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Cheap flights to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

CMH — RIO
21 Apr — 28 Apr1
1 adult
Sun 21/4
Sun 28/4

Flights to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2024

Find the latest flights to Rio de Janeiro in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 609,536 searches and data was last updated on 16 April 2024.

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

May

Average price

$2,916

Return from

$2,305

One-way from

$1,195
High demand for flights, 14% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop
Average for return flights in April 2024
From Sydney Kingsford Smith to Rio de Janeiro
One-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) to Rio de Janeiro

Average price of flights to Rio de Janeiro by month

Plan your trip to Rio de Janeiro by taking into account the cheapest months to travel. The average price of a one-way flight to Rio de Janeiro is currently $0 while a return flight costs $0. Price data was last updated on 14 April 2024.

Summer in Rio is from December through to mid-March where the hot weather is matched with quite a bit of rain. The hottest months, December and January can see temperatures soar to well over 40 degrees Celsius. Flights to Rio and hotel rates can be quite pricey during this time and beaches can be crowded. This is not only due to the glorious weather but also a number of celebrations which take place.

The summer season plays host to one of Rio’s biggest celebrations, Carnival. This 5-day festival gives visitors the chance to learn about Brazilian culture through parties which last all day and night. The atmosphere is euphoric across the city, with people singing, dancing and having lots of fun. Rio de Janeiro is considered the Carnival Capital of the World, so it’s no wonder this is “the” time to come. This is clearly reflected through accommodation and flight prices becoming more expensive, therefore, it is advised to book your hotel and Rio de Janeiro flights at least a year in advance. To take in some sights and museums, you should aim to arrive a few days before the party starts and linger a few days after.

Another grand party is New Year’s Eve, called Reveillon. Millions pack the beach for the all-night celebration, music, and fireworks. Bear in mind this event can also affect hotel rates and the price of airline tickets.

When planning your trip, it should be taken into consideration that businesses are usually closed from just before Christmas through to the beginning of January.

The city is less crowded and prices are a bit lower during winter, from July to September. This is still a great time to visit, weather-wise, as there is very little rainfall and there are still sunny days, although the nights and some cloudy days can be a little chilly.

Temperature and rainfall in Rio de Janeiro by month

Plan your trip to Rio de Janeiro by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month.

RIO

Temperature

21 - 28 °C

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Rio de Janeiro, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, February is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 28.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 21.0 C).

When is the best time to book a flight to Rio de Janeiro?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight to Rio de Janeiro. Price data was last updated on 28 January 2024.
The price you pay for your flight to Rio de Janeiro may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 72 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.
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When is the cheapest time to fly to Rio de Janeiro?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return to Rio de Janeiro. Price data was last updated on 14 April 2024.
Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Evening
All times are departure.
Users looking for the lowest fares to Rio de Janeiro should consider flying on Wednesday at midday, when prices are typically cheapest. Budget-minded travellers will want to avoid Thursday evenings, when prices are usually at their highest.
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Reviews of airlines servicing Rio de Janeiro

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Rio de Janeiro. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Reviews last updated 16 April 2024.
To help decide which airline to fly to Rio de Janeiro, see what other customers have to say about LATAM Airlines, American Airlines and Qantas Airways. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

7.7
Good
4,493 reviews
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

7.7
Good
1,019 reviews
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

7.6
Good
2,519 reviews
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

7.3
Good
14,952 reviews
8.1
Very Good
4,092 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.3

Reviews

1 / 10

The food was simply not in the standard of emirates you could not even eat the dinner at all had to. E satisfied with some cold cut sandwiches

Getting around Rio de Janeiro

The Rio de Janeiro subway doesn’t reach all parts of the city, but it is air conditioned and quicker and cheaper than the buses, which can take you anywhere. You will need to learn enough Portuguese to ask for directions though, since few drivers speak English. Avoid taking buses at night; they can be a hotspot for robberies. The private Fresco buses have regular stops and can be flagged down anywhere on the way to the beach, downtown or the airport. If you’re travelling anywhere in the city at night, take a taxi to play it safe. There are plenty of taxis around, and you shouldn’t have trouble flagging one down. For a more reliable and air-conditioned cab, your best bet is one of the radio taxis and cab companies that serves hotels. It’s always a good idea to negotiate your fare before you get in the car if the meter isn’t running. If you rent a car, stay alert and keep the car doors locked. You’ll have to deal with heavy traffic, poorly labelled streets and scarce parking.

