Christ the Redeemer in a nutshell
Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) stands on Corcovado in Tijuca National Park, in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is 30 m tall and 38 m with its base. It was inaugurated on 12 October 1931, and the engineer was Heitor da Silva Costa. At the foot of the monument is the chapel Nossa Senhora Aparecida. Religious services take place there, so visitors should behave as they would in any place of worship.
The park names four ways to get there: the Corcovado cog train, the official vans run by the Paineiras operator, authorized local guides, and hiking trails. This site explains each one, what it costs and where it starts. It is an independent guide. It is not run by the sanctuary, the archdiocese, the national park, the train operator, Riotur or any tour company. Prices are in Brazilian real (BRL), as published in 2026, and they change.
What this guide covers
The first part is about the visit itself: tickets and prices, the Corcovado train, the routes by van, taxi and on foot, and the hike from Parque Lage. Then come the history, the facts about the statue and the mountain itself. The rest is Rio around the statue: the forest, a park with an art school, the old tram district, the beaches, safety, weather and where to stay. Sugarloaf Mountain is only mentioned briefly here.
One rule applies to every plan. The view depends on the weather. Clouds can cover the statue at any time of year, and neither a ticket nor an early departure guarantees a clear view.
Our picks: Christ the Redeemer tours
The train with entry included, a van from Copacabana, and a full day with Selarón and Tijuca.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Christ, Selarón Steps and Tijuca Park tour
A ticket for the statue, transport and a guide are included. Lunch is not.
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Corcovado train with Christ the Redeemer entry
The official Corcovado train ticket and entry to the statue are included, plus the viewpoints. Food, drinks and hotel transfer are not.
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Christ the Redeemer ticket with van from Copacabana
Entry to the statue and the return van from Copacabana are included, with a stop at the visitor centre. There is no personal guide; food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →Christ the Redeemer tours and Rio day trips
Guided trips that include the statue, with live prices and availability. Check what each tour includes before you book.
Plan the visit
Tickets, ways up and the trail.
Christ the Redeemer tickets
Train, van and walk-in prices with the date they were published.
The Corcovado train
Hours, tickets and how the ride works.
How to get to the statue
Train, vans from four departure points, taxi to Paineiras and the trail.
Tours compared
Half-day and full-day trips, local guides and what to check.
The hike from Parque Lage
Opening times, effort and practical safety.
Corcovado
The mountain, the view and why clouds matter.
History of the statue
Design, building from 1922 to 1931 and later repairs.
Facts and figures
Height, material and the numbers that differ between sources.
Rio around the statue
Nature, neighborhoods and practical pages.
Tijuca Forest
Trails, viewpoints, a waterfall and park rules.
Parque Lage
Gardens, the closed palace and the start of the trail.
Things to do in Rio
Fifteen ideas beyond the statue.
Santa Teresa
The tram, the tiled steps and the art district.
Copacabana and Ipanema
Two beaches compared, with swimming and flag rules.
Is Rio safe?
Practical rules and current travel advice.
Weather and best time
Monthly climate figures and Carnival 2027.
Where to stay
Which area suits which plan, without hotel names.
Good to know in autumn 2026
Where older guides are out of date.
The escalators are out of service
Since 3 August 2026 the escalators at the monument are being replaced. The park says only half as many visitors are allowed at the same time, and the work is planned to end in late May 2027. This applies whichever way you come, including on foot. Three lifts between the first and second level still run. Above that there are 80 stone steps.
Tickets and capacity →A new van stop in the city
Since 23 September 2026 the vans also leave from the Catedral Metropolitana, in addition to Largo do Machado, Praça do Lido in Copacabana and the Paineiras visitor center.
All departure points →One train price all year
The train operator publishes a single adult price of BRL 134 and no separate high and low season table. Other operators may price differently, so check each one.
The train →Hikers pay for the top
The trails are free, but entry to the monument is not. Walkers buy a separate ticket at the top. The Parque Lage palace is closed for restoration, while the garden is open.
The hike →The four ways up compared
Prices in BRL for adults, as published in 2026.
| Way up | Starts at | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cog train | Cosme Velho | BRL 134 | Return trip and monument entry included |
| Official van | Paineiras, Largo do Machado, Praça do Lido, Catedral | BRL 87 to 132 | Return to the same point, monument entry included |
| Guided trip | Varies by tour | Varies | Check what is included |
| On foot | Parque Lage | BRL 58 to 60 at the top | Steep, up to 4 hours uphill |
Christ the Redeemer: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Christ the Redeemer?
By cog train from Cosme Velho, by official van from the Paineiras visitor center or from three city departure points, with a guide, or on foot on the trails. Taxi or a ride app takes you to Paineiras, and the vans go on from there. The getting there page has the details.
How much is a ticket in 2026?
The train costs BRL 134 for adults, with the return trip and monument entry included. Official vans cost BRL 87 at Paineiras and BRL 132 from Largo do Machado and Praça do Lido. See the tickets page for children and reduced fares.
Can I go up in the escalators?
No. They have been out of service since 3 August 2026. Three lifts connect the first and second levels, and 80 stone steps lead up from there. The park also halved the number of visitors allowed at once, so book ahead.
Will I see the city or only clouds?
Nobody can promise a clear view. Weather changes quickly on Corcovado, and a ticket does not guarantee a clear view. The operator suggests the afternoon from 14:00 for fewer visitors, which is not the same as better visibility.
Is this the official website of the statue?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the sanctuary, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, the national park, the train or van operators, Riotur or any tour company.
Is Rio safe for visitors?
Violent crime is high, and robberies happen in tourist districts too. Read the safety page before you go, and hike in a group during the day.