MetrôRio runs 24 hours during Carnival 2026: check schedules

MetrôRio will operate 139 hours non-stop between February 13 and 18 to serve revelers at street parties and samba school parades at Sapucaí

MetrôRio will have a special operating schedule during Carnival 2026 to serve Rio residents and tourists heading to street parties and samba school parades at Sapucaí. The metro service will operate 24 hours a day, starting at 5 AM on Friday (February 13) until midnight on Ash Wednesday (February 18), totaling 139 uninterrupted hours of operation.

The metro will also run non-stop during the Champions Parade weekend: from 5 AM on Saturday (February 21) until 11 PM on Sunday (February 22), another 42 hours without interruption.

How the lines will operate

On Friday (February 13), Line 2 will operate between Pavuna and Botafogo, and lines 1 and 4 will follow the Uruguai-Jardim Oceânico/Barra da Tijuca route. Transfers between lines 1 and 2 can be made in the section between Central do Brasil/Centro and Botafogo stations.

From Saturday (February 14) until Ash Wednesday (February 18), Line 2 will run between Pavuna and General Osório/Ipanema. Transfers between lines 1 and 2 can be made in the section between Central do Brasil/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema stations.

Reinforced teams and special structures

To handle the large number of passengers during the festivities, there will be additional trains and reinforced security and customer service teams at the stations. Additionally, two external structures have been set up in the busiest areas: Carioca/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema. These spaces feature ticket offices and queue organizers to facilitate passenger boarding.

Revelers should pay attention to station layouts with information about special operating hours and boarding and disembarking times for each station.

Stations for Sapucaí access

For those heading to the Sambadrome or Terreirão do Samba, the metro is the best option, with Central do Brasil/Centro and Praça Onze stations open 24 hours.

Those with tickets for the odd-numbered sectors of Sapucaí or parading in schools gathering near the “Balança Mas Não Cai” building or heading to Terreirão do Samba should disembark at Central do Brasil/Centro station. Praça Onze station is closest for passengers with tickets for even-numbered sectors or parading in schools gathering near the Post Office building.

Attendees heading to street parties at Aterro do Flamengo should board and disembark at Glória station, which will have a special structure, flow control equipment, exclusive communication, and reinforced staff.

Special operations at Centro and Zona Sul stations

Due to the large crowds expected at street parties and mega-block parades, Uruguaiana/Centro, Carioca/Centro, and Cinelândia/Centro stations will have special operations and containment structures to direct the public.

Carioca/Centro station, recommended for mega-block access, will have boarding only through Largo da Carioca, where there will be a special external ticket office. Disembarking for passengers heading to the South Zone will be through access C (Convento); and for those heading to the North Zone, through access A (Rio Branco).

Cinelândia/Centro station will have different operating hours, from 6 AM to 8 PM. Boarding can be done through accesses A (Theatro Municipal) and E (Presidente Wilson), and only those with pre-purchased cards can board. Disembarking will be through accesses C (Pedro Lessa) and D (Odeon) throughout the operation. Accesses B (Rio Branco) and F (Santa Luzia) will remain closed during Carnival.

At Uruguaiana/Centro station, only access D (Presidente Vargas) will be open for boarding, and exit will be through access A (Uruguaiana) during the festivities.

Saara/Presidente Vargas station will not operate between February 14 and 17 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of Carnival).

Catete station will operate during Carnival, but boarding will be through access B (Palácio), only for those with pre-purchased cards or contactless payment. Disembarking will be through access A (Catete). Access C (Silveira Martins) will be closed during Carnival.

For street parties in Ipanema, General Osório/Ipanema station is the best option for boarding and disembarking and will also have a special external ticket office at access A (Praça General Osório).

Important tips

The Free Pass Office at Central do Brasil/Centro station will not be open between February 13 and 18. The office will resume operations on Thursday (February 19).

The concessionaire advises passengers to use contactless payment methods or purchase and reload their cards in advance to avoid lines. Another important tip is to use the MetrôRio app, available for Android and iOS, to plan routes and track metro operations in real time. Passengers can access the “Plan your trip” tool on the concessionaire’s website at https://www.metrorio.com.br/.

Service

MetrôRio operating schedule during Carnival 2026

Metro – Lines 1, 2, and 4

From Friday (02/13) to Ash Wednesday (02/18): 24-hour operation, non-stop, starting at 5 AM on Friday (02/13) until midnight on Ash Wednesday (02/18)

Champions Parade: non-stop service, from 5 AM on Saturday (02/21) until 11 PM on Sunday (02/22)

Recommended stations for Sapucaí access

Even sectors: Praça Onze

Odd sectors: Central do Brasil/Centro

Transfer between lines 1 and 2

Friday (02/13): in the shared section between Central do Brasil/Centro and Botafogo stations

From Saturday to Ash Wednesday (02/14 to 02/18): in the shared section between Central do Brasil/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema stations

Photos: Press Release / Thiago Freitas