Plan

How to get from Brasília to Pirenópolis

The two driving routes from the Federal District, the scheduled bus and how to avoid holiday traffic.

Updated on October 4, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 4, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original

Pirenópolis is the classic weekend getaway for people living in the Federal District, the territory that contains Brasília, Brazil’s capital. According to the City Hall’s Tourism Portal, the town is about 150 km from Brasília. There are two driving routes and one interstate bus line.

Route 1 — BR-070, via Cocalzinho and Corumbá de Goiás

This route follows the BR-070 through Águas Lindas de Goiás, Cocalzinho de Goiás and Corumbá de Goiás, reaching Pirenópolis from the Serra dos Pireneus side. It is generally considered the most direct route from the western side of the Federal District.

Best for: travellers leaving from Taguatinga, Ceilândia or the western part of the Federal District.
Watch out for: mountain stretches and town crossings; drive carefully, especially at night.
Bonus: it passes near Corumbá de Goiás, home to the Salto Corumbá, an attraction in a neighbouring municipality that many people fit into their trip.

Route 2 — BR-060, via Alexânia and Anápolis

The other option follows the BR-060 through Alexânia and Abadiânia towards Anápolis, then takes the state highway to Pirenópolis (the GO-431 or GO-338, depending on the access point).

Best for: travellers leaving from the Plano Piloto (central Brasília), Gama or the southern Federal District, or anyone who prefers a dual carriageway for most of the way.
Watch out for: heavy lorry traffic on the BR-060 at certain times.

	BR-070 (Cocalzinho)	BR-060 (Anápolis)
Profile	Most direct from the western Federal District	Busy federal highway
Passes through	Águas Lindas, Cocalzinho, Corumbá de Goiás	Alexânia, Abadiânia, Anápolis
Good for	Combining with Corumbá de Goiás	Leaving from the Plano Piloto or the southern Federal District

By bus

Viação Goianésia runs the interstate Brasília–Pirenópolis route; in February 2025, ANTT (Brazil’s national land transport agency) authorised it to operate simultaneously with the Ceres–Brasília route. Check with the company for timetables, boarding points and tickets. Without a car, the historic centre works very well on foot — see Pirenópolis without a car.

Flying into Brasília

If you are coming from elsewhere in Brazil or abroad, you can land at Brasília Airport (BSB) and continue by rental car, transfer or bus. Factor in the distance to the bus station if you plan to take the scheduled bus.

Before you leave

Check the route and road conditions on the day.
Book accommodation and waterfall tickets in advance on public holidays.
Plan to arrive in daylight if you do not know the way.

Once your transport is sorted, see the 2-day itinerary — the most common format for visitors from Brasília.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best route from Brasília to Pirenópolis?

There are two main options: the BR-070, via Águas Lindas, Cocalzinho de Goiás and Corumbá de Goiás, and the BR-060, via Alexânia and Abadiânia towards Anápolis. The best one depends on where you leave from in the Federal District and on the day's conditions — compare them in a maps app.

Can I do a day trip from Brasília?

Yes, since the distance is about 150 km. But the day will be rushed: with at least one night in town you can enjoy the historic centre lit up at night and reach the waterfalls early.

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