International Airport Rio de Janeiro / Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)

After baggage claim and customs check you reach the arrivals (desembarque) on ground level. On first floor there is a shopping area and on second floor departure (embarque).

Going to the left on ground level:
On left hand side you first find the “American Express Foreign Exchange” counter. Don’t exchange more money than definitely needed. Exchange rates are better in Rio downtown. You there also come along a tourist information where you may find a free city map and first hints. Caution: All you book here is quite expensive.

Going straight on ground level:
Straight on you find a taxi information stand. The persons working there will for sure immediately call at you and try to push you to hire one of their taxi. These are official taxi companies offering a safe transfer. Rates are however considerably higher (around 60 Real) than for taxis located further away from the airport building (asking around 40 Real) to Copacabana.

Behind the taxi stands you also find phone cabins. In case you did not book a transfer you may use them to call us. We than have an idea around when you will reach the apartment.

Going to the right on ground level:
Going to the right you are leaving the airport building to either take a taxi for 35 to 45 Real to Copacabana or 40 to 50 Real to Ipanema – or you decide to take the bus.

The mostly yellow taxis should show a badge with the drivers name and photo on the windshield. Don’t get on a taxi without this identification. Pay attention that the driver activates the taximeter. Even better: Negotiate a fix rate with the driver BEFORE starting your ride.

When you are leaving the airport building you immediately discover the bus stop at your right. The bus rate is 6 Real per person to Copacabana and runs from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm every 30 minutes. This bus is not driving at night. It is safe but depending on the number of passengers it may take quite long to Copacabana as the bus is frequently stopping and unloading luggage. This bus normally takes the route along Avenida Atlantica. Please tell the driver where you would like to get off.

The bus to the airport drives around every 30 minutes along Avenida Atlantica. Unfortunately this bus is hard to recognize and there is no declared bus stop. The bus stops upon hand signal. Watch out that you don’t miss it. The fare to the International Airport is 6 Real per person and the ride goes along the regional airport and Rio downtown among others.