Rio Metro runs 24 hours during Carnival Monday and Tuesday

Rio’s subway system will operate non-stop on Feb 16 and 17 to serve revelers heading to street parties at Aterro and Downtown, plus parades at Sambadrome.

This Monday (Feb 16) and Tuesday (Feb 17) of Carnival, MetrôRio maintains a special 24-hour operation schedule to serve partygoers enjoying the city’s main street parties. Highlights include Sargento Pimenta, Carrossel de Emoções, Quizomba and Orquestra Voadora at Aterro do Flamengo, plus Fervo da Lud Downtown.

The system will also serve audiences attending the Special Group schools’ performances at Marquês de Sapucaí, at the Sambadrome.

Line operations

Until Ash Wednesday (Feb 18), Line 2 will operate between Pavuna and General Osório. Lines 1 and 4 will follow the Uruguai-Jardim Oceânico/Barra da Tijuca route. Transfers between lines 1 and 2 can be made on the stretch between Central do Brasil/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema stations.

The special operation includes reinforced trains and security teams at stations. Two external structures were set up in the busiest areas: Carioca/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema. The spaces feature ticket offices and queue organizers to facilitate boarding.

Sambadrome and special stations

For Sambadrome parades, those with tickets for the odd-numbered side sectors or parading with schools concentrating near the “Balança Mas Não Cai” building should disembark at Central do Brasil/Centro station. Praça Onze station is closest for customers with even-numbered sector tickets.

The operator recommends customers use contactless payment methods or purchase and recharge their cards in advance to avoid lines.

Downtown and South Zone operations

Due to expected heavy crowds, Uruguaiana/Centro, Carioca/Centro and Cinelândia/Centro stations will have special operations with containment structures.

Carioca/Centro station, recommended for mega street parties, will have boarding only via Largo da Carioca. Exit to the South Zone will be through access C (Convento) and to the North Zone through access A (Rio Branco).

Cinelândia/Centro station will operate from 6am to 8pm. Boarding is available at accesses A (Theatro Municipal) and E (Presidente Wilson), only with pre-purchased cards. Exit will be through accesses C (Pedro Lessa) and D (Odeon).

At Uruguaiana/Centro station, only access D (Presidente Vargas) will be open for boarding. Exit will be through access A (Uruguaiana).

Saara/Presidente Vargas station will not operate on Feb 16 and 17.

Catete station will operate during Carnival. Boarding will be through access B (Palácio), only for those with pre-purchased cards. Exit will be through access A (Catete).

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

Service

MetrôRio operations during Carnival 2026

Metro – Lines 1, 2 and 4

From Monday (Feb 16) until Ash Wednesday (Feb 18): 24-hour operation, non-stop, until midnight on Ash Wednesday (Feb 18)

Champions Parade: non-stop service, from 5am Saturday (Feb 21) until 11pm Sunday (Feb 22)

Recommended stations for Sambadrome access

Even-numbered sectors: Praça Onze

Odd-numbered sectors: Central do Brasil/Centro

Transfer between lines 1 and 2: on shared stretch between Central do Brasil/Centro and General Osório/Ipanema stations

Photo: Press Release