
Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). Both airports offer different advantages to travellers. While SDU is closer to the city centre and offers cheaper flights, GIG is the main airport in Rio de Janeiro, offering more international routes and handling more passengers.
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What You'll Learn
- Location: Santos Dumont (SDU) is downtown, while Galeão (GIG) is 20km from the city centre
- Transport: SDU is accessible by light rail, subway, taxi, train, and bus. GIG is served by buses, taxis, and other transport services
- Cost: SDU offers budget flights, while GIG is more expensive
- Airlines: GIG is served by international airlines like Lufthansa and Air France. SDU serves domestic airlines like Avianca and Azul
- Hotels: GIG has a hotel in Terminal 1 and other hotels nearby. SDU has the Ibis and Novotel hotels within 400m

Location: Santos Dumont (SDU) is downtown, while Galeão (GIG) is 20km from the city centre
Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG).
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is located in the city centre, on Guanabara Bay, just two kilometres from the centre. It is the closest airport to Centro, Rio's downtown, and is well-connected to the city by public transport. The Rio light rail has a station at the airport, connecting the terminal to downtown Rio and beyond. There is also a subway station, Cinelândia, just a minute's walk from the terminal. SDU is mostly used for domestic flights, with a few international connections to other parts of South America. It is served by budget airlines such as Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM and Passaredo.
Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the main and largest airport in Rio de Janeiro, located 20 kilometres from the city centre. It is well-connected to the centre by bus, taxi and other transportation services. GIG is served by both local and international airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Azul, British Airways, Lufthansa and United Airlines. It is the only airport in Rio that offers nonstop international flights.
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Transport: SDU is accessible by light rail, subway, taxi, train, and bus. GIG is served by buses, taxis, and other transport services
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is located in the city centre, just 2 kilometres from the business area. It is accessible by light rail, subway, taxi, train, and bus. The train service operates from 6:00 am until midnight, and taxis and transfers are available 24/7. There are no direct bus lines to the city centre, but bus line 2101 departs every 20 minutes and arrives at Avenida Vinte De Janeiro próximo ao 290, taking about an hour to get to the airport.
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the main and largest airport in Rio de Janeiro, located 20 to 25 kilometres from the city centre. It is served by buses, taxis, and other transport services. Uber is available at GIG, and you can also rent a car through the app.
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Cost: SDU offers budget flights, while GIG is more expensive
Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). When it comes to cost, SDU offers more affordable flight options compared to GIG.
SDU, located on Guanabara Bay just two kilometers from the city centre, primarily serves domestic and budget-friendly flights. It is known for offering scenic landings with views of the bay and surrounding mountains. The airlines operating from SDU include Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM, and Passaredo. These airlines offer popular flights to destinations within Brazil, such as São Paulo-Guarulhos, São Paulo-Congonhas, and Brasília.
On the other hand, GIG is the larger and main airport in Rio de Janeiro. It serves both local and international airlines, including major carriers such as Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, and Lufthansa. GIG caters to a high volume of passengers, with over 16 million passengers passing through each year. While GIG offers the convenience of direct international flights, it is further from the city centre, located about 20 kilometers away.
The choice between the two airports depends on your preferences and itinerary. If you are looking for budget-friendly options and mostly plan to travel domestically within Brazil, SDU is a great choice. However, if you require international flights and don't mind a slightly longer journey to the city centre, GIG might be more suitable.
Additionally, it's worth noting that SDU is more centrally located, making it easier to access various parts of Rio de Janeiro. The airport has good public transportation connections, including the light rail (VLT) and subway systems. In contrast, GIG is located further away, and while it also has transportation options like buses, taxis, and shuttle services, the commute to the city centre will be longer.
When considering cost, it's important to factor in not only the flight prices but also the convenience and accessibility of the airport. SDU's location and focus on domestic and budget flights make it a cost-effective option for travellers looking to explore Rio de Janeiro and nearby destinations within Brazil.
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Airlines: GIG is served by international airlines like Lufthansa and Air France. SDU serves domestic airlines like Avianca and Azul
Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). GIG is the main and largest airport in Rio de Janeiro, located 20 kilometres from the city centre. It serves both local and international airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Azul, British Airways, Lufthansa, and United Airlines.
SDU, on the other hand, is located just two kilometres from the city centre and mostly serves domestic and budget flights. It is served by Avianca, Azul, GOL, LATAM, and Passaredo. While SDU does offer some international flights, these usually require a connection in another part of Brazil, such as Sao Paulo.
If you are looking for a nonstop international flight to or from Rio, GIG is your only option. However, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option and don't mind a connection, SDU might be a better choice. It is also worth noting that SDU is much closer to the city centre and offers spectacular views of the city during landing and takeoff.
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Hotels: GIG has a hotel in Terminal 1 and other hotels nearby. SDU has the Ibis and Novotel hotels within 400m
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 de Janeiro, located about 20 kilometres from the city centre. It serves over 16 million passengers annually, offering both international and domestic flights.
GIG has a hotel located within Terminal 1, the Rio Aeroporto Hotel Galeão, which offers a restaurant, sauna, gym, and free WiFi. The three-star Linx Hotel is just 500 metres away, and other nearby hotels include the Mont Blanc Apart Hotel, Center Hotel, Hotel Caracas Rio, and Hotel Barão de Tefé.
SDU is the smaller of the two airports, located on Guanabara Bay, just two kilometres from the city centre. It primarily serves domestic and budget flights. The Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont is connected to the airport and is only 2953 feet from Baía de Guanabara. The Ibis Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont is 0.6 miles from the airport, and the Novotel Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont is located 400 metres from the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Rio de Janeiro has two airports: Santos Dumont airport (SDU) and Rio de Janeiro–
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is more focused on domestic flights and is located in the city centre. GIG is mainly used for international routes and is about 20- 25km from the city centre.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is a good option for budget travellers as it mostly offers budget flights to other parts of the country and some international locations.






















