Trancoso was once difficult to access but today modern transportation makes it easy. Mule-caravans and "jangadas" have been replaced by new airports and roads so that cars, buses, planes or even helicopters can conveniently come and go.

A paved road opened up in the year 2000 and you can get here from any major Brazilian city on comfortable buses or by plane. There are a few international flights to Porto Seguro. At the last update (July 2005) there were flights from Portugal, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.

Most maior European airlines and the brazilian carriers have flights to and from Brazil, the normal gateways being Rio de Janeiro, Salvador or São Paulo. From there you fly either directly to Porto Seguro or via Salvador.

From the United States several northamerican and brazilian airlines fly to São Paulo and Rio, usually via Houston, Newark or Miami. A direct flight from Miami to Salvador is expected to open up soon.

Flights: To and from the International Airport in Porto Seguro: Daily domestic flights are operated by TAM, Varig/Nordeste, VASP and the discount-airline Gol.

     Porto Seguro: To get to Trancoso from Porto Seguro you travel by bus, car or taxi. The trip takes about one hour and the distances vary by route 24 km to 77 km.. Avoid the ferryboats in Porto Seguro at night or in the high season, as you may wait a long time for the next departure. You'd be better off choosing the longer route - going some 25 km inland from Porto Seguro and then turning south for Trancoso.
   Buses:
To and from the bus station (Rodoviária) in Porto Seguro. Tickets can be bought at the busstations or through travelagents. Brazilian buses are execelent, if you choose the executivo/semileito or leito class with licensed companys. Avoid good offers and very cheap tickets - usually for unlicensed buses.
   Salvador:
Buses are run daily by the company Águia Branca and leave from the main Salvador busterminal (reached by taxi). The buses are very comfortable and quite convenient, leaving in the evening and arriving in the morning, both ways. Águia Branca phone in Salvador (71) 450 4400, phone in Porto Seguro (73) 288 1039.
   Rio:
Buses are run by the company São Geraldo and leave from the main busteminal late afternoon/early evening arriving in Porto Seguro around midday. In Rio take a taxi to the busterminal, which is a bit out of the way.
   São Paulo:
Buses are run by the company São Geraldo, leaves around midday and arriving around midday. By metro/subway you can get to the main São Paulo busterminal. Otherwise take a taxi. Tickets can be bought at the busstation or through travelagents.
   Vitória:
Buses are run by the company Aguia Branca.
   Belo Horizonte/Ouro Preto:
Buses are run by the company São Geraldo.
   Brasilia:
Buses are run by the company São Geraldo.
   Ilheus (Itacaré):
For 3-4 people you may find a taxi more convenient. There are no direct buses, but the company Aguia Branca operates a busline Porto Seguro - Itabuna, close to Ilheus.
   Valença (Morro de São Paulo):
There are no direct buses. You have to change in Itabuna.
   Cumuruxitiba, Prado and Caravelas (Abrolhos Marine Park):
There are no direct buses and as you have to change buses 3-4 times it may take you a full day to get there. A better option is to rent a car, go there and come back.
   Rental cars:
For getting around the Trancoso-area you may find a rental-car very convenient. You can rent cars, beach-buggies, small motorbikes or bicycles. In peak-season it is wise to make a reservation. Driving rental cars from one city to another without bringing it back to the starting point is expensive and is possible with only a few of the larger companies.
   If you have any questions about Brazilian travel or which routes to choose please contact any of the Trancoso Charme Pousadas and we'll be happy to help.