Transport authorities in Rio de Janeiro have started selling a special travel card that will help visitors get around the city and to and from the venues for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The RioCard for Rio 2016, which provides access to Rio's bus, metro, train and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) networks, was officially launched on Thursday (23 June) .

There are three different categories of card. The one-day RioCard will cost 25 reais (US$7.50), the three-day card 70 reais (US$20.90) and the seven-day version 160 reais (US$47.85). The cards will be accepted on public transport from 1 August to 19 September. 

All cards will expire at midnight at the end of the last calendar day for which they are valid. However, because some events will finish after midnight, there will be a grace period of two hours after that to allow spectators to return from the venues.

On two modes of transport – theTransOlímpica BRT line, which links Barra Olympic Park and the second-largest venue cluster in Deodoro, and Line 4 of the metro – only people with a valid RioCard will be able to get onboard.

For Rio's other public transport options, people without a RioCard will be able to pay cash to buy an ordinary ticket.  

Authorities said on Thursday that the city's new tram network, or VLT, which began operating in June, may also accept the RioCard. The VLT is currently free to use and is running a limited service in the city centre.

There will be a minimum time of 30 minutes between trips on the same form of public transport or on the same bus line. The card cannot be used on the city's business-class buses or on intercity buses.

Where to buy

Cards may be ordered online but can only be delivered within Brazil. 

From 15 July, visitors will be able to buy the travel cards at points of sale across the city.