Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)

Overview

Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport is located 13 miles (20km) from downtown Rio de Janeiro. One of the busiest airports in Brazil, the facility serves more than 16 million people each year, which is far more than its official capacity of 7.5 million.

This excess traffic creates inconveniences like long queues and a lack of seating for passengers; however, the airport has been undergoing construction to expand its terminals for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Flights to Galeão International Airport come from all over the world as holidaymakers flock to the sunny beaches of Ipanema and wild parties of Carnival, with routes from most major cities in Europe and North America. There are also a number of convenient local flights to Salvador de Bahia, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and Vitoria.

Location

The airport is located on Governor's Island, 10 miles (16km) north of Rio de Janeiro.

Getting to the city

Public buses are available and passengers can connect to Rio's Novo Rio Rodoviaria bus station in the city centre. Passengers can take the two Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lines from and to the airport. There are train lines near the airport, the nearest metro station from Galeão Airport is the Vicente de Carvalho, on line 2. To get to the airport, it is necessary to transfer to the BRT at this station, with a direct route to the airport.

More expensive airport shuttles are available to downtown hotels and popular destinations and often have an English speaking guide. Taxis are available.

Time

GMT -3 (GMT -2 between the third Sunday in October and the third Sunday in February)

Contacts

Tel: +55 21 3004 6050.

Car rental

Car rental companies, including Avis and Hertz, can be found in Terminal 1 and 2.

Airport Taxis

Taxis are available outside the terminals. Visitors are advised to buy prepaid taxi vouchers at the Rio Tourism Authority desk; they are usually a little bit more expensive but give you peace of mind. It is advisable to ignore the RDE taxi desk and go to the Rio de Janeiro State Tourism Authority desk instead and buy prepaid taxi vouchers there. If you hail a taxi outside the terminal, make sure the meter is cleared of the last fare.

Transfer between terminals

A moving walkway connects the two terminals.

Facilities

The airport is well equipped with facilities including ATMs, banks and bureaux de change, shops, restaurants and bars, duty-free shopping, luggage lockers, children area, a wellness spa, a swimming pool and a tourist help desk. Facilities for the disabled are good.

Parking

There are multi-level car parks near both terminals that offers short and long-term parking. Rates vary.

Website

www.riogaleao.com/en

Airlines

Flights to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport are available on Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Alitalia, Amaszonas Paraguay, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Gol Transportes Aereos, Iberia, KLM, LATAM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Royal Air Maroc, Sky Airline, TAAG Angola Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and United Airlines.

Internet

Free wifi is available for 60 minutes.

Business Lounges

The Luxor Hotel, attached to the airport, has some business and conference facilities.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.