Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport Voyage Tips and guide

Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG  ^IATA) (Galeão International Airport, or more formally, RIOGaleão Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim), is the main airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a hub airport for Gol Airlines and a focus city for LATAM. It is the country's second busiest international airport, serving about 18 million passengers.

The airport is named after Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach), which is in front of the present passenger terminal of the Brazilian Air Force. It is the largest airport site in terms of area in Brazil. Since 2014 it has been operated by the concessionary Rio Galeão, a consortium formed by the Brazilian investor Odebrecht and Changi Airport Group, with a minority participation of the government-owned company Infraero, the previous operator.The new concessionary has been using the brand name RIOgaleão – Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim.

Rio Galeão has revised, modified and upgraded the construction of a new pier with 26 new bridges, a new apron for 97 aircraft, and 2,640 car parking spaces were added in 2016-17. Infrastructure improvements give the airport ample room for projected growth through 2030. Passenger traffic at the airport was just under 18 million in 2025.

Terminal 1 Terminal 1 was de-activated since the end of 2016. Its only functions are for embarkation and disembarkation of aircraft, access to Rio Aeroporto Hotel, passport issuance by Federal Police and airport operations. The terminal is also used by the Brazilian Air Force and the aprons are used by cargo aircraft. All airline check-in, baggage reclaim, ground transportation, retail stores/restaurants and other services to the public have been moved to Terminal 2.

Terminal 2 All airline operations and passenger services are in Terminal 2. Airlines serving GIG include:

• Aerolineas Argentinas, Azul Linhas Aéreas, Amaszona, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta, Edelweiss, Emirates, Gol, Iberia, KLM, LATAM, Lufthansa, Paranair, SKY, TAP Portugal, United Airlines

The airport is 20 km from the city center of Rio de Janeiro. There are executive (blue) and ordinary (yellow) taxis available and bookable on company booths at arrival halls of both terminals. The airport has one parking garage that costs R56 per day.

TransCarioca line of the BRT integrated public transportation system links Terminals 1 and 2 with Terminal Alvorada in Barra da Tijuca, with an intermediate stop at the Line 2 subway Vicente de Carvalho station, where one can access the entire subway system. At Alvorada one can transfer between the TransCarioca and TransOeste lines. The system operates 24 hours a day and tickets are sold in the BRT booths on the arrivals level.

Premium Auto Ônibus operates executive bus 2018, that runs half-hourly between 05:30 and 23:30 hours from the airport to Central Bus Station, Rio de Janeiro downtown, Santos Dumont Airport, and the southern parts of the city along the shore, with final stop at Alvorada Bus Terminal in Barra da Tijuca. Bus 2918 follows a similar schedule to Alvorada Bus Terminal, but using a different and more direct route via the Linha Amarela ("Yellow Line") expressway. Bus 2101 is an express link between Galeão and Santos Dumont airports, and bus 2145 is a normal city bus service to the Central Bus Station, downtown, and Santos Dumont Airport. It runs every 20 minutes between 05:30 and 22:30 hours. Ticket counters for these bus services are located at the arrivals area of both terminals.

Viação 1001 operates the urban bus line 761-D from the airport to Niterói. Furthermore, the same company operates an executive service to Armação dos Búzios four times a day. Departure is from the arrivals level of Terminal 1.

Ample seating areas are available with access to WiFi and charging outlets for your electronic devices. There are also several VIP lounges, including:

• American Airlines Admirals Club - one lounge in the international departures area, courtesy admission for certain frequent flyer classes, or can be purchased for US$59.
• Lounge GOL Smiles - two lounges, one in domestic departures (cost R$184,00) and one in international departures (cost R$220,00), open from 06:00 - 22:00.
• Premium Lounge - open 24 hours with 3 locations, one outside security on the main mezzanine, one in the international departures area, and one in the domestic departures area. Access is available at the door and is free to certain frequent flyer members of Air France, and KLM. Otherwise cost varies by location: outside security (R$ 156,00), domestic departures (R$ 164,00), international departures (R$ 238,00).

There are many fast-food counters selling ubiquitous American grease and sugar, but fortunately, there are also a number of better quality restaurants, many with sit-down service and regional Brazilian cuisine. Some of the better food and drink options include:

• Palaphita Galeão: A full-service restaurant offering contemporary Amazonian-inspired cuisine, known for its serene rainforest ambiance. Rating sites consistently give this restaurant the highest score of food outlets in the GIG airport.
• Divino Fogão: Home-style Brazilian buffet meals. Recommended for family-friendly atmosphere and good quality food.
• Casa do Pão de Queijo: A popular local chain for Brazilian cheese bread, pastries, and coffee.
• Mania de Churrasco: A prime steak and burger spot popular for quick but tasty grilled meats.
• Delírio Tropical: Fresh, healthy, and affordable Brazilian salads and meals.
• O Pasquim Bar e Prosa: Casual bar and restaurant offering classic Brazilian snacks and dishes.

Beware that some restaurants have been "conveniently" converting charges to dollars rather than reales, socking unaware patrons with unfair (and totally unnecessary) conversion fees. Restaurants pulling this scam include Casa Bauducco, so be very vigilant (or pay cash) if you go there.

The Rio airport has several stores charging inflated prices for things you could buy elsewhere for much less, but there aren't as many stores as huge international hubs, so keep your expectations in check and plan to shop in towns and cities (which is always the common-sense approach). There are multiple duty-free shops in the terminal and a dizzying array of American and European luxury brands including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss. A smart traveler will avoid these so they can use their precious baggage space for more meaningful souvenirs that are uniquely Brazilian.

WiFi connectivity is available throughout the airport. One hour of free service is available by connecting to the network name "GIG-WIFI" (all caps). Free WiFi is also provided in the VIP lounges (inquire about logging in as you enter the lounge). Charging stations are available throughout the airport.

The airport has following ATMs in concern Terminals:

Terminal 1:

• Bradesco - 3rd floor
• Caixa Econômica Federal - 3rd floor
• Banco do Brasil – 3rd floor
• Itaú - 3rd floor
• Santander - 3rd floor
• HSBC - 3rd floor, 1st floor

Terminal 2:

• Bradesco – 1st floor and 3rd floor
• Caixa Econômica Federal -1st floor and 3rd floor
• Itaú - 1st floor
• Santander - 1st floor and 2nd floor
• HSBC - 2nd floor – Departures, 3rd floor

• -22.8115-43.251641 Rio Aeroporto Hotel, Av. Vinte de Janeiro, S/N, Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-570, Brazil (3rd floor of Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (Terminal 1)), ☏ +55 21 3383-9800, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel has a restaurant, sauna, gym and free Wi-Fi, ideal for those with long connections at the airport.  (updated Mar 2017)

There are additional hotels on Ilha do Governador (the island) near and accessible from the Airport grounds:

• -22.8174-43.237122 Linx Galeão, Av Vinte de Janeiro s/n, Ilha do Governador, ☏ +55 21 2468-3400.  (updated Sep 2023)
• -22.80604-43.210483 More 6, R. República Árabe da Síria, 203 - Jardim Guanabara, ☏ +55 21 96437-5064.  (updated Sep 2023)