Galeão International Airport (GIG) sits on Ilha do Governador, 20 km north of Copacabana. In 2026 you have four realistic options: Uber (default), pre-paid official taxi (comfort), Premium BRT bus (budget) or pre-booked private transfer (group). Here is which to pick.
Quick Answer
- Default for 1–2 travellers: Uber from the app. R$ 90–130. 35–55 minutes.
- 3–4 travellers with luggage: Pre-booked transfer ($45–60 for the vehicle).
- Budget solo / backpacker: BRT Premium bus line 2018. R$ 23. 90 minutes via Barra metro.
- Luxury arrival: Hotel-arranged Mercedes transfer R$ 350–500.
- Never take kerbside touts offering "friend discount" unofficial taxis.
🧮
Brazil Trip Cost Calculator
Planning a Rio trip? The calculator prices airport transfers, hotels and attractions for your exact dates with live USD→BRL conversion. USD $1 ≈ R$ 5.00 today
Uber — The Default Choice
Uber is legal and reliable at GIG. The pickup point is on the upper (departures) level — a small detour that avoids the chaotic arrivals lane. Follow the "Uber" signage or ask at info desk for "Uber pickup area".
- Price: R$ 90–130 (~$18–26 at current USD→BRL) off-peak. Surge 1.5–2.2x during Fri evening arrivals, major events and NYE.
- Time: 35–55 min via Linha Vermelha + Linha Amarela + Avenida Princesa Isabel.
- Car class: Uber X for 1–3 passengers. Uber Comfort (+R$ 20) guarantees a larger car for luggage.
- Payment: Card on file; no tipping expected; driver may prefer cash for toll reimbursement.
- 99 app: The Brazilian competitor to Uber works identically and is often R$ 5–10 cheaper. Both apps use the same drivers.
💡 Order the Uber from inside the arrivals hall, not outside on the kerb. Kerbside touts in blue "taxi" shirts will offer "Uber service" — they're unofficial. The real Uber pickup is upstairs at departures for cleaner pickup away from the arrivals crush.
BRT Premium — The Budget Option
The Premium BRT Line 2018 connects GIG to Alvorada (Barra da Tijuca) where you transfer to Metro Line 4 running through Zona Sul. Total journey: R$ 23 (one ticket), 90 minutes.
- How it works: Buy a RioCard at any kiosk (R$ 7 card + R$ 23 credit). Board Line 2018 at GIG Terminal 2 (upstairs). 35 min to Alvorada. Transfer to Metro Line 4 (included in ticket). 25 min to Cantagalo/General Osório for Copacabana.
- Pros: Cheapest option. Clean, A/C buses with luggage racks.
- Cons: 90 min total vs 40 for Uber. One transfer. No luggage above 2 medium bags per person.
- Best for: Solo backpackers with carry-on only, arriving mid-day without traffic.
Official Taxis at GIG
Two licensed operators at dedicated kiosks in arrivals: Transcoopass and Cootramo. Flat rate to Copacabana R$ 150–180. Pay at the kiosk, get a ticket, collect your taxi at the marked stand. More expensive than Uber but eliminates app-navigation for non-smartphone travellers.
- Price: R$ 150–180 fixed (kiosk-set).
- Time: 40–60 min.
- Pros: No app needed. Fixed price. Official oversight.
- Cons: 20–40% more expensive than Uber. Slight luggage-fee tendency.
- Use: Older travellers or anyone without a working phone plan.
⚠️ Never take unofficial kerbside taxis from people calling "taxi, taxi, friend" in arrivals. They charge R$ 250+ and have been linked to express-kidnapping incidents. Always use the kiosk taxis or Uber.
Pre-Booked Private Transfers
Companies like Blacklane, GetYourGuide and hotel concierges arrange English-speaking drivers with name signs at arrivals. Best for first-time visitors, groups of 3+, or late-night arrivals when you don't want to navigate apps.
- Standard sedan: $45–55 for up to 3 passengers.
- SUV for 4: $65–85.
- Luxury Mercedes / Audi: $100–150.
- Book through: Blacklane, GetYourGuide, Welcome Pickups, or your hotel.
- Bonus: Most companies meet you at the jetway with a name sign, handle luggage, speak English.
Santos Dumont (SDU) — The Better Airport for Copacabana
SDU is the downtown airport that handles the São Paulo shuttle (Rio–SP every 30 min) plus some domestic flights. It's 30 minutes closer to Copacabana than GIG. If you have a choice of domestic connection, SDU wins.
- SDU to Copacabana Uber: R$ 35–55, 20–35 min.
- SDU to Ipanema Uber: R$ 40–60, 25–40 min.
- SDU to Centro walking: 15 min (SDU is literally next to downtown).
Safety & Scams at Rio Airport
- Do: Use Uber, 99 or the official taxi kiosks. Confirm plate matches app.
- Do: Exchange a small amount of currency at the kiosk for initial tips (R$ 100–200).
- Do: Keep passport and phone in zipped front pockets during the transit.
