Booking Christ the Redeemer for a group isn’t complicated, but it does require advance planning. Whether you’re organizing a school trip, corporate outing, or travel group, you have three main options: buying tickets only and handling logistics yourself, joining a scheduled group tour, or booking a private tour with a dedicated guide.
Groups of 10 or more benefit from the structure of organized tours, which bundle transport, tickets, and guides into one booking. Smaller groups can mix and match. The key is securing time-slotted entry in advance, especially during peak season when same-day tickets sell out.
Christ the Redeemer Group Tickets
Rio tickets sell out quickly. We recommend booking your tickets online as early as possible. Here’s a brief overview of the different ticket options:
Entry Ticket by Corcovado Train (bestseller): Experience a scenic train journey through Tijuca Forest to Brazil’s most iconic landmark. Marvel at panoramic views of Rio from the base of this Modern World Wonder.
6-Stop Highlights Tour with Lunch (#1 rated day trip): The complete Rio experience with visits to all major attractions including Maracanã Stadium and Sambadrome. Includes a delicious Brazilian buffet lunch and expert multilingual guides.
Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps & Sugarloaf Sunset: Enjoy the magical sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain after visiting Christ the Redeemer and the colorful Selarón Steps. This 6-hour tour includes hotel transportation and a professional guide.
(All tickets include access to Christ the Redeemer)
We recommend booking through GetYourGuide or Tiqets to increase your chances of finding a ticket for your preferred dates.
How Group Bookings Work
Christ the Redeemer doesn’t offer traditional “group discounts” on entry tickets. You pay per person regardless of group size. The advantage of booking as a group comes from tour packages that include hotel pickup, transport to Corcovado, and skip-the-line access to the train or vans.
Most tour operators cap shared group tours at 15-19 participants. Larger groups need private tours, which accommodate anywhere from 20 to 40+ people depending on the operator. Private tours give you flexibility on timing, photo stops, and itinerary additions like Sugarloaf or the Selarón Steps.
Time-slotted tickets are mandatory whether you book a tour or DIY tickets. The Corcovado train and official vans both operate on scheduled departures throughout the day, typically from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Advance booking secures your preferred time and avoids the risk of sold-out slots during busy periods.
Tickets & Tours for Groups
Christ the Redeemer Official Corcovado Train Ticket
Direct entry to Christ the Redeemer via the historic cog train from Cosme Velho station. This ticket covers the 20-minute scenic railway journey through Tijuca Forest and monument access at the summit. Groups handle their own transport to the station and navigate the site independently.
Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour
Full-day small group tour combining Rio’s two most iconic landmarks with hotel pickup from Copacabana, Ipanema, or Leblon. Includes Christ the Redeemer train ticket, Sugarloaf cable car, bilingual guide, and air-conditioned transport. Tours run with a maximum of 15-18 participants.
Private Christ the Redeemer Tour with City Highlights
Dedicated vehicle and guide for your group with flexible timing and custom stops. This private option works for groups of 10-40+ and typically includes Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps, and downtown landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral or Sambadrome exterior. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Booking Process for Groups
Step 1: Choose Your Visit Style
Groups traveling without a guide should purchase official train or van tickets directly and arrange their own transport to the departure point. This works well for organized groups with a faculty leader or tour manager who can handle logistics.
Groups wanting a structured experience should book a tour package that bundles everything. These tours include hotel pickup, Christ the Redeemer entry, a guide, and often combine other attractions like Sugarloaf in a half-day or full-day itinerary.
Step 2: Select Your Date and Time
Christ the Redeemer operates daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the last train departing around 5:00 pm depending on season. Morning slots (8:00-10:00 am) offer the clearest weather and smallest crowds. Afternoon departures see heavier traffic, especially between 12:00-3:00 pm when cruise ship groups arrive.
Sunset tours time the visit for late afternoon arrival, reaching the summit around 4:00-5:00 pm when the light is best for photography. These fill up quickly and should be booked 7-10 days ahead during peak season.
Step 3: Book in Advance
Same-day tickets can sell out during December-February (Brazilian summer), July school holidays, and major holidays like Christmas and New Year. Groups booking within 48 hours of their visit date risk availability issues.
Advance booking locks in your time slot and eliminates the uncertainty of on-site ticket lines, which can stretch to 2 hours during busy periods. Online confirmation arrives via email and serves as your entry voucher.
Step 4: Confirm Pickup Details
Most group tours pick up from hotels in Rio’s South Zone, covering Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botafogo, and sometimes Flamengo. Hotels outside this area may require meeting at a central pickup point like Copacabana Beach.
Private tours offer more flexibility on pickup locations and can accommodate stays in Barra da Tijuca, Downtown, or even the airport area with advance notice.
Group Tour Options
Shared Small Group Tours
These tours cap at 15-18 participants and combine multiple groups booking separately. You’ll share a minibus or van with other travelers, all following the same itinerary and schedule. This is the most budget-friendly tour option for smaller groups of 4-10 people.
Shared tours typically last 4-6 hours and include Christ the Redeemer with one or two additional stops. Popular combinations pair the statue with Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, or a downtown cultural tour hitting the Metropolitan Cathedral and Sambadrome.
