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Galeão Airport

Galeão Airport is the international airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Localization

Rio International Airport is located in the north part of the city; 20 km (11 miles) from downtown, more exactly on Ilha do Governador. The main access is by highway Linha Vermelha, which usually gets bottled up at rush time. So if you have a flight scheduled in the morning or late afternoon, you should leave early to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Alexandre Macieira | Riotur

History

By 1970, the airport had grown enough to be the primary domestic and international hub. Its administration was taken over in the same year by the government agency, Infraero. In 1977, a new terminal opened for international flights. This terminal is still in existence and is known as Passenger Terminal 1. The Concorde first landed here in 1976 flying from Paris. Its last flight was in 1982. A second terminal was opened in 1999 and today the airport can handle upwards of 7.5 million visitors annually.

Alexandre Macieira | Riotur

Galeão Today

In preparation for the 2014 World Soccer Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics the airport received an upgrade. Both terminals were renovated and additional parking added. 

How to Get There

The best options are to get a Taxi or "BRT" buses with routes from South Zone (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon), Barra da Tijuca and domestic airport Santos Dumont, approximately every hour. Check the times and intervals for more accurately when you're in town because there may be changes. 

The fastest option (but more expensive) is to use taxis from the cooperatives. Some also charge for luggage. There are also options for transfers from hotels in the city.