- Don't: Accept help with luggage from strangers — porter scams are common.
- Don't: Take kerbside "friend price" taxis — linked to overcharging and occasional ATM-run incidents.
- Don't: Flash cash when paying the taxi. Have smaller bills ready.
People also ask
Is it safe to arrive in Rio at night?+
Yes with Uber or a pre-booked transfer. Avoid the BRT bus after 10pm (Alvorada transfer point becomes deserted). Hotel-arranged transfers are the safest late-night option.
Can I use Uber from any terminal at GIG?+
Yes. GIG has two terminals (T1, T2) and Uber pickup is marked at both on the upper/departures level.
What time does the BRT Premium bus start running?+
4:50am to 11:50pm daily, Line 2018. Every 15 min peak, every 30 min off-peak.
Galeão International Airport (GIG) sits on Ilha do Governador, 20 km north of Copacabana. In 2026 you have four realistic options: Uber (default), pre-paid official taxi (comfort), Premium BRT bus (budget) or pre-booked private transfer (group). Here is which to pick.
Quick Answer
- Default for 1–2 travellers: Uber from the app. R$ 90–130. 35–55 minutes.
- 3–4 travellers with luggage: Pre-booked transfer ($45–60 for the vehicle).
- Budget solo / backpacker: BRT Premium bus line 2018. R$ 23. 90 minutes via Barra metro.
- Luxury arrival: Hotel-arranged Mercedes transfer R$ 350–500.
- Never take kerbside touts offering "friend discount" unofficial taxis.
🧮
Brazil Trip Cost Calculator
Planning a Rio trip? The calculator prices airport transfers, hotels and attractions for your exact dates with live USD→BRL conversion. USD $1 ≈ R$ 5.00 today
Uber — The Default Choice
Uber is legal and reliable at GIG. The pickup point is on the upper (departures) level — a small detour that avoids the chaotic arrivals lane. Follow the "Uber" signage or ask at info desk for "Uber pickup area".
- Price: R$ 90–130 (~$18–26 at current USD→BRL) off-peak. Surge 1.5–2.2x during Fri evening arrivals, major events and NYE.
- Time: 35–55 min via Linha Vermelha + Linha Amarela + Avenida Princesa Isabel.
- Car class: Uber X for 1–3 passengers. Uber Comfort (+R$ 20) guarantees a larger car for luggage.
- Payment: Card on file; no tipping expected; driver may prefer cash for toll reimbursement.
- 99 app: The Brazilian competitor to Uber works identically and is often R$ 5–10 cheaper. Both apps use the same drivers.
💡 Order the Uber from inside the arrivals hall, not outside on the kerb. Kerbside touts in blue "taxi" shirts will offer "Uber service" — they're unofficial. The real Uber pickup is upstairs at departures for cleaner pickup away from the arrivals crush.
BRT Premium — The Budget Option
The Premium BRT Line 2018 connects GIG to Alvorada (Barra da Tijuca) where you transfer to Metro Line 4 running through Zona Sul. Total journey: R$ 23 (one ticket), 90 minutes.
- How it works: Buy a RioCard at any kiosk (R$ 7 card + R$ 23 credit). Board Line 2018 at GIG Terminal 2 (upstairs). 35 min to Alvorada. Transfer to Metro Line 4 (included in ticket). 25 min to Cantagalo/General Osório for Copacabana.
- Pros: Cheapest option. Clean, A/C buses with luggage racks.
- Cons: 90 min total vs 40 for Uber. One transfer. No luggage above 2 medium bags per person.
- Best for: Solo backpackers with carry-on only, arriving mid-day without traffic.
Official Taxis at GIG
Two licensed operators at dedicated kiosks in arrivals: Transcoopass and Cootramo. Flat rate to Copacabana R$ 150–180. Pay at the kiosk, get a ticket, collect your taxi at the marked stand. More expensive than Uber but eliminates app-navigation for non-smartphone travellers.
- Price: R$ 150–180 fixed (kiosk-set).
- Time: 40–60 min.
- Pros: No app needed. Fixed price. Official oversight.
- Cons: 20–40% more expensive than Uber. Slight luggage-fee tendency.
- Use: Older travellers or anyone without a working phone plan.
⚠️ Never take unofficial kerbside taxis from people calling "taxi, taxi, friend" in arrivals. They charge R$ 250+ and have been linked to express-kidnapping incidents. Always use the kiosk taxis or Uber.
Pre-Booked Private Transfers
Companies like Blacklane, GetYourGuide and hotel concierges arrange English-speaking drivers with name signs at arrivals. Best for first-time visitors, groups of 3+, or late-night arrivals when you don't want to navigate apps.
- Standard sedan: $45–55 for up to 3 passengers.
- SUV for 4: $65–85.
- Luxury Mercedes / Audi: $100–150.
- Book through: Blacklane, GetYourGuide, Welcome Pickups, or your hotel.
- Bonus: Most companies meet you at the jetway with a name sign, handle luggage, speak English.
Santos Dumont (SDU) — The Better Airport for Copