If you arrived i at Santos Dumont, you’ll have arrived right into downtown Rio de Janeiro. The airport is only 10km from Copacabana, 15km from Leblon and 5km from Santa Tereza.
All flights arriving there flies over the city and depending on the wind at the time of landing can offer passengers, incredible views. Hopefully, if you sat in the right seat by the window you can appreciate the look.
The runways were built in 1934 on landfill within the Guanabara Bay.
Today, the take off and landing at this airport are all domestic flights between cities of Rio state and some cities of the main states of Brazil. The vast majority of domestic flights and all international flights happen at RIOgaleão.
If you come to Rio by plane to Santos Dumont, choose the window seat on the left of the aircraft. Because, if you’re lucky (depending on the wind direction at the time of landing) you’ll be flying over Botafogo beach right next to the Sugar Loaf mountain. It is quite an impressive view .
AIRPORT TO HOTEL
If you are not renting a car, a taxi is the best way to get to your destination.
ACCREDITED SPECIAL TAXI
In the airport lobby look for signs that read: Taxis Accredited , or Special . Those are the ones with fixed rates. The rates of Special Taxis are generally more expensive (80%) than those of a Common Taxi . And, of course, you can also choose to pay the fare posted on the taximeter.
If you arrive between 5 and 7 pm, there is a big chance of traffic jams and the fixed rate may be best.
WARNING: By the city laws, Taxis flat rate can only be offered from official greyhound stations; Airports; and the City Port. Otherwise by the taximeter.
See all prices and fees applicable in the City Department of Transportation of Rio de Janeiro site(portuguese only).
COMMON TAXI
Before traveling to Rio, go into Google Maps, trace the route from the airport to your destination and bring it with you. Upon entering the taxi, tell the driver where you are going and the main streets of the destination. If you go to Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, the Aterro do Flamengo is, always, the fastest route.
- Always note the number of the taxi and the phone of the Cooperative, which must be printed on the car side. In case you leave something behind it would be easier to locat .
Another option for transportation is PREMIUM BUS with air conditioning, to the shores of South Zone.
The line 2018 Premium, which makes the trip RIOGaleão – Alvorada passes at Santos Dumont Airport. They leave the RIOgaleão Airport every 30 minutes and on weekends, every 40 minutes. Depending on the time of the day traffic between Galeao and Santos Dumont, may vary and your waiting for it can be longer. If the taxi line is long and the number of taxis is small, it can make up for the wait.
The bus is better only if it goes by where you are staying.
I have marked on Google Maps the Itinerary of the Premium line 2018. For simplicity, I have highlighted the Center’s path to the South Zone, home to most hotels. Identify on the map the address of your hotel and see if the bus passes in front of or next to it.
In 2016 we will have another transfer option, the VLT(Veículo Leve sobre Trilhos – Light Rail) , which will pass the Santos Dumont making integration with Metro, in downtown Rio.
SUMMARY: Click here, print and bring with you.
