Last updated: May 2026. Fares shown in USD are approximate and based on an exchange rate of R$5.00 per USD, the average for May 2026. Exchange rates fluctuate — always check the current rate and confirm fares directly with operators before traveling, as prices may change seasonally.
Getting to Ilha do Mel is, in itself, part of the experience. Unlike most destinations, here you choose the journey, and each option is already an adventure. Whether descending the Serra do Mar by train, cutting through the Atlantic Forest along the Estrada da Graciosa, or simply boarding a bus and letting the landscape roll by, the trip begins long before you set foot on the sand. From Curitiba, there are four ways to reach the island, with options for every profile and budget.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get to Ilha do Mel from Curitiba
The Four Routes from Curitiba to Ilha do Mel
| Route | Best for | Cost | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopter | Those who want the experience of flying over the Serra do Mar | Very high | ~1h |
| Serra Verde Train + Transfer | Those who want to live one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world | Medium to high | ~5 to 7h |
| Rental car to Pontal do Sul | Freedom, flexibility and the choice of route | Medium | ~2h to 3h |
| Bus to Pontal do Sul | Budget-friendly, no logistics to worry about | Low | ~2h30 to 3h |
Route 1: Helicopter
Flying over the Serra do Mar toward Ilha do Mel is an experience few travelers will ever have the opportunity to live. Aboard a private helicopter, you leave Curitiba and cross over the largest continuous reserve of Atlantic Forest in Brazil, with a privileged view of the Bays of Paranaguá and Antonina, two of the most important estuaries in South America. Below, the historic cities of Antonina, Morretes and Paranaguá appear between the forest and the sea, carrying centuries of history from the Paraná coast.
In the distance, before you even land, the silhouette of the island appears surrounded by water, exactly as it has always been: isolated, intact and unmistakable.
It is a private, fast and exclusive service, for those who value every detail of the experience as much as the destination itself.
For reservations, the main air taxi operators in Curitiba are Helisul Aviação (helisul.com), Heli Tur Táxi Aéreo (heliturtaxiaereo.com) and Táxi Aéreo Hércules.
Estimated cost per person (round trip)
| Leg | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Charter Curitiba to Ilha do Mel (up to 4 passengers) | $1,200 to $2,000 per leg |
| Charter Ilha do Mel to Curitiba (up to 4 passengers) | $1,200 to $2,000 per leg |
| Total round trip (1 passenger) | $2,400 to $4,000 |
| Total round trip (4 passengers) | $600 to $1,000 per person |
Route 2: Serra Verde Train to Morretes + Transfer
Considered one of the most beautiful railway stretches in the world, the Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway has been in operation since 1885 and carries in every curve a story of impossible engineering, made possible by two men who refused to accept what was said to be unachievable.
The history behind the tracks
Construction began in 1880. European engineers of the time claimed it was impossible to cross the unstable and steep Serra do Mar with a railway. The project was led by Afro-Brazilian engineers Antônio and André Rebouças, who overcame the rugged terrain by designing brilliant solutions of bridges and viaducts perfectly integrated into the mountain. The line was completed in record time, around 5 years, and inaugurated in February 1885, with approximately 9,000 workers who labored under extreme weather conditions.
Historically, the railway was the economic engine of Paraná, responsible for transporting yerba mate, timber and, later, grains produced on the plateau to the Port of Paranaguá.
What you see through the window
The 110 km route crosses the largest continuous preserved area of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The train crosses the São João Bridge, a steel structure 55 meters high inaugurated in 1884, passes through the Carvalho Viaduct on a sharp curve over a cliff with the sensation of floating in the air, cuts through 14 tunnels carved into the solid rock of the Serra do Mar and offers privileged views of the Véu da Noiva waterfall and the Pico do Marumbi. The journey is made at an average speed of 25 km/h, in about 4 hours and 15 minutes. The slowness is intentional.
Step 1: Curitiba to Morretes by train
Board the Serra Verde Express at Curitiba’s Rodoferroviária station. There are two ticket classes:
Turística: comfortable, with snack service and bilingual guide on request.
Boutique: premium experience with unlimited drinks, onboard snack service and bilingual guide included.
Step 2: Morretes to Pontal do Sul by transfer
From Morretes, you need a transfer to Pontal do Sul, the ferry departure point for the island. Tourism agencies offer organized transfers for around $70 per person per leg, taking approximately 1h15 to 1h30.
