Christ the Redeemer statue: tickets and best hours to visit in 2026

Christ the Redeemer has stood on top of Corcovado for more than 90 years. Every year, over 1.5 million people make the climb to see it (As of 09/2026, official Trem do Corcovado website). From a distance, the white figure looks small, but on the platform next to it you feel tiny.

You can get to the top by train, by official van, or on foot along the trail from Parque Lage. The line for the train grows by the hour. Book a time slot in advance: during the day, the available slots sell out first.

Below: prices for all ticket categories, the history of the monument, the route from Cosme Velho, and the best hours for the panorama.

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Symbol of Rio and one of the new wonders of the world

💡 In short:

• An adult ticket costs R$ 134, children under 6 go free (As of 09/2026, price on the operator's website).
• The ascent starts at Cosme Velho station.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Christ the Redeemer stands on Corcovado mountain in Tijuca National Park, at about 700 m above sea level (As of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Christ the Redeemer). From the platform at the base, you get a panorama of all of Rio: Guanabara Bay, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain. In 2007, the statue was added to the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it has remained the main symbol of Brazil ever since.

The monument is visible from almost anywhere in the city, so people come here both for the view and for a photo in front of the outstretched arms. You go up to an open platform where it is almost always windy. In high season, the railing area gets crowded, so allow time for the line and don't hog the edge for too long.

History of the statue

The idea of putting a monument on Corcovado first came up back in the mid-19th century, but the project was not approved at the time. The idea was revived in 1920: a Catholic circle in Rio held a "Monument Week" and collected donations. In 1922, a competition was announced, and the winning design came from engineer Heitor da Silva Costa (As of 09/2026, construction timeline).

Construction took nine years, from 1922 to 1931. The reinforced concrete frame was calculated by French engineer Albert Caquot, the figure's details were made in Paris by sculptor Paul Landowski, and the face was sculpted by Gheorghe Leonida. The finished parts were hauled to the top by the railway that had been laid in the late 19th century (As of 09/2026, history of the railway).

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The statue was unveiled on October 12, 1931. The original design looked different: Christ held a globe and a cross, and later the figure received outstretched arms as a symbol of peace. In 2006, a chapel was consecrated under the statue, where baptisms and weddings are now held (as of 09/2026, history of the monument).

Size and construction of the monument

The statue is 30 m tall without the pedestal, rises to 38 m with the eight-meter base, and its arm span reaches 28 m (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Christ the Redeemer). The sculpture itself weighs 635 tons.

The material was chosen to last for centuries: reinforced concrete is clad in soapstone, which is highly resistant to moisture and sun. The statue is regularly inspected, cleaned, and its cladding washed. Major repairs have been carried out twice, and in 2010 the stone mosaic and lightning rods were renewed (as of 09/2026, restoration details).

Tickets, prices, and opening hours

A ticket for the Trem do Corcovado train includes the ascent and descent plus access to the viewing platform. Prices updated 09/2026 from operator fares.

Slots are sold online for a specific time, and in high season they sell out several days in advance. You choose the departure hour when purchasing, so missing your train can mean losing your ticket. Guided tours with transfers are booked separately: tours to the Christ statue on GetYourGuide.

How to get there from Cosme Velho

The train departs from Cosme Velho station at Rua Cosme Velho, 513, in the southern part of the city. The route passes through Tijuca Forest past old viaducts, and you can see the whole city already on the way. You can reach the station by taxi or by metro with a transfer; the exact route is easy to check on the map and open by coordinates.

© Geogast · CC BYPhoto: Geogast, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

From the final station to the statue, there are stairs or escalators and a panoramic elevator installed in 2003 (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Christ the Redeemer). You can bypass the steps by taking the elevator. You choose the return train by time, so do not be late for the last departure.

When to go and what you can see from the platform

The weather at the top changes quickly, and clouds often cover the city. Early in the morning the chance of catching a clear view is higher, while by midday the summit is frequently shrouded. Arrive at opening: the line for the train is shorter and there are fewer people on the platform.

© Dennis G. Jarvis · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

On cloudy days the statue seems to float above the clouds, and that is worth seeing too. In the evening the lights come on, and the white figure against the dark sky looks completely different. The best shots are from the southeastern edge of the viewing platform, where you can see the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain.

The statue has appeared in dozens of films and TV series, and its silhouette has been printed on postage stamps around the world. For Brazil it is not just a monument, but the country's calling card. That is why a short trip to Rio almost always starts with Corcovado.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to Christ the Redeemer cost in 2026?

An adult ticket for the Trem do Corcovado train costs R$ 134, a child ticket for ages 7 to 11 costs R$ 107, and children under 6 go free. Discounts for seniors and students are available only to Brazilian citizens (as of 09/2026, ticket page).

How do I get to the statue from central Rio?

The easiest way is to take a taxi to Cosme Velho station at Rua Cosme Velho, 513, and then go up by train. You do not need to buy separate transport to the top (as of 09/2026, Trem do Corcovado website).

How much time do I need for the visit?

Most people spend about an hour at the viewing platform, but with travel and queues you should allow at least half a day. The ticket is tied to a time slot, so arrive early. In high season, the queue for boarding and the descent can take up a significant part of the time.

When is the best time to go to see the panorama?

Clouds appear quickly at the summit, so take the first or one of the first morning slots. By midday the city is often covered in haze. In Rio's winter, from June to August, the air is clearer than in the summer rainy season (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Christ the Redeemer).

Can I go up by car or on foot?

You can walk up along the trail from Parque Lage. Besides the Trem do Corcovado train, official vans go up from Copacabana, Largo do Machado, and Paineiras. There are also organized guided tours. You leave your private car at Cosme Velho station, and from there the ascent runs on a schedule.

In short: what to book

A trip to Corcovado is easiest to build around a single train ticket: you choose the departure time yourself.

• If you want a clear panorama: take the first morning slot.
• If you are going with a guide and transfer: check tours on GetYourGuide.
• If you are still choosing your base in the city: compare hotels in Rio de Janeiro.

Book hotels in Rio de Janeiro on Trip.com in advance, just like the train ticket.