Private Group Tours
Private tours work for groups of 10 or more who want control over timing and itinerary. You get a dedicated vehicle, guide, and flexibility to spend more time at certain stops or add locations not included in standard tours.
Private options accommodate groups up to 40+ participants by arranging multiple vehicles and guides. The per-person cost decreases as group size increases, making this competitive with shared tours for larger groups.
These tours range from 4 hours (Christ the Redeemer only) to full-day experiences combining multiple attractions. Custom itineraries can include Sugarloaf, Tijuca Forest hiking, Parque Lage, beach stops, or lunch at a traditional Brazilian restaurant.
Sunset and Photography Tours
Sunset-focused tours are smaller by design, typically maxing out at 8 participants. They time the visit to reach Christ the Redeemer during golden hour (4:00-5:30 pm depending on season) when the light is best for photos.
These tours often include stops at Parque Lage and Dona Marta lookout before ascending to the statue. The smaller group size allows more space for tripods and extended photo time without feeling rushed.
What’s Included vs. What’s Not
Tour Inclusions
Most Christ the Redeemer group tours include:
- Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in air-conditioned vehicle
- Christ the Redeemer train or van ticket
- Professional bilingual guide (English, Spanish, Portuguese)
- Sugarloaf cable car ticket (on combo tours)
- Water and sometimes light snacks
Private tours may add lunch at a local restaurant, though this is often optional and charged separately.
What You’ll Pay Extra For
- Meals and drinks beyond what’s provided
- Tips for guide and driver
- Additional attraction tickets not listed in the tour package
- Personal expenses like souvenirs
Some tours offer optional add-ons like professional photography services or extended time at Parque Lage for an additional fee.
Practical Tips for Group Bookings
Book Early
Groups of 15+ should book at least 2 weeks ahead during peak season (December-February, July). Weekend departures fill faster than weekdays. Sunrise and sunset slots have limited availability year-round due to their popularity with photographers.
Check Weather Forecasts
Christ the Redeemer sits at 710 meters above sea level and regularly experiences cloud cover even when Rio’s beaches are clear. Fog can completely obscure the view. Check weather forecasts 2-3 days before your visit and be prepared to reschedule if necessary.
Most tour operators offer free rescheduling or full refunds with 24-48 hours notice, allowing flexibility if weather looks unfavorable.
Plan for Physical Requirements
The train station and summit viewing platform are accessible, but reaching the actual statue base requires climbing approximately 220 steps or using an escalator and elevator combination. Groups with mobility limitations should confirm accessibility options when booking.
Bring Required Documents
All participants need valid ID matching the booking name. International visitors should carry passports. Brazilian residents may use national ID cards. Children may need birth certificates depending on the ticket type.
Allow Buffer Time
Plan your day with buffer time before and after the Christ the Redeemer visit. Rio traffic can be unpredictable, and pickup times may shift by 15-30 minutes. Tours ending after 2:00 pm should avoid scheduling tight connections to airports or evening commitments.
Best Time to Visit for Groups
Morning departures between 8:00-10:00 am offer the most reliable weather conditions. The summit sees fewer clouds early in the day, and temperatures are cooler for the train ride and platform time.
Weekday visits encounter lighter crowds than weekends. Tuesday and Wednesday typically see the least tourist traffic, while Saturday and Sunday bring both domestic and international visitors in larger numbers.
Avoid Brazilian holidays like Christmas, New Year, Carnival week, and Easter when possible. During these periods, Rio’s population swells with domestic tourists, and all major attractions experience capacity crowds.
FAQ
Can we get a group discount?
Christ the Redeemer doesn’t offer group discounts on admission. You pay per person regardless of group size. Private tours may negotiate slightly lower per-person rates for groups of 25+, but this varies by operator.
What’s the maximum group size?
Shared tours cap at 15-19 participants. Private tours accommodate groups of 40+ by arranging multiple vehicles and guides. Very large groups (50+) should contact operators directly for custom arrangements.
How far in advance should we book?
Book 7-10 days ahead for groups of 10-20 during regular season. For peak season (December-February, July) or groups larger than 20, book 2-3 weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings (within 48 hours) risk sold-out time slots.
What if some of our group can’t climb stairs?
The viewing platform at Christ the Redeemer is accessible via elevator. Reaching the statue base itself requires either stairs or a combination of escalator and elevator. Groups with mobility concerns should confirm specific accessibility options with their tour operator when booking.
Can we split a large group into smaller tours?
Yes, but coordination gets complicated. If your group exceeds 20 participants, booking a single private tour with multiple vehicles is simpler than trying to synchronize multiple shared tour bookings with different departure times.
What happens if weather is bad?
Most operators allow free rescheduling or full refunds with 24-48 hours notice. Day-of cancellations due to weather are less common but possible if conditions are severe. Check forecasts 2-3 days before your visit and communicate with your operator about rescheduling options.
Are meals included?
Standard tours do not include meals. Some full-day private tours offer optional lunch at a traditional Brazilian restaurant for an additional fee. Budget groups should plan for meals before or after the tour.