With the fifth largest land area in the world, Brazil turns out to be a complex country to move by other ways than air travel. For this reason, those who don’t come from the country’s South-Eastern region, get to know the Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG), known by the locals as Galeão.
If this is your case, in this post, we have prepared a Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) Guide where you will have all the information you need to make your stop there easier: infrastructure, how to get there, and get out.
Infrastructure
Inaugurated in 1952, since 2014 the airport is managed with the partnership of privately held company Changi Airport, internationally recognized by the Singapore International Airport administration, ranked as the world’s top SkyTrax consulting.
The partnership has begun to serve the events of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, based in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, Tom Jobim International Airport has been completely renovated and has administration and infrastructure worthy of the best international airports in the world.
Currently, more than 20 airlines operate at Tom Jobim International Airport with domestic and international routes that connect it to the cities of the European, African, Asian, and American continents.
Carioca Tip:
Presently, the leading airlines operate in Terminal 2, which has already been completely renovated by the new administration. Your flight to or from Rio de Janeiro will arrive or leave there.
You will find much helpful information on the airport’s official website, starting with the real-time flight boards. And for those who need to spend more time in the place, whether for meetings, waiting times, stopovers, or connections, Galeão has more than 2,700 parking spaces in its garage building, a wide range of shops and restaurants (although with very high prices), plus many ATMs and exchange rates shops. There is also a great offer of car rental companies and hotels, including airport annexes. This support network is also well detailed in the official website RioGaleão, which has Portuguese, English, and Spanish versions.
Carioca Tip:
GIG Airport also has free WIFI. In the boarding areas, you will find lounges, armchairs, and very comfortable chairs with USB jacks and sockets for charging cell phones and other electronic devices. Therefore, long waits are not so much sacrifice.
How to leave the airport:
Tom Jobim International Airport is located in a district far from the main tourist attractions of the city and, very probably, far from your accommodation. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you save some money off in your trip budget to leave Galeão Airport with a car service – be it a taxi or transport apps. We can guarantee that comfort is worth the investment!
→ If you prefer to arrive in the city with the guarantee and comfort of having a private transfer waiting for you, contact our sales team to book your private transfer here.
With Uber:
The ride-hailing app UBER operates in a regulated manner at Tom Jobim International Airport.
Recently, a new exclusive boarding point was created for passengers using the app in the arrivals area of Terminal 2, next to the taxi corridor (Gate A) on the ground floor.
To get to the Uber lounge, you must walk along a catwalk for 100 meters and choose a sector to board: orange, green, or purple, before starting the ride. Then, wait for your driver to arrive.
With 99:
99 is a local app that also serves well at Rio de Janeiro’s international airport. The boarding point is on the central island of boarding terminal 2 (top floor), preferably between gates B and D. In case of doubt, contact the driver. Remember that it is possible to use the airport’s free WIFI.
With Taxi:
Two types of taxis operate at Galeão airport: the regular taxi (yellow cab) and the special taxi. Both are tabulated and secure, with prominent booths as soon as you leave the gate.
If this is your choice, the most important tip is: do not listen to people who offer you a taxi at the exit of the landing. Many of these people are honest workers, but you may also be hooked by an irregular cab, which will charge you more and not offer security. When in doubt, do not risk it!
Special Taxi:
Special taxi stands are located in the disembark area. The cars are bigger and in a superior category to those of the regular taxis. Still, their rates are also much more expensive. If this is your choice, go to one of the stands and inform your destination. You must pay in advance for the trip at the stand with cash, debit, or credit card. You will receive a voucher from the attendant that must be delivered to the taxi driver.
Regular Taxi:
Regular taxi fares are definitely much cheaper than special taxi fares. The quoted price matches the standard taximeter in transit, so it’s usually fair and regulated by the City Hall, starting at R$ 6,20.
In the regular taxi stands found in the arrivals area, you inform your destination and receive a ticket with the value of the race. The payment must be made in cash or on the card to the taxi driver himself at the end of the trip. → If your payment is made on a credit card, notify the stand so that you are directed to a driver who accepts this form of payment.
Executive coach:
For a leaner budget, the solution can be using one of the executive coach lines, called by the locals “frescão.” The buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and have a luggage rack, with prices starting at R$ 24,85.
