Gramado is 120 kilometres north of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State capital which is one of Brazil's largest and most prosperous  cities. 

Gramado has no commercial airport , so people coming by air will need to fly to Porto Alegre and then drive to this mountain resort. The taxi fare from Porto Alegre to Gramado is abusive, so avoid it if you can. Instead, you can rent a car (that will have good use in Gramado and area) or take a bus from the Porto Alegre bus station to Gramado. You will get to the bus station from the airport by taxi (about US$7.00 - 10 minutes ride) an there you can get your bus ticket to Gramado (about US$ 10.00 one way). At the ticket boot (they sell tickets to all destinations within the state of RS) ask for the next 'ônibus executivo' (straight bus), since these are very comfortable, clean and airconditioned vehicles. The bus trip takes about an 1h:45. On your way up, try to get a seat on the left side of the bus for a better view of the scenery. The bus company serving Gramado is called CITRAL.

In case you are driving, keep in mind that Gramado can be reached by two different roads. The first one is called BR 116 (this is just half mile from the airport). You will drive on this highway until you reach a town called Nova Petrópolis. This is a very busy road that goes through mountainous area and is fully packed with big lorries, making it a bit dangerous. You should enter Nova Petrópolis, cross the whole town (it is a very cute place and deserves a stop over) and keep on driving for about 30 kilometres more (on highway RS 115) to get to Gramado. RS 115 is known as one of the prettiest highways in Brazil because of the European-like landscape and the hydrangeas that border the entire way. The other alternative is driving on BR 116 until you pass the city of Novo Hamburgo (to your right). You will then see the access (also on the right side of the road) to RS 239 that will take you to a city called Taquara and from there you reach Gramado via highway RS 115. This last track is also very beautiful and a much safer choice. Besides, if you take this way, you will have the chance to pass two other interesting towns: Igrejinha (Little Church) and Tres Coroas (Three Crowns) that are famous for producing leather coats and shoes. Since there are nice stores straight on  RS 115, close to the accesses to the towns, you may not need to enter these urban areas in order to buy your leather ware, which quality and prices are very good.

If you do not have a rented car you can return to Porto Alegre by bus again. There a few daily buses (check the schedule ate the Gramado bus station or at your hotel) that stop at the Porto Alegre airport after a stop at the city central bus station. However, keep in mind that you have to be at the airport at least, 50 minutes (for national flights) before you plane departs. So, leave Gramado in a bus that departs from Gramado, at least, three hours before your flight. Another way to return to the Porto Alegre airport is by van. Check with your hotel or at a travel agency in Gramado for confirmation and booking. The vans are a very good alternative since they can take you straight to the airport. The trip costs about US$30 per person.

For the bus schedule check http://www.gramadosite.com.br/cgi/hor...  or  www.citral.tur.br

For other information (in Portuguese) about Gramado check www.gramamdosite.com.br this is a very comprehensive site with all kinds of information about the city.