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Arrival to Rio de Janeiro & Tranfers

Arriving to Brazil

There are many airports through Brazil with direct flights from/to major international destinations. The major hubs for entering Brazil are the Rio de Janeiro Antonio Carlos Jobim International, better known as Galeão (GIG), São Paulo International (GRU) and Campinas - Viracopos International (VCP). São Paulo and Campinas have many daily flights to/from Rio de Janeiro City.


Rio de Janeiro Airports and Transfer to the Convention Center and Hotels

The Rio de Janeiro Antonio Carlos Jobim - Galeão International Aiport (GIG), is located at 38Km (on road) from the Windsor Oceânico Convention Center. The transfer time (35min - 70min) depends on route and time of the day.


Caminho do Aeroporto Tom Jobim até o Windsor Barra Hotel
Image Source: Google Maps


The Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) operates only domestic flights. It is located in Downtown area. The Transfer time (35min-70min) is strongly affected by the traffic conditions. Depending on the weekday and time you may get a route essentially through the shoreline.

If you are entering Brazil through the São Paulo International Airport (GRU) it might be interesting to get a connection flight to the Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) instead of Galeão Airport (GIG) are the most common way. The landinds and departures from SDU are simply beautiful.

Hint: If your are entering through Guarulhos Airporto (GRU) and decides for a connection to the Santos Dumont airport (SDU) be sure that your flght does not depart from the Congonhas Airpoirt (CGH) in downtown São Paulo. If that happes your will have to commute between GRU and CGH by bus (takes a long time due traffic jam). It is like to arrive in New Yokr JFK and pick your commuting fligh from La Guardia Airport.


Caminho do Aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro até o Windsor Barra Hotel
Image Source: Google Maps


How to get to the Convention Center and Hotels

Official Taxi (yellow) and Uber are very common and reliable transportations in Rio de Janeiro. Public transportation is also available (see below) but the efficiency depends on the area of the city you are moving through. There is no metro or train lines connecting the Galeão Airport to the rest of the city. Metro and train lines can be easily reached from the Santos Dumont Airport with a short ride in a light rail (VLT).


The transfers to/from convention center and hotels from/to the city airports can be done by car (Taxi, Uber, etc), van or private bus. This is the recommended options but for adventurer the route with public transportation will be also presented below.


Important: Intermag 2024 will organize a booked pre-paid van/car service to pick the interested attendees at the airport and vice-versa. Information will be updated at the conference page intermag2024.org.



Current Options and Prices for the transfers (Updated on Nov 8, 2023)

Official Taxi (yellow) and Uber are very common and reliable transportations in Rio de Janeiro. Public transportation is also available (see below) but the efficiency depends on the area of the city you are moving through. There is no metro or train lines connecting the Galeão Airport to the rest of the city. Metro and train lines can be easily reached from the Santos Dumont Airport with a short ride in a light rail (VLT).

Option 1: Booked Transfers (recommended)
Organized by the conference with a partner Travel Agency (prices and agency yet to be confirmed):

Sedan (up to 3 pax):
Van (up to 9 pax):
Small Bus (up to 20 people):
Bus (up to 40 people):

Important: the link to book your transfer will be placed here in January, 2024.

Option 2: Regular Transportation

Official Airport Taxi (yellow taxi)(up to 3 pax):
USD 28.00

Taxis must be boarded at the official taxi stations

Uber (up to 3 pax):
USD 16.00 to USD 29.00 (depending on the car category and traffic conditions)

Uber must be boarded at the official Uber station outside the arrival level. Follow the instructions and signs posted in the airport and app.

Important: No tips are needed for Uber and Taxi in Rio de Janeiro. If you wish to give a tip it is never more than 10%. On the other hand, taxis are allowed to charge a fixed value per each luggage volume. The value is added to the taximeter (counter) value. Prepaid taxis are available at the desks located right before the exit of the arrival room. You may prepay the ride with your credit card.

Option 3: For Adventurers: Public Transportation Transfer
Galeão Airport to/from Convention Center (estimated total cost: USD 8.74 - 28.24 )


Best option is via Santos Dumont Airport but it has to be done in two steps.

Step A - Regular/Public Transportation (GIG-SDU)

Official CityTaxi (yellow) GIG- SDU 15-20min (up to 3 pax):
USD 12.00
Uber 15-20min (up to 3 pax):
USD 10.00 to USD 20.00

(Depending on the car category and traffic conditions)

Express Bus 40-50min (GIG - Downtown Rio - SDU):
USD 4.00 (possible bad timetable)

Caminho do Aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro até o Corredor Transcarioca
Image Source: Google Maps

Step B - Public Transportation (SDU - Convention Center)

1.
Best option:
VLT + SubWay (Metro Rio) + (walk, taxi or uber)
2.
VLT (SDU to Cinelândia Metro Station):
5min - USD 0.86
3.
Metro Rio:
30min - USD 1.38 (Cinelândia Station - Jardim Oceânico Station - ocean side exit)
4.
Jardim Oceânico Station - Convention Center:
By Walk: 20min; Taxi: USD 4.00; Uber: USD 2.50 - 6.00

Trajeto de transporte do Aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro até o Windsor Barra Hotel
Image Source: Google Maps

Note: The conference organizers recommend to use public transportation only if you have time and is not carrying your luggage.