Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (GIG), also known as Galeão International Airport or Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport, is the largest international airport of Rio de Janeiro and is located about 19 km north of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Rio by Minibus (Shared Shuttle), Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer) or Uber.

There is also a public bus & metro service (Fetranspor, BRT & Bus Line 2018), but we do not recommend using it with luggage.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (GIG) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from GIG airport to downtown

Overview of all airport transfers from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport to the City Center (Copacabana)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Minibus	45‑90 Min.	$ 15	Details
	Taxi	25‑45 Min.	$ 15	Details
	Private Transfer	25‑45 Min.	$ 23	Details
	Uber	25‑45 Min.	$ 12-20	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Minibus (AD)

Book a minibus ride ↗

Travel time:

45-90 minutes

Cost:

R$ 70 (around US$ 15) pp

Description:

Shared Shuttle (via GetYourGuide) from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (pick-up point according to provider) to the center of Rio or directly to your accommodation

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

25-45 minutes

Cost:

R$ 70 (around US$ 15)

Description:

Taxi from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (Terminal 1 & 2) to central Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana or directly to your accommodation

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

25-45 minutes

Cost:

R$ 110 (around US$ 23)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to Rio and to your accommodation

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Uber (AD)

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

25-45 minutes

Cost:

R$ 55-100 (around US$ 12-20)

Description:

Uber from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to central Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana or directly to your accommodation

Things to know about Rio de Janeiro:

1. Street art is legal in Rio
2. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the world’s new seven wonders
3. The Portuguese explorers mistook the bay for a river and called the area Rio de Janeiro (River of January)