Getting downtown

An airport bus leaves Galeão International Airport (GIG) regularly for the major hotels along the beach road. Taxis are available outside the terminal; visitors are advised to buy prepaid taxi vouchers at the Rio Tourism Authority desk; they are usually a little bit more expensive but give you peace of mind. Public buses are also available.

What is good to know if travelling to Rio de Janeiro?

  • Take a cable-car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain. The journey to the top is done in two stages. The first cable car climbs more than 200 m up Urca Hill. Then, on another cable car, tourists travel 400 m to the summit from which there are wonderful views of Copacabana beach and over the city.
  • The world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer is 38 m high and stands at the peak of the mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park.
  • The botanical gardens are home to about 2,600 species of plant life. The gardens were created by the Prince Regent of Portugal in 1808 as a temporary home for imported plants while they were being acclimatised. There are animals too such as toucans, tanagers, marmoset monkeys and exotic butterflies.
  • World-famous beaches include Copacabana, where Rio’s New Year’s celebrations take place, and Ipanema, famous in the song The Girl from Ipanema.
  • For retail therapy, check out the upmarket Rua Garcia D’Avila or for budget-conscious travellers, the hippie fair at Praça General Osorio is a good place to pick up souvenirs such as wooden sculptures, leather goods and artworks.
  • The Museu Nacional de Belas Artes was inspired by the Louvre. It dates from 1908 and is Rio de Janeiro’s main fine arts museum. It displays artifacts from the 19th century to today from several famous Brazilian artists including Victor Meirelles, Pedro Americo and Candido Portinari as well as foreign and contemporary artists.

Related info for your journey

  • Why visit?

    Cidade Maravilhosa or “Marvellous City” is what cariocas call their beloved Rio and visitors coming off their Rio flights will quickly agree. Its recognisable landmarks: Sugar Loaf mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema provide the dramatic backdrop to the world’s most decadent city. Nestled between 90 km of beach and two lush green rainforests, Rio’s natural beauty is spellbinding and cariocas take full advantage of it. On any given day, come rain or shine, the locals are out jogging along Ipanema, skydiving close to Sugar Loaf or climbing a tree in Tijuca. But apart from its aesthetic beauty Rio’s cultural and historical sights are just as fascinating. The Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM) and Museu Histórico Nacional are well worth a visit while the port of Paraty, a Unesco World Heritage Site, provides a glimpse into Rio’s colonial past. Most visitors book their airline tickets to Rio during the Carnaval, but this is also the busiest time, when thousands of people from all over the world fly in especially for the event, making it difficult to get around the city and finding a hotel room can be a challenge. However if you think a visit to Rio isn’t complete without attending at least one Samba show, samba schools conduct pre-Carnaval rehearsals year-round. Once you’ve taken Rio de Janeiro flights, the Municipal Theatre, National Library and National Museum of Fine Arts are also must-sees.

  • What does GIG mean?

    GIG stands for Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport. Codes like this one are often called IATA codes, a set of identifiers established by IATA (International Air Transport Association) that is widely used by airlines and the aviation industry. Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) are some additional IATA codes for airports related to your trip.

  • Can I find cheaper flights to Rio de Janeiro if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Rio de Janeiro on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to Rio de Janeiro?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, LATAM Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Rio de Janeiro.

  • What is the cheapest airport to fly to in Rio de Janeiro?

    Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Rio de Janeiro. One-way flights to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport typically cost $130, while return flights cost around $855.

  • How much is a return flight to Rio de Janeiro?

    A return flight to Rio de Janeiro will typically cost around $1,226, however they can be found for as little as $553.

  • Where does the fastest flight to Rio de Janeiro depart from?

    For those looking to save time traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne offers the quickest one-way flight (21 hours 15 minutes).

  • Does Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport have car hire?

    Yes. Those touching down at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport?

    Yes. Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Escondidinho Bar, hostel e casa de festas is the closest property to Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport (1.6 km away from Rio de Janeiro–Galeão Intl Airport).

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