As a more budget-friendly alternative, you can take the metropolitan bus from Morretes to Paranaguá (approximately $2.10, around 1h15 to 1h30) and then a second bus from Paranaguá to Pontal do Sul (approximately $2.10, another 1h15 to 1h30). In this case, watch your timing carefully: the last traditional ferry from Pontal do Sul departs at 18:00.
Step 3: Pontal do Sul to Ilha do Mel
See the crossing options in the Schedules and Fares section below.
The return: options from Pontal do Sul to Curitiba
Returning by train is not common, as the uphill stretch of the Serra do Mar is less used as a tourist experience. The most practical options are a private transfer (approximately $100 for up to 4 people) or the bus from Pontal do Sul to Curitiba (approximately $13 per person).
Estimated cost per person (round trip)
| Leg | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Train Curitiba to Morretes (Turística) | ~$41 |
| Train Curitiba to Morretes (Boutique) | ~$95 |
| Transfer Morretes to Pontal do Sul (agency) | ~$70 |
| Or: bus Morretes to Paranaguá + Paranaguá to Pontal | ~$4.20 |
| Ferry or speedboat Pontal to island (outbound) | $6 to $7 |
| Ferry or speedboat island to Pontal (return) | $4 to $7 |
| Transfer Pontal do Sul to Curitiba (return, up to 4 people) | ~$100 total (~$25/person) |
| Or: bus Pontal do Sul to Curitiba (return) | ~$13 |
| Total round trip (Turística + transfer + ferry) | ~$147 per person |
| Total round trip (Turística + bus + ferry) | ~$81 per person |
| Total round trip (Boutique + transfer + ferry) | ~$201 per person |
Route 3: Rental Car to Pontal do Sul
The most flexible route, and one that offers a choice that is itself worth the journey: descending the Serra do Mar via the Estrada da Graciosa or the BR-277.
Option 1: Estrada da Graciosa (PR-410) — scenic route
Inaugurated in its paved form in 1873, the Estrada da Graciosa is one of the most iconic roads in Brazil. An old drovers’ trail, it cuts through the heart of the Atlantic Forest, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with cobblestone paving and winding curves surrounded by hydrangeas and dense forest.
Along the approximately 30 km of mountain road, the state maintains 7 structured rest stops with viewpoints, restrooms, natural spring water taps and kiosks. Stopping at at least one of them is almost mandatory: it is tradition to eat freshly fried pastéis, drink sugarcane juice and buy local products such as Morretes banana candy, artisanal cachaça and honey. On clear days, the higher rest stops offer a panoramic view of the Bays of Antonina and Paranaguá.
Estimated time from Curitiba to Pontal do Sul via this route: 2h30 to 3h. Distance: approximately 135 km.
Important warning: if it is raining heavily or very foggy, avoid the Estrada da Graciosa. The cobblestone surface becomes slippery and there is a risk of small landslides on the descent.
Option 2: BR-277 — fast route
A fully paved, dual-carriageway highway with speed limits of up to 110 km/h for most of the stretch. You descend the Serra do Mar directly and follow the PR-407 or PR-508 toward Pontal do Sul.
Estimated time: 1h30 to 1h45. Distance: approximately 120 km.
Note the toll on the Curitiba to São José dos Pinhais stretch, charged on both outbound and return journeys:
| Vehicle type | Fare per leg |
|---|---|
| Passenger cars and pickup trucks | $4.80 |
| Motorcycles | Exempt |
| Cars with trailers | $7.20 |
What to know about parking
Ilha do Mel has no cars. Your vehicle stays on the mainland for your entire stay. In Pontal do Sul there are several parking lots near the ferry terminal, with an average cost of $10 per day. Some parking lots have their own pier with speedboat crossing service included. The price is slightly higher, but it is worth it for the convenience: you park your car and board directly to the island without having to carry luggage to the terminal.
Estimated cost per person (round trip)
| Leg | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Car rental (varies by model and company) | From $30/day |
| BR-277 toll (passenger car, round trip) | $9.60 total |
| Parking in Pontal do Sul | ~$10/day |
| Ferry or speedboat Pontal to island (outbound) | $6 to $7 |
| Ferry or speedboat island to Pontal (return) | $4 to $7 |
| Total for the group (car + 3 days parking + toll + crossings) | From $100 for the group |
Route 4: Bus to Pontal do Sul
The most relaxed option for those who don’t want to worry about anything. You board a Viação Graciosa bus in Curitiba, sit back, and the Serra do Mar passes by the window while the bus does all the work. No navigation, no parking, no decisions. The bus stops right next to the ferry terminal in Pontal do Sul.
Travel time: approximately 2h to 2h30.
