R$2–3 gets you from REC T1 to TI Afogados in 20–35 minutes
Linha 115 TI Aeroporto TI Afogados runs from outside Terminal 1 at Recife/Guararapes to the Afogados integrated terminal, mainly serving locals commuting between the neighborhood and the airport. The ride usually clocks in at 20–35 minutes depending on traffic on Avenida Mascarenhas de Moraes and local stops along the way.
Tickets run around R$2–3, paid on board to the cobrador in cash, using the same tariff structure as other city buses in Recife. This line is a fit only if you already know Recife’s bus system and your hotel or Airbnb sits in or very near Afogados or along the 115 corridor; otherwise you’ll likely need at least one more connection from TI Afogados.
Frequency hovers around every 20–30 minutes during daytime, but riders report longer gaps in late evenings and on some weekends. Buses are standard city models with front boarding, center exit, and standing room that fills up fast during weekday rush hours around 7:00–9:00 and 17:00–19:00.
The 115 stops at multiple neighborhood points before reaching TI Afogados, so this is not an express airport coach. Expect repeated door openings and short waits at local stops between the airport and the terminal on both outbound and inbound runs.
Rolling stock skews older, and some departures run without air‑conditioning, which you feel quickly in Recife’s 30°C-plus humidity. If AC matters to you, let one non‑AC bus go and see if the next unit in the ~20–30 minute cycle is more comfortable.
Regulars often ride only one leg on 115, then switch at TI Afogados to faster or more frequent lines toward Boa Vista, Recife Antigo, or Zona Norte. Inside TI Afogados you’ll see posted route maps and platform numbers, so note the line code you need before you leave the airport Wi‑Fi.
Step-by-step from REC T1
- 1. After exiting arrivals in T1, follow signs for “Ônibus” and walk to the curbside bus stops on Avenida Marechal Mascarenhas de Moraes.
- 2. Look for a city bus signed “115 TI Aeroporto / TI Afogados” on the front and side; buses may arrive about every 20–30 minutes in daytime.
- 3. Board at the front door, tell the cobrador you’re going to “TI Afogados,” and pay around R$2–3 in cash.
- 4. Stay on through the neighborhood stops; the end of the line is the Afogados integrated terminal, about 20–35 minutes from the airport.
- 5. At TI Afogados, follow signs to transfer buses if you’re heading deeper into Recife, or exit the terminal for local taxis or app cars.
One last tip: screenshot your onward bus number and stop from Google Maps before leaving the airport Wi‑Fi so you’re not trying to figure it out on a crowded 115 with no signal.