Rio's Airport Options: How Many Are There?

Rio de Janeiro is served by two major airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG). Santos Dumont Airport is the smaller of the two and is located just two kilometres from the city centre. It mostly serves domestic and budget flights. Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport is the main and largest airport in Rio de Janeiro, serving over 16 million passengers every year. It is located 20 kilometres from the centre of the city and is served by both local and international airlines.

Rio de Janeiro has two airports: GIG and Santos Dumont (SDU)

Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), on the other hand, is located just 2 kilometres from the city centre on Guanabara Bay. It is the second airport serving Rio and is much smaller than GIG. It serves about 9 million passengers every year, mostly on domestic and budget flights. The airlines that serve Santos Dumont include Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM, and Passaredo.

GIG is well-connected to the city centre, with buses, taxis, and other transportation services readily available. SDU is even closer to the centre, just a 5- to 10-minute ride away by car, train, taxi, or transfer.

If you're looking for the closest airport to the city centre of Rio de Janeiro, Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is your best bet. However, if you're travelling internationally or prefer a larger airport, GIG is the better option. Both airports offer a range of amenities and services to ensure a smooth travel experience.

GIG is the largest airport in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão (GIG) is the largest airport in Rio de Janeiro, serving over 16 million passengers every year. It is located 14km from the city and is served by both local and international airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Azul, British Airways, Lufthansa, and United Airlines. Most of the passengers come from Argentina, the United States, France, Chile, and the UK.

GIG is the main airport in Rio de Janeiro, with Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) being the second airport serving the city. Santos Dumont Airport is located on Guanabara Bay, just two kilometers from the city centre. It mostly serves domestic and budget flights and is served by Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM, and Passaredo.

GIG is much larger than Santos Dumont Airport, which serves about 9 million passengers every year. GIG is well-connected to the city centre, with buses, taxis, and other transportation services available. Santos Dumont Airport is also easily accessible, with a 5-10 minute ride from the city centre by car, train, taxi, or transfer.

In addition to these two major airports, there is also the Jacarepaguá–Roberto Marinho Airport in the neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca, which is dedicated to general aviation.

Santos Dumont airport is 2km from the city centre

Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão (GIG). Santos Dumont airport is located on Guanabara Bay, just 2km from the city centre. It mostly serves domestic and budget flights, with some international flights. It is the closest airport to the city centre and is served by Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM and Passaredo. It is named after the Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont.

GIG serves over 16 million passengers every year

Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG). GIG is the largest airport in Rio and serves over 16 million passengers every year. It is located 14 km from Rio de Janeiro and is served by both local and international airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Azul, British Airways, Lufthansa, and United Airlines. Most of the passengers come from Argentina, the United States, France, Chile, and the UK.

GIG, also known as Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, is the main airport serving Rio de Janeiro. It has two passenger terminals in an elliptical format, each with twelve jetways and capable of handling 7.5 million passengers annually. The airport has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including the addition of a new runway allowing intercontinental flights with no weight restrictions. GIG is well-connected to the city centre, with buses, taxis, and other transportation services readily available.

The airport is named after the neighbourhood of Galeão and has been operated by the concessionary Rio Galeão since 2014. Some of its facilities are shared with the Galeão Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force. GIG is also home to a variety of services and amenities, including luggage storage, a pharmacy in international departures, and VIP lounges offering basic business services.

In 2019, GIG was the fourth-busiest airport in Brazil by passenger traffic, showcasing its importance as a national and international aviation hub.

Santos Dumont airport serves about 9 million passengers every year

Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão (GIG). Santos Dumont airport serves about 9 million passengers every year. It is located on Guanabara Bay, just two kilometres from the city centre, and mostly serves domestic and budget flights. It is served by Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM and Passaredo. The airport is named after the Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont. It has two terminals, although only one handles flights.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport – Galeão (GIG) is the main and largest airport in Rio de Janeiro. It serves over 16 million passengers every year. It is served by both local and international airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Azul, British Airways, Lufthansa and United Airlines. Most of the passengers come from Argentina, the United States, France, Chile and the UK.

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