To use this service, go to gate C at Arrivals. An on-site attendant can always inform bus prices, schedules, and itineraries. You should pay the ticket directly to the driver when you get on the bus in cash.
What’s the problem with the executive bus? The problem with this service is that there are only two itineraries (To Leblon or Barra da Tijuca). Therefore, it is essential that you carefully analyze to see if one of them will pass close to where you will be staying. Also, the routes are long! Therefore you might lose a lot of time until you reach your destination.
The routes are:
RIOgaleão – Alvorada. The 2918 line departs from the airport towards Barra da Tijuca. Buses run only between 5am and 11pm and the ticket costs R$ 24,85.
RIOgaleão – Leblon. The LECD71 line leaves Galeão towards the South Zone region, the most touristic region of the city, where the neighborhoods of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are located. Buses run only between 5am and 11pm and the ticket costs R$ 24,85.
Carioca Tip:
Do not consider ordinary bus lines as an alternative to get out of Galeão Airport. Some bus lines even exist, but to get to the most touristy neighborhoods you will have to do many transfers, and this is a complicated task even for Cariocas who are more familiar with the city’s public transportation system. Regular buses are cheap, but very crowded and unsafe, especially in the region where the airport is located. Be aware!
BRT + Subway (Metrô)
If your trip is low-cost, the cheapest option to leave Galeão airport is through the BRT + Subway combination.
The BRT is an articulated bus circling the city in exclusive expressways. In Galeão, the available BRT is the one that circulates by the route Transcarioca, which goes to Barra da Tijuca. In the middle of the way, it is possible to transfer to the Subway, through which you can access the neighborhoods of the South, Center, and North Zone.
You will need a RioCard, the city’s integrated transportation card, to get the BRT. RioCard costs R$ 4,00, and when you top it up, you can use it throughout your trip on the subway, regular and executive buses, the VLT, the train, and the ferries. To get yours at the airport, look for the self-service machine at the BRT station. The machines accept payment in debit and cash functions, but they do not give change. Sometimes, an attendant is next to the machines to support and sell the card. If they are wearing a uniform, you can trust it.
When choosing this option, you will pay at least R$ 4,00 for the RioCard, plus R$ 4,30 for the BRT trip, and if you transfer to the subway, plus R$ 6,90. That is, the trip total will be a minimum of R$ 15,20 (The savings over the executive bus is not that big).
Attention! If you choose this option, it will be vital for you to do this route seated. The journey is long, and the buses get crowded along the way. Galeão is an endpoint. Therefore, it is reasonably easy to sit down. However, on the subway, you will hardly be that lucky!
Carioca Tip:
We must repeat: Even if your trip is Low Cost, give yourself the small luxury of leaving the International Airport, with a uber taxi or, in the worst case, executive bus. The savings on getting the BRT will not compensate for lost time on the way, nor the lack of comfort that the BRT and possible transfers will provide.
How to get to Tom Jobim Airport (GIG):
Follow the same principles as the previous topic. Prefer Uber and Taxi. If an economy is needed, opt for executive buses. Only in the latter case should you choose the BRT + Subway combination.
If in doubt, use the Moovit app to get around the city. It works great!
Carioca Tip:
Get yourself ready to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight in case of international flights. The international airport is huge and, depending on your flight or company, you will still have to walk for several minutes to get to your gate.
Maybe you’re wondering if it’s worth staying near the airport to reduce initial costs with transportation. The answer is no, not at all. Staying close to the airport means staying far away from all the major points of the city. Staying in the region will mean spending a lot more on trips throughout your stay. Also, Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil and has the traffic of the great metropolis.
→ Are you seeking accommodation in Rio de Janeiro? Explore our comprehensive guide “Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro,” and effortlessly book your ideal hotel here.
This was our Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) Guide, with all the practical information you need to know about the International Airport of Rio de Janeiro.
Any questions? Is there something you would like to know? Be sure to ask us in the comments, we will be glad to help!
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Co-founder, web designer, and content producer of Rio by Cariocas. A Historian by education and Digital Nomad by vocation. However, Rio de Janeiro is her “Safe Harbor.” She writes about the historical and cultural attractions of Rio, besides guides and practical information.
