How far is João Pessoa from Campina Grande?

About 130 km on the BR-230, close to two hours by car or bus.

Is there a bus from João Pessoa to Campina Grande?

Yes, more than a dozen departures a day from João Pessoa bus station. In June, buy ahead.

João Pessoa to Campina Grande: bus, car and distance

The distance

From the João Pessoa seafront to the centre of Campina Grande is about 130 km on the BR-230, dual carriageway all the way. By car the trip takes close to two hours; by bus, 1h45 to 2 hours. It is the most common trip for people on the coast who want to see the Agreste — and the busiest in June, because of the world's biggest São João festival.

The Açude Velho reservoir in Campina Grande, with tall buildings on the shore and a cloudy sky — Photo: Abdias Jr · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

By bus

Buses leave from the Severino Camelo bus station in João Pessoa and arrive at Campina Grande bus station. It is one of the most frequent routes in the state, with more than a dozen departures a day from early morning to night. Buy ahead on Fridays, public holidays and throughout June.

From the seafront to João Pessoa bus station is about 20 minutes by taxi or app; in Campina, the Parque do Povo is close to the centre.

By car

By car you are free to stop along the way. The Pedra do Ingá, with its rock carvings, is a few kilometres off the BR-230 and makes a one-hour stop. In Campina, enjoy the late afternoon at the Açude Velho and the two museums designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

During São João

In June the Parque do Povo hosts the world's biggest São João, and the road and buses fill up, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Many people stay in João Pessoa — beach by day, forró by night — and go up to Campina on concert days. If you do this, buy your return ticket in advance and check the time of the last bus, or arrange transport ahead.

Day trip or overnight?

Just Campina and the Açude Velho: a day trip is enough.
Campina, Ingá and Cabaceiras: at least one night in the Agreste.
São João: sleeping in João Pessoa works if you arrange the return; sleeping in Campina avoids the road in the small hours.

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