Arrival brief · Belo Horizonte CNF
CNF Arrival Guide: Belo Horizonte Airport to the City (or Ouro Preto), Safely
Confins airport is about 40 km from Belo Horizonte, so the arrival task is the ride — the executive airport bus, a recorded app, or a pre-booked transfer, not a flagged cab. Many visitors head onward to the colonial towns like Ouro Preto.
2026-08-26
What to expect after landing
Confins (Tancredo Neves International, CNF) is about 40 km north of Belo Horizonte, so the arrival task is the ride — the executive airport bus, a recorded app (Uber/99), or a pre-booked transfer, not a flagged cab — with a low profile from the start. Many visitors head onward to the colonial towns like Ouro Preto.
Brazil uses the real; use a terminal/bank/mall ATM by day, keep a low profile.
Option 1 — Executive airport bus or Uber/99
The executive airport bus runs to central Belo Horizonte comfortably and cheaply (good value), and Uber/99 (recorded) or a pre-booked transfer cover door-to-door — verify a rideshare plate, keep valuables hidden, and head to the safer central-south districts (Savassi, Lourdes). Some domestic flights use the closer Pampulha (PLU) instead.
Option 2 — Onward to Ouro Preto / the colonial towns
Ouro Preto (~2 hrs) has no airport — reach it via Belo Horizonte: a pre-booked transfer/tour straight from Confins, or a ride to the Rodoviária (bus station) and an intercity bus. A transfer or tour is easiest with luggage or late.
What it looks like
At CNF the terminal is orderly — the task is the 40 km ride into a big Brazilian city (or onward to the colonial towns). The executive bus, a recorded Uber/99, or a pre-booked transfer (never a flagged cab or tout), plus a low profile with valuables hidden, handle it. Base in the safer central-south districts, and check current Brazil travel advice — Ouro Preto onward is much calmer.
Do this instead
Take the executive airport bus, Uber/99 (plate verified), or a pre-booked transfer into Belo Horizonte — never a flagged street cab or tout; keep a low profile with valuables out of sight; and head to the safer central-south districts. For Ouro Preto, pre-book a transfer/tour or use the bus station. That’s the whole CNF arrival — check current travel advice too.
Late-night arrivals
For a late arrival, a pre-booked transfer (a named driver) is safest and calmest — arrange it before you fly, given the ~40 km distance. The executive bus runs frequently (check late times); Uber/99 also operate (verify the plate). Go directly to your accommodation, keep a low profile with valuables hidden, and don’t take a flagged cab. For a late onward trip to Ouro Preto, use a pre-arranged transfer.
Quick answers
What's the best way from Confins airport to Belo Horizonte?
Confins (Tancredo Neves International, CNF) is about 40 km north of Belo Horizonte, so the drive is ~40 minutes. The executive airport bus runs to central Belo Horizonte comfortably and cheaply and is a good value option; otherwise use Uber or 99 (recorded ride apps) or a pre-booked hotel transfer. For a first or late arrival, a pre-arranged pickup (a named driver) is the calmest option. Verify a rideshare plate matches the app, keep a low profile with valuables out of sight, and go directly to your accommodation (most visitors stay in the central-south districts — Savassi, Lourdes). Don't accept a curb taxi tout. Note some domestic flights use the closer Pampulha airport (PLU) instead.
How do I get from the airport to Ouro Preto or the colonial towns?
Ouro Preto and the other historic Minas towns have no airports of their own, so you reach them via Belo Horizonte — Ouro Preto is about 2 hours from the city (a bit less from Confins). The options are a pre-booked private transfer or tour straight from the airport, or a bus: take the airport bus or a ride into Belo Horizonte's main bus station (Rodoviária) and then an intercity bus to Ouro Preto. For a smooth trip, especially with luggage or a late arrival, a pre-arranged transfer or an organized tour is easiest. Confirm the destination and fare when you book, keep a low profile, and go directly. Many visitors do Belo Horizonte and Ouro Preto together.
Is arriving in Belo Horizonte safe?
The airport itself is orderly, but Belo Horizonte is a big Brazilian city with real street-crime levels, so handle arrival deliberately: use the executive airport bus, a recorded app ride (Uber/99), or a pre-booked transfer, keep your phone, camera, jewelry, and cash out of sight, and go straight to your accommodation in the safer central-south districts (Savassi, Lourdes, Funcionários) rather than lingering or wandering. Move by app after dark, keep a low profile, and check your government's current travel advice for Brazil. Ouro Preto and the colonial towns you may head onward to are much calmer and safer than the city.
What if I land at Confins late at night?
For a late arrival, a pre-booked hotel transfer (a named driver meeting you) is the safest and calmest choice — arrange it before you fly, since the airport is ~40 km out and you won't want to sort a ride tired and late. The executive airport bus runs frequently but check late times; Uber and 99 also operate at night (verify the plate and share your trip). Go directly to your accommodation, keep a low profile with valuables hidden, and don't take a flagged cab or tout. If you're heading onward to Ouro Preto late, a pre-arranged transfer is the way.