How to get from Rio's airports to Copacabana or Ipanema: Uber (R$80–130), prepaid taxi, executive bus (R$18.85), BRT + subway or a private transfer, with times and safety tips.
12 mi
Galeão (GIG) → Copacabana, approx.
30–60 min
By car from GIG, depending on traffic
R$80–130
Uber GIG → Copacabana (Sept. 2026)
15–20 min
From Santos Dumont (SDU), Uber R$60–90
Rio has two airports. Nearly all international flights, including from the US, land at Galeão (GIG) on Ilha do Governador, about 12 miles from Copacabana. Santos Dumont (SDU), right by downtown, handles mostly domestic flights, e.g. if you connect through São Paulo. Here's how every option compares, with reference prices from Sept. 2026.
International airport
From Galeão (GIG): every option
Private transfer
Fixed price per car
Your driver waits with a name sign, helps with bags and drops you at the door. Ideal for night arrivals, families or groups.
- Prepay by card or Pix
- English-speaking support
- Must be booked ahead
Uber or 99
R$80–130 · 30–60 min
The most popular option. Pickup is at the signposted rideshare area.
- Cheap for 2–4 people
- Price shown upfront
- You need data or Wi-Fi
- Surge pricing at peak times
Official prepaid taxi
R$125–150 · 30–60 min
Paid at cooperative counters inside the terminal, fixed price.
- No data needed
- Fixed fare
- Pricier than Uber
Executive bus
R$18.85 · 60–90 min, approx.
Air-conditioned bus with luggage space running along the South Zone beachfront.
- Great value for solo travelers
- Slower, runs on a schedule
BRT + subway
About R$13 · 1.5 h or more
TransCarioca BRT to the subway (Vicente de Carvalho, Line 2), then connect to the South Zone.
- The cheapest
- Slow, crowded at rush hour, awkward with luggage
Reference prices on arrival
Approximate, Sept. 2026. Uber and 99 vary with demand.
Airports and South Zone neighborhoods
How to get an Uber at Galeão
Get connected
Turn on your eSIM or use the free airport Wi-Fi before leaving arrivals.
Follow the rideshare signs
App cars pick up at a designated spot shown in the app. Ignore drivers approaching you in the hall.
Request with the exact address
Enter the hotel's exact address. Compare with 99 if the fare looks high.
Check the plate and name
Match plate, model and driver name before getting in. Ask who they're picking up rather than giving your name.
Sit in the back and share your trip
30–60 minUse the share-trip feature with someone you trust.
Exchange money at the airport?
Better than the airport
Copacabana exchange houses
Compare two or three before exchanging.
Pix via a travel wallet
Apps like Nomad or WanderWallet.
Full money guide
From Santos Dumont (SDU)
From Santos Dumont you're 15–20 minutes from Copacabana. An Uber runs about R$60–90. Traveling light? The VLT light rail leaves from the airport door (about R$5) to downtown, where you switch to the subway (Carioca or Cinelândia) for the South Zone, R$7.90 more.
Questions fréquentes
About R$80–130 from Galeão (Sept. 2026), depending on traffic and demand. From Santos Dumont, R$60–90.
Book your airport transfer on WhatsApp
A driver waiting with your name, a fixed price and English-speaking support. We can bundle it with your tours in one payment.
You've landed: what's next?
Tours with South Zone hotel pickup, English-speaking guides and card or Pix payment.
1 Journée complète à Rio
Tour complet d'une journée entière des principales attractions touristiques de Rio : Pain de Sucre, Centre Historique, Selarón, São Bento et Christ Rédempteur.
Visite du Christ Rédempteur
Montez au Christ Rédempteur par le train historique du Corcovado et admirez la vue panoramique à 360° la plus époustouflante de Rio de Janeiro.
Excursions recommandées
Réservez en ligne avec un guide local, prix fixe et paiement par carte internationale ou Pix.
1 Journée complète à Rio
Tour complet d'une journée entière des principales attractions touristiques de Rio : Pain de Sucre, Centre Historique, Selarón, São Bento et Christ Rédempteur.
Visite du Christ Rédempteur
Montez au Christ Rédempteur par le train historique du Corcovado et admirez la vue panoramique à 360° la plus époustouflante de Rio de Janeiro.
