"The Train Trip Curitiba - Morretes - Paranagua" Curitiba Things to Do Tip by glabah

This visit is based mostly on an experience in January, 2001. I most recently rode the train in August, 2003.

There are a few hotels near the train station. It is best to spend the night close to the station, I think, since departure in the morning is about 8 am (or 9 am if you get the second train, which only operates on certain days). If you plan to spend the night in a hotel before taking the train, please see my Hotel/Lodging tip on Curitiba, where several hotels are discussed, as it gives several options for spending the night near the station.

The train and bus station are combined, so arriving by overnight bus (a typical way of getting around in Brazil) should not be a big problem. The stations are in different buildings, one behind the other, but are combined in the same facility.

I have some photos of my trips on this line:
January 2002 - tourist ticket trip
August 2003 - Budd car trip

I recommend the tourist class cars / tours that SV operates on their daily train. These supposedly have air conditioning, but the windows open so that you can see and take photos better, and the air conditioning didn't seem that necessary, even in Janurary. I'm not sure they ever turned it on, because it was a cool (not cold) cloudy day.

The left side of the train is the best side. It doesn't start out that way at first, but once it crosses the summit of the Serra do Mar, it is definitely better.

The tourist class tickets also include lunch in a nice restaurant in Antoninho, a tour of some of the historic areas near Morretes, and the trip by van back to Curitiba.

Their web site lists the various package trips that are available from Serra Verde.

Their web site did not include English for some years, but it now does include English and a few other languages.

Address: Av. Presidente Afonso Camargo, 330
Directions: Estação Ferroviária
(combined bus and train station)
Phone: (41) 323-4007
Website: http://www.serraverdeexpress.com.br/