Sapucaí Guide: Everything you need to know

The journey to the Sambadrome is also part of the Carnival fun, and you can get there in various ways, but taxis from authorized companies and the subway are the most recommended.

If you prefer to go by taxi, inform the driver your sector number, and they will take you to the correct entrance. When returning, taxis remain parked between sectors 8 and 10 on the even side and sectors 9 and 1 on the odd side.

On Carnival parade days, trains depart every ten minutes, with the service running all night long, operating 24 hours.

If you are going to the even-numbered sectors, disembark at Praça Onze station. You should exit through Access B – Marquês de Sapucaí and proceed straight ahead to sector 2.

For the odd-numbered sectors, Central station is the arrival point. From there, you walk approximately 700 meters to the Sambadrome, passing by the schools’ floats, through Terreirão do Samba, and already feeling the excitement of Carnival pulsating very close by.

Line 2 will operate between Pavuna and General Osório/Ipanema, and lines 1 and 4 will follow the route from Uruguai to Jardim Oceânico/Barra da Tijuca. The transfer between lines 1 and 2 can be made in the section between Central do Brasil/Downtown and General Osório/Ipanema.

The subway surface bus lines (Antero de Quental – Gávea and Botafogo – Gávea) will operate from 5 AM to 11:30 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Monday (02/09, 02/10, and 02/12). On Sunday and Tuesday (02/11 and 02/13), the operation will be from 7 AM to 10:30 PM.

The Saara/Presidente Vargas station will not open during the carnival days, with Central and Uruguaiana being the closest options. The same applies to the Catete station, with Glória and Largo do Machado as nearby alternatives.
On the day of the Champions’ Parade (02/17), the subway will resume its overnight operation until 11 PM on Sunday (02/18).

The Sambadrome establishes some rules so that everyone can enjoy the parades and the excitement of Carnival safely. Check out what you can and cannot bring to Sapucaí:

In the Sambadrome, each sector is a gateway to a different and unique experience of the samba school parades. With a variety of locations and services, there are options for all tastes and budgets.

Want to know a little more about the sectors for Carnival 2024? Check out the features of each one.

With an incredible view of the parade and accessible places, tickets in these sectors are free seating choice and are not numbered. Therefore, it’s ideal to arrive early to find the perfect spot for you. The area near sector 8 is especially privileged: considered one of the best in the Sambadrome, it is where many judges are located.

Tickets for this sector are numbered, so you can secure a marked spot in the stands with one of the best views of the runway. With guides who speak other languages, lots of space, and the drum section retreat next door, sector 9 is where the energy of Carnival intensifies.

Among Cariocas, this sector is cherished for its privileged view and affordable tickets. If you want to watch the samba schools form from start to finish and from above, this is your place.

In sector 11, the heartbeat of samba gets closer than ever. With tickets ideal for large groups and close to the drum section retreat, you have an incredible view of the parade as the schools proceed to the end of the runway.

Organized in an open-air theater facing the parade, sector 12 is located at the end of the runway. With numbered tickets and affordable price, it offers a great cost-benefit ratio.

To ensure that everyone can enjoy Carnival 2024 peacefully and safely, the Sambadrome has accessible areas in sectors 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 with elevators for wheelchair users.

To find out the day and order in which your favorite school will parade, check out the complete schedule of the samba schools’ parades for Carnival 2024 below:

1. União do Parque Acari
2. Império da Tijuca
3. Acadêmicos de Vigário Geral
4. Inocentes de Belford Roxo
5. Estácio de Sá
6. União de Maricá
7. Acadêmicos de Niterói
8. Unidos da Ponte

1. Sereno de Campo Grande
2. Em Cima da Hora
3. Arranco
4. União da Ilha do Governador
5. Unidos de Padre Miguel
6.  São Clemente
7. Unidos de Bangu
8. Império Serrano

1. Unidos do Porto da Pedra
2. Beija-Flor de Nilópolis
3. Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
4. Acadêmicos do Grande Rio
5. Unidos da Tijuca
6. Imperatriz Leopoldinense

1. Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
2. Portela
3. Unidos de Vila Isabel
4. Estação Primeira de Mangueira
5. Paraíso do Tuiuti
6. Unidos do Viradouro

Visit the official Rio Carnival website and buy your ticket!