If you’re flying into Brazil from abroad, you’ll most likely arrive via Rio de Janeiro Galeão airport or Guarulhos airport in São Paulo. Here’s are the basics to help you get where you need to go.
Rio’s Galeão Airport is Brazil’s second busiest airport. It’s located on an island (Ilha do Governador), about 30 minutes by car from the zona sul (south zone) of Rio de Janeiro. The airport has two terminals and thanks to the 2016 Olympics, it’s recently had a much needed lick of paint.
Other airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s other airport, Santos Dumont, is located in Centro and is a domestic hub. The runway is right on the water’s edge, so taking off and landing from this airport means you’re guaranteed some superb views over the city, in particular Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain).
If you are flying into Galeão and flying out of Santos Dumont, keep in mind that it’s about a 30-minute taxi ride between the two (in good traffic), so be sure to allow enough time.
Taxis / Uber from Rio Galeão
If you don’t know your way around Rio de Janeiro, we definitely recommend getting a taxi / Uber car when you first arrive. But there a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, we recommend Uber as it is just easier and cheaper. If you are new to Uber, please use our invite code 6hkek when you download the app to get a discount on your first ride. You can exit the airport on the departures level and take an Uber. Expect to pay upwards of R$45 for an Uber to Copacabana.
Tourists usually will arrive at the airport, walk straight outside from Arrivals and find many white taxis waiting for them, with drivers urging you to hop in their car. While these are licensed taxis, these cars will always cost you more, because they know you are a new arrival and unsure of the appropriate price. We recommend you take a yellow taxi from Departures. Jump into a cab that has just dropped off passengers at the airport. Also, it is usually best if the taxi uses the meter. Simply ask them “Pode ligar o taxímetro por favor?”
Taxis in Rio de Janeiro use two fare rates, labelled 1 and 2, and you will see which fare type is being used on the meter. Rate 1 (Bandeira 1) applies from 6am to 9pm Monday through Saturday. Rate 2 applies from 9pm to 6am and all day Sunday and public holidays. In December, taxis use rate 2 at all times. Make sure your driver is using the correct fare rate. You can estimate how much your taxi will cost by using the Taxi Fare Finder website.
When in Rio, be sure to always use licensed yellow taxis or Ubers. Do not be tempted to take public transport after dark to save money.
Public transport from Rio Galeão
There is no direct metro line which connects Galeão with the zona sul (south zone) of Rio. There are a number of premium bus and private transfer services which you can use, depending on where you’re staying. Here are some options to explore:
- Premium buses to/from Santos Dumont airport, cost R$14 each (as of Aug 2018)
- Premium buses to/from Zona Sul including the Premium 2018 bus service to/from Barra da Tijuca, which operates between 5h40 to 22h30 each day and runs all the way along the coast from the airport towards Barra da Tijuca, passing through popular tourist destinations like Copacabana, Ipanema and Botafogo. Cost – R$16 each (as of Aug 2018)
Lead photo by Portal Brasil 2016 (Olimpíadas) / Governo Federal Brasileiro – CC BY 3.0 br, Link
