The city of Rio de Janeiro is about 16 km, around a 20 minute drive, from Rio de Janeiro airport, named the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG). To get from the airport to the city, you can take a taxi, a bus, or a combination of the bus and metro. You can hire either a taxi with a fixed rate inside the airport, or you can take a metered taxi from just outside the airport for a cheaper rate. A great alternative to the taxi is to book a transfer with one of Welcome Pickups’ professional English-speaking drivers for a competitive flat rate. To reach the city by bus from the airport, you can take one of Expresso Recreio’s Frescão buses – lines 2145 and 2016 pass through the city. Another option is to take a BRT bus to the Vincente de Carvalho metro station from where you take the L2 metro into the city.
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Getting from Rio de Janeiro Airport to City
Comparison of the options
How to get from Rio de Janeiro airport to city by taxi
From the Rio de Janeiro airport, you may either book a taxi inside the airport for a flat rate or take a metered taxi from outside the airport to reach the city of Rio de Janeiro. Inside the Arrivals halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, taxi services are offered by several reputable companies for a flat rate, which tends to cost a bit more than taking a metered taxi. You can find metered taxis just outside either Arrivals halls, including taxis operated by Aerocoop, the airport’s cooperative taxi service company. The time it takes to reach the city by taxi from the airport is largely dependent on traffic and whether you choose to take express highway (you may be subject to pay tolls costs). Via the express highway, you can reach the city in around 20 to 35 minutes. Taxi fare generally ranges from €6.50-€10 (R$30-R$45), with fixed fares being more expensive than metered taxis.
Taxi fare from Rio de Janeiro airport to city
Inside Rio de Janeiro airport, you can book a taxi to the city for a flat rate, and you can pay either by cash or credit card. Metered taxis available outside the airport tend to be less expensive with fare determined by time and distance to your destination (luggage fees may also apply). Taxi fare ranges generally from €6.50-€10 (R$30-R$45).
Cost
€6.50-€10 (R$30-R$45)
Trip Duration
20-35 min
*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis are available 24/7 at the Rio de Janeiro airport
Where do I get it from?
Taxis can be booked for a fixed fare at the taxi companies’ counters located inside the Arrivals halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. After paying, they will direct you to your driver. Metered taxis can be found just outside of the Arrivals hall.
Convenience
Taking a taxi is the fastest and easiest way to reach the city centre from Rio de Janeiro airport as a taxi will take you directly from the airport to your final destination. Though it’s a bit more expensive, booking a taxi for a flat rate inside the airport, will likely be easier if you aren’t familiar with Portuguese or if you don’t know where exactly the destination is located.
Editor’s Note
If taking a metered taxi from outside the airport, check that the meter is turned on. You may also want to double check the route to your destination via your GPS to ensure your driver does not run up the fare.
Useful Tips
How to get from Rio de Janeiro airport to the city by bus
Expresso Recreio runs several Frescão bus lines that dock at the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport. To reach the city, you can take either the 2145 bus or the 2016 bus. Bus fare for both the 2145 and the 2016 costs €4.23 (R$18.85). The 2145 bus runs from the Galeão International Airport through the city to the domestic Santos Dummont airport every 30 minutes from 06:30 am to 21:00 pm; the journey takes around 40 minutes, depending on which stop you get off at and how much traffic there is. The 2016 bus runs from the airport, through the city and to Leblon every hour from 06:00 am to 23:00 pm; reaching the city takes just under an hour.
How much is the bus from the Rio de Janeiro airport to the city?
Both the Frescão bus lines 2145 and 2016 cost €4.23 (R$18.85) to reach the city. The bus driver accepts payment in cash upon boarding the bus.
Cost
€4.23 (R$18.85)
Trip Duration
40 min
There’s a waiting time of 30 min.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The 2145 bus is available from 06:30 am to 21:00 pm; the 2016 bus is available from 06:00 am to 23:00 pm.
Where do I get it from?
The Frescão bus 2145 picks up from just outside Terminal 2, and the 2016 stops at both terminals of the Rio de Janeiro airport. At Terminal 1, the bus stops at gate F on the second level, and at Terminal 2, it stops at gate D on the second level.
Convenience
Taking the bus is a slower method of transportation, and you may have to do some extra walking or take a short taxi ride to arrive your final destination. The buses are fairly comfortable and there is space for luggage.
Editor’s Note
If you choose to take public transportation from Rio de Janeiro airport to the city, take a look at the different bus routes and their stops in comparison to your destination before your journey, to find the best possible route.
Useful Tips
How to get from Rio de Janeiro airport to city by metro
The cheapest method of reaching the city from the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport is to take a combination of the BRT (bus rapid transit system) and the metro. This method is a bit trickier for travelers new to the region as it requires a couple of transfers. From the airport, you can take the BRT Express TransCarioca line to the Vincente de Carvalho metro station (34 minutes), where you will then need to transfer to the L2 metro, which runs in the direction of Botafogo and stops at the Presidente Vargas station (26 minutes). The journey costs a total of €1.94 (R$8.65). The BRT bus stops at the airport every 15 minutes and the metro line stops every 2-5 minutes.
How much is the BRT bus and metro from the Rio de Janeiro airport to the city?
Taking the BRT bus and metro to the city from the Rio de Janeiro airport costs a total of €1.94 (R$8.65). The BRT bus fare is €0.90 (R$4.05), and the metro fare costs €1.04 (R$4.60). Tickets may be purchased with cash from a BRT box office inside the airport, and there are box offices and ticket machines at the metro stations.
Cost
€1.94 (R$8.65)
Trip Duration
Approximately 60 min.
There’s a waiting time of 15 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The BRT bus is available 24/7, however, the metro runs from 05:00 am to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 07:00 am to 23:00 pm on Sundays and holidays.
Where do I get it from?
The BRT bus stops at both terminals of Rio de Janeiro airport. At Terminal 1, the bus stops at exit H, and at Terminal 2, it stops at exit D. You will make your transfer from the BRT bus to the L2 metro at the Vincente de Carvalho metro station.
Convenience
Taking the BRT bus and metro is the cheapest way to reach the city from Rio de Janeiro airport. However, it is also the least convenient option as you will have to make a transfer from the bus to the metro, and the public transportation system is known to be somewhat difficult to navigate. Also, the metro can be quite crowded, making it difficult to travel with luggage.
Editor’s Note
Take a look at the location of your destination in comparison to the L2 metro stops in the city to find the best stop to get off at.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to reach the city from Rio de Janeiro airport?
If you are traveling with one or more persons, taking a taxi may be less expensive than taking one of the Frescão buses, and it is the most comfortable and fastest way to reach the city, making it the best transfer option.
Does Uber operate from Rio de Janeiro airport?
Yes, Uber does service Rio de Janeiro airport and all the surrounding areas.
What is the cheapest way to get to the city from Rio de Janeiro airport?
Taking the BRT bus from the airport and transferring to the metro is the cheapest way to reach the city.
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