South America > Brazil > Curitiba (CWB)
The Car or no Car advice for Curitiba can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Curitiba ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Curitiba ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Curitiba?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚌 The legendary BRT system
Curitiba’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is globally renowned. It introduced high-capacity buses, tube stations, dedicated lanes, and timed transfers long before most cities. Consequently, moving around the city is fast, cheap, and reliable. Buses run at high frequencies and reach almost every district, so visitors rarely feel the need for a private vehicle.
Although Curitiba does not have a full metro, it has integrated bus corridors that perform much the same function. Because of this, public transport feels closer to a metro system than a traditional bus network.
🌳 Parks, gardens, and green spaces
Curitiba is exceptionally leafy. Its Botanical Garden, with its iconic glasshouse, is one of Brazil’s most photographed attractions. Meanwhile, Tingui Park, Barigui Park, and Tangua Park form a chain of green areas linked by walking and cycling paths. These places are simple to reach by BRT or taxi, and they reinforce the city’s eco-friendly identity.
The city also hosts innovative recycling schemes, pedestrian streets, and a thriving cultural scene. Therefore, you can enjoy many days here without ever stepping into a car.
🚞 Day trips without driving
Several classic excursions can be done entirely by train or bus:
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The Serra Verde Express
This scenic railway runs from Curitiba through the Atlantic rainforest to Morretes and Paranaguá. It is one of South America’s great train journeys and makes car travel unnecessary for this route. -
Morretes by bus
If you take the train one way, you can return by road using frequent buses. The roads are stunning but winding, so letting someone else drive can be more relaxing. -
Antonina
A charming colonial port town reachable by bus from Morretes.
These trips show that Curitiba is unusually well suited to car-free tourism.
🚗 When a car actually becomes useful
Although the city and its nearby attractions are easy without a vehicle, a rental car helps if you plan to explore further afield in Paraná:
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Ilha do Mel (Honey Island)
You cannot take cars onto the island, yet you need a car or longer bus journey to reach the ferry terminals at Pontal do Sul or Paranaguá. -
Vila Velha State Park
Home to sandstone formations and accessible by car from Ponta Grossa. Public transport here is slow and limited. -
Canyon Guartelá
One of Brazil’s largest canyons, and very difficult to reach without a vehicle. -
The rural wine routes
Small wineries and countryside restaurants often require private transport.
So although Curitiba itself discourages driving, the state opens up once you have a car.
🧭 Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Curitiba?
For the city itself, the answer is usually no, because the BRT network and compact layout make sightseeing easy. However, if you want to explore Paraná’s natural parks, canyons, or islands, a rental car becomes extremely helpful and sometimes essential.
