Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) stands on the summit of Corcovado mountain, about 700 metres above Rio de Janeiro, inside Tijuca National Park in south-east Brazil. You reach it by the Corcovado cog train from Cosme Velho, by the official vans from Copacabana or Largo do Machado, or on foot through the forest. The train runs daily from 8 am to 6 pm with departures every 20 minutes, and its ticket includes entry to the monument. Go early on a clear weekday for the best views and the shortest queues.
Where is Christ the Redeemer located?
The statue is in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on top of Corcovado (Morro do Corcovado), a granite peak that rises to about 704 metres. Corcovado sits inside Tijuca National Park, a large forested park within the city limits, between the city centre and the South Zone beaches. From the statue’s platform you look south over Copacabana, Ipanema and Lagoa, and east over Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay.
The statue and the surrounding mountains are part of the “Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea” UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2012, which covers Tijuca National Park, Corcovado, Sugarloaf and the bay.
- City: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Mountain: Corcovado, about 704 m high
- Park: Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca)
- Train station: Rua Cosme Velho 513, Cosme Velho
- Nearest airport: Rio de Janeiro Galeão International (GIG)
Christ the Redeemer opening hours
The Corcovado train, the main way up, operates Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm, with departures every 20 minutes. The railway asks passengers to arrive at least 40 minutes before their booked departure, and warns that hours can change without notice for technical or weather reasons. The official vans run on their own timetable, which is published on the Paineiras Corcovado ticket site.
The statue is lit after dark and is visible from much of the city, but you can only reach the platform during operating hours. Prices and hours change — check the official site before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Christ the Redeemer?
There is no separate “statue ticket” for most visitors: entry is bundled into your transport ticket. On the official Corcovado train website, a standard adult fare (return train plus monument entry) was listed at R$134 when we checked, with a reduced fare of R$107 for children aged 7 to 11 and people with disabilities. Children under 6 travel free with a guardian. Senior and student discounts are limited to Brazilian residents. Van tickets are sold separately on the Paineiras Corcovado site.
Prices and hours change — check the official site before you go, and buy online for a fixed departure time, especially on weekends and Brazilian holidays.
How to get to Christ the Redeemer
There are three practical ways up. Pick by time, budget and how much walking you want.
By Corcovado train from Cosme Velho
The Corcovado Railway (Trem do Corcovado) has operated since 1884 and is Brazil’s oldest tourist railway. It climbs through the Atlantic Forest of Tijuca National Park and stops just below the monument. The ticket includes the return trip and access to the statue. The station is at Rua Cosme Velho 513; most visitors arrive by taxi or ride-hailing from Copacabana or Ipanema. There is an elevator at the top and adapted toilets, and pushchairs must stay folded on board. There is no luggage storage, so leave large bags at your hotel.
By official van from Copacabana or Largo do Machado
The Paineiras Corcovado consortium runs the only authorised vans on the national park road to the statue. You can board at:
- Copacabana: Praça do Lido on Avenida Atlântica, about 10 minutes’ walk from Cardeal Arcoverde metro.
- Largo do Machado: in front of Nossa Senhora da Glória church, about 2 minutes from Largo do Machado metro.
- Paineiras Visitor Centre: on Estrada das Paineiras, if you arrive by taxi. There is no parking there.
The van ticket includes the round trip and monument entry. This is the easiest option if you are staying in Copacabana and do not want to cross town to Cosme Velho.
On foot from Parque Lage
A steep forest trail climbs from Parque Lage, in Jardim Botânico, to the top of Corcovado. It is a real hike with steep, rocky sections, not a casual walk. Start in the morning, carry water, and go with a licensed guide or a group rather than alone. Check trail conditions with Tijuca National Park before setting out, as paths can close after heavy rain.
Best time to visit Christ the Redeemer
The single biggest factor is cloud. Corcovado often sits inside low cloud, and on those days you will see little more than the statue’s feet. Check a webcam or the sky from your hotel before committing, and keep a flexible ticket or a spare day in your plan.
- Time of day: the first departures of the morning are usually the quietest. Late afternoon gives warmer light over the bay.
- Day of the week: weekdays are calmer than weekends and public holidays.
- Season: December to March is Rio’s hot, humid summer and the busiest period, including Carnival. The cooler months from about May to September are less hot and usually less crowded, though cloud can form in any season.
Allow two to three hours for the whole visit, including the ride, queues at the top and time on the platform.
Christ the Redeemer facts
- Height: the statue is 30 m tall, standing on an 8 m pedestal.
- Arm span: 28 m from fingertip to fingertip.
- Built: between 1922 and 1931; inaugurated on 12 October 1931.
- Designers: Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, with French sculptor Paul Landowski; the face was modelled by Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida.
- Materials: reinforced concrete covered in a mosaic of soapstone tiles.
- Status: chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
What can you see from the top of Corcovado?
On a clear day the platform gives a near-360-degree view over Rio. To the east is Sugarloaf Mountain and the mouth of Guanabara Bay; below are Botafogo and Flamengo; to the south are Copacabana, Ipanema and the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. To the north you can pick out the city centre and the Maracanã stadium. The platform gets crowded around the statue’s base, so step back towards the railings for wider photos.
Getting to Rio de Janeiro from the UAE
Emirates flies nonstop from Dubai (DXB) to Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG). Emirates lists the flight at about 15 hours outbound and 14 hours on the return; the number of weekly flights has changed over the years, so check the current schedule. From Abu Dhabi you will need a connection. Entry rules for Brazil depend on your passport, so check the latest rules with the Brazilian embassy or consulate before you travel.
Search fares on Ziarah flights, and book an airport transfer so you are not negotiating a taxi after a long flight.
Where to stay in Rio to visit Christ the Redeemer
Most visitors stay in the South Zone. Copacabana puts you next to a van boarding point; Ipanema and Leblon are quieter and close to good restaurants; Flamengo and Botafogo sit between the beaches and Cosme Velho station, which shortens the trip to the train. Compare options on our Rio de Janeiro hotels page.
Tips for your visit
- Wear comfortable shoes. Even with the train or van there are steps and slopes at the top.
- Carry a light rain jacket; weather on the summit changes fast.
- Keep valuables out of sight in crowds, as you would anywhere busy in a large city.
- Bring sunscreen and water. There is little shade on the platform.
- A wide-angle lens, or your phone’s 0.5x camera, helps fit the statue in from close up.