Estimated cost per person (round trip)
| Leg | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Bus Curitiba to Pontal do Sul (outbound) | ~$13 |
| Bus Pontal do Sul to Curitiba (return) | ~$13 |
| Ferry or speedboat Pontal to island (outbound) | $6 to $7 |
| Ferry or speedboat island to Pontal (return) | $4 to $7 |
| Total round trip (bus + traditional ferry) | ~$38 per person |
| Total round trip (bus + speedboat) | ~$40 per person |
The Crossing
Whether by traditional ferry or speedboat, the crossing between the mainland and Ilha do Mel is already a journey in itself. It pays to pay attention.
With eyes wide open, it is possible to spot dolphins during the crossing. It is not uncommon, and those who are distracted tend to miss them.
Crossings at sunrise and sunset offer unique visual experiences, with the light of day painting the horizon over the Bay of Paranaguá in ways that are hard to forget.
On full moon nights, the crossing surprises even those who already know the island well. The visibility and beauty of the coastline lit by the moon carry a stillness that is difficult to put into words.
And on moonless nights, with luck, something happens that very few people in the world have ever witnessed: the phytoplankton. The movement of the vessel through the water activates these microscopic organisms, creating a natural green light that glows in the darkness. It is a phenomenon that surprises even those who have seen it before. If you have the opportunity to make the crossing under these conditions, do not hesitate.
Schedules and Fares
Last updated: May 2026. Always confirm with operators before traveling. Fares in USD based on R$5.00 per USD.
Crossing from Pontal do Sul to Ilha do Mel
| Service | Fare (one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional ferry | $4 + $2 visitation fee | The $2 visitation fee is charged once per visit |
| Speedboat | ~$7 per person | Price varies by company and vessel |
| Private speedboat charter | From $30 per leg | Up to 4 people per leg. Above 4 people, $7 per person |
Traditional ferry schedule: Pontal do Sul to Ilha do Mel
Monday to Friday: departures every hour from 08:00 to 18:00.
Saturday and Sunday: departures every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 18:00.
Summer season (December 26 to Carnival): daily service with 4 to 5 departures per day.
Crossing from Paranaguá to Ilha do Mel
| Service | Fare (one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | ~$10 per person | Departs approximately 13:00, Monday to Saturday. Booking in advance is recommended |
| Traditional ferry | ~$7 per person | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only |
Traditional ferry schedule: Paranaguá to Ilha do Mel
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: departs approximately 15:30, arrives Nova Brasília around 17:10 and Encantadas around 17:35.
Serra Verde Express Train
| Class | Fare per person (one way) |
|---|---|
| Turística | ~$41 |
| Boutique | ~$95 |
Bus: Curitiba to Pontal do Sul
Fare: approximately $13 per person per leg.
Helicopter: Curitiba to Ilha do Mel
Fare: approximately $1,200 to $2,000 per leg (private charter, up to 4 passengers).
How to Get to Ilha do Mel: Which Route Is Right for You?
You have time to enjoy the journey: Take the train or descend via the Estrada da Graciosa. Set aside the full day for it. Stop in Morretes, eat a barreado, buy banana candy, walk through the historic town. These are experiences that a foreign visitor would not make a trip just for, but they add enormously when combined with Ilha do Mel. You arrive on the island in the late afternoon, on the last ferries or by night water taxi, carrying a full day of Brazil in your memory.
You have limited time: Car or bus via BR-277 and speedboat or ferry depending on your budget. The Serra do Mar already makes an impression through the window, with so much green that it is striking even without stopping. The goal is Ilha do Mel, and you can be there by lunchtime if you leave early by car, or around 13:00 on the first bus of the day.
You want a truly exclusive experience: Charter the helicopter and pay attention to every detail, because it is the best way to witness the Atlantic Forest meeting the Atlantic Ocean.
Whatever your choice, all routes lead to the paradise that is Ilha do Mel.
Before You Go: Travel Insurance
Whether you are coming from abroad or from another Brazilian state, travel insurance is worth considering before your trip. It covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage and unexpected events that can turn a dream trip into a stressful experience. Seguros Promo compares plans from multiple insurers in one place, so you can find the best coverage for your budget.
AC 1.000.000 MUNDO COM EUA COVID-19
Have any questions about getting here? Write to us at contact@almavidamar.com. It will be a pleasure to help you plan the best route for your trip.
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Also read: Ilha do Mel: Planning Your Packing List by Season and Trip Length and The Island That Gives You Back What You Forgot You Had.