Home › Airports › Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG) to Rio de Janeiro
Uber or an official airport taxi is the simplest way to Copacabana or Ipanema, about 40–60 minutes. Executive airport buses to the South Zone are cheaper but slower.
Best for most people: Ride-hailing. Door-to-door rides are affordable and avoid carrying luggage through unfamiliar streets.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ride-hailing Uber or 99 from the designated app pickup area | about 40–60 min to Copacabana/Ipanema | about R$70–130 | 24 h | Prices depend on demand and traffic. | |
| taxi Official airport taxis booked at the counters in Arrivals (prepaid) or regular yellow taxis from the rank | about 40–60 min | about R$100–200 to the South Zone | 24 h | Prepaid counter taxis cost more but have a fixed price. | |
| bus Executive airport buses to the city centre, Santos Dumont, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon | about 60–90 min | about every 30–60 min | about R$20–30 | daytime and evening; check last departures | Comfortable coaches with luggage space; slow in traffic. |
| BRT BRT TransCarioca rapid bus towards Barra da Tijuca | about 60–90 min | frequent | about R$4–5 | most of the day | Only useful for Barra; crowded and not ideal with luggage. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Other airports
- Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), right in the city centre, handles mainly domestic flights and is linked to the VLT light rail.
Tips
- Use only official taxis or app rides; ignore drivers approaching you in the arrivals hall.
- Avoid the Linha Vermelha expressway rush hours if you can; traffic can double the travel time.
- Keep phones and valuables out of sight in traffic jams.
- If you fly domestic into Santos Dumont, you are only 15–20 minutes from Copacabana.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Galeão to Copacabana?
Prepaid taxis booked at the airport counters typically cost about R$120–200 to Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. Metered yellow taxis and Uber are often cheaper. The ride takes about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. Always use official counters, ranks or apps.
Is there a bus from Rio airport to Copacabana?
Yes, executive airport buses run from Galeão to the city centre and along the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. A ticket costs about R$20–30. The trip takes about 60–90 minutes. Check the last departure if you land in the evening.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Rio airport?
Yes, if you use official taxis, the prepaid counters or a ride-hailing app. Avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you inside the terminal. During the drive, keep valuables out of sight, as with any large city.
How long does it take from Galeão to the South Zone?
By car allow about 40–60 minutes; in heavy traffic it can exceed an hour. Executive buses take about 60–90 minutes because they make several stops. Plan extra time when returning for a flight.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.