Cheap flights to
Rio de Janeiro
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Flights to Rio de Janeiro overview
Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 30% compared to normal flight prices to Rio de Janeiro.
Cheapest Going deal
Average price roundtrip
Average Going deal price roundtrip
Best month to fly
Going found the most deals with travel dates in March.
Worst month to fly
Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.
Top tips for finding a cheap flight to Rio de Janeiro
Book in the Goldilocks Window
While there’s no specific day of the week when airline tickets suddenly drop, there is a time period when flights are usually cheapest. We call this period the Goldilocks Window because it’s not too close to a flight but not too far away either. For domestic flights, it’s best to book 1–3 months before a trip, while for international trips you should start looking 2–8 months out.
If your dates aren’t flexible or you plan to travel during the high season, like December–April in Rio de Janeiro, we recommend planning even further ahead. For example, if you hope to visit for Carnival in February, you should start looking for flights in August.
Don’t hold out for last-minute deals. They’re practically nonexistent during busy travel seasons. Fares actually jump 21, 14, and 7 days ahead of departure dates, so book before those points if you can.
Use the Greek Islands Trick
Even if you’re watching fares like a hawk, some fares just don’t seem to drop. Before you give up on your dream vacation, try our beloved Greek Islands Trick. Despite the name, it works for all kinds of destinations. The point is to try and get as close to your final destination as possible for the lowest fare, then find a regional budget airline for the last leg of your trip. So, if flights from Atlanta to Rio are out of your price range, look for flights to Panama or another Central American country instead. If you see an amazing deal, you can then look for flights from there to Rio de Janeiro.
Yes, it involves a little more work to plan this kind of trip, but sometimes the savings are worth it.
Search alternative departure airports
This is like the Greek Islands Trick but on your home airport side. If flights from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro are way more than you’re willing to pay, you can try searching for alternative departure airports. It can seem irrelevant if you already live near a large airport, but we see deals every day from all sorts of airports, and if you don’t seek them out you’ll miss them.
Check out flights from Miami or Houston, for example. If you see a great deal, look for flights from Atlanta to one of those cities. Repositioning yourself could end up saving you a few hundred bucks.
Fly when it’s cheaper
A simple way to save on airfare is to fly during off seasons. While it’s lovely to visit Rio during the cold months in the US—Brazil’s summer—the increased demand during that time means airlines can charge more for flights. The off season, from June–September, is the cheapest time of year to visit.
However, if you travel during the shoulder seasons, the periods just before and after the high season, you can save money and avoid crowds while also still getting pretty good weather. April–May and October–November are shoulder seasons in Rio and a great time to travel.
If traveling outside of peak season isn’t an option, look for flights on what are generally the cheapest days to fly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Unsurprisingly, Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive.
Set alerts for specific trips
You don’t have to convince us that keeping track of fluctuating airfare is hard work. The good news is technology can handle much of it for you.
Set up fare alerts for your travel dates, and you’ll get an email when prices drop by a significant amount or into your target range. We recommend doing this ahead of the Goldilocks Window we talked about to see deals roll in during that time. If your dates or departure cities are flexible, be sure to set a few alerts.
Rio is easy to reach from a few cities in the US, Europe, and South America, but most visitors will likely make one stop.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Rio de Janeiro
What is the airport code for Galeāo International Airport?
The airport code for Galeāo International Airport is GIG.
When is high season in Rio de Janeiro?
High season in Rio de Janeiro runs from December to March, the southern hemisphere summer. The city is especially busy over New Year’s Eve and during Carnival, which takes place for a few weeks around late January and February.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro depends on your goals. If you’re visiting for parties, December to March, especially during Carnival, is prime time. This is also the most expensive time to visit.
April–May and October–November are shoulder seasons, with lower prices than in high season. Weather is still warm, sometimes quite hot. If you’re not into hot weather, visit during low season, or Brazil’s winter, from June to September.
Does GIG have its own on-site hotel?
The Rio Aeropuerto Hotel is located on the third floor of Terminal 1 of the airport. Amenities include room service, free wifi, mini bars, a gym with a sauna, and conference rooms. Rooms start at $75 per night.
What lounges are available at GIG?
Terminal 2: American Airlines Admirals Club, GOL Premium Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, Sala VIP, Star Alliance Lounge
The American Airlines Admirals Club has a self-serve bar, snacks, showers, TVs, a kids room, and free wifi. It is available for Admirals Club members; those flying first and business class; AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members; Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire cardholders; and Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders.
All Star Alliance passengers can use the Star Alliance lounge. It is free for Gold customers and first and business class passengers; it’s $55 for three hours for other passengers. It has a buffet, menu, full bar, showers, TVs, and newspapers and magazines.
The GOL Premium Lounge offers snacks, a full bar, showers, and TVs. Customers with the GOL Smiles Platinum or Infinite card, Smiles Diamond customers, Gold Smiles customers, and Premium Economy customers have free access to the lounge. Other passengers can purchase access for $50.
The Plaza Premium Lounge has showers, a buffet, beverages, work stations, and free wifi. Access is $34. The Sala VIP lounge has snacks, wifi, and TVs, and is available for BB Turismo customers.
What are the rules for traveling with pets to GIG?
In the airport your pet will need to be in a carrier. You should also check with your airline, as different airlines have different rules. To bring a pet from the US to Brazil you’ll need a valid health certificate, a rabies shot, and other vaccines.
How far is GIG from Rio de Janeiro?
The airport is about 10 miles from the City Center, a 20-minute drive in light traffic.
What are the transportation options for getting from GIG to Rio de Janeiro?
There are a number of options to get from the airport to Rio de Janeiro.
- By rideshare or taxi: The roughly 10-mile trip from the airport to Rio’s City Center takes about 20 minutes in light traffic. You can take a taxi or Uber, which will cost from $15–$20.
- By public transportation: The Paranapuan 915 bus departs from both airport terminals to Rubens Vaz. It makes seven stops and takes about 20 minutes. From Rubens Vaz you will need to transfer to a local bus service—324, 328, 355, or 399—to the City Center. The bus costs about $1.50.
How long is the flight to Rio de Janeiro?
The flight time to Rio depends on where you’re coming from. From New York and Houston, a nonstop flight is about 10 hours. From Atlanta it’s 9.5, and from Miami it’s 8.5. From elsewhere in the US you’ll have to make a connection, and your flight time could range from 12–17 hours.
If you’re visiting from around South America flights are anywhere from 2–8 hours, and from a few cities in Europe with nonstop options it’s around 11.5. From the rest of the world, flights will include a stop and could take 10–24 hours.
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.