos of your trip and avoid the crowds, the best alternative is to visit the monument in the morning, as close to 8am as possible. Remember that if you don't buy tickets in advance you will have to queue at the base of the monument, which I do not recommend at all.

Details of interest of Christ the Redeemer

• Where to eat: The base of the monument, near the Visitor Centre, has a bar with a variety of local and international food and drink options.
• What to pack: clothes for shelter from the sun, sunscreen and water for hydration, especially during the summer.
• Where to take pictures: The best way to get a full panoramic view of Christ the Redeemer is to capture it from the stairs surrounding the monument, which will allow you to frame yourself in the shot along with the structure.

Christ the Redeemer is one of the most beautiful monuments in Brazil, the most visited site in Rio de Janeiro and one of the world's landmarks of high-rise architecture, but the city has many other attractions to offer, which you can see during your trip or even combine a visit to Corcovado Hill with other activities in a package tour.

Sugarloaf Mountain

This rock formation, which stands 396 metres above sea level and consists of a granite mountain rising from Guanabara Bay, is one of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic landmarks. Its name, Sugarloaf, comes from its resemblance to the old sugar moulds used in colonial times.

Buying your tickets for the Sugarloaf cable car will give you panoramic views of the city, from the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to Christ the Redeemer.

In addition to the view, at the base of Sugarloaf you will find hiking trails, souvenir shops and restaurants that will allow you to discover all the secrets of Brazilian gastronomy.

Rocinha Favela

Rocinha is one of the largest and best known informal settlements in the world. In its steep and narrow streets lie the culture, history and contrasts of Brazil and it is one of the most densely populated emergency neighbourhoods.

To discover Rocinha safely, many tourist agencies offer guided tours. Hiring a tour of Rio de Janeiro's favelas will allow you to get to know the reality of these places first hand, because most of the expert guides are residents of these settlements.

Selarón Staircase

This colourful staircase connects the neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa and consists of more than 200 steps lined with ceramic tiles from around the world. Each step is unique, with tiles representing the cultural and geographical diversity of the people who visit and contribute to this ever-evolving work.

Book a tour of the Selarón Staircase to make sure you don't miss a single detail, as the staircase is decorated with pieces of art and sculptures that Selarón incorporated over the years.

Maracana Stadium

If you're a football fan, exploring the Maracana Stadium, one of the cathedrals of football, will allow you not only to enter the museum exhibition, which contains trophies, jerseys, memorabilia and a video room, but also to step onto the field of play.

From the Maracanazo to the rivalry between Flamengo and Fluminense and from Zico and Pelé to Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, at the Maracanã you can explore the footballing past in one of the most representative sporting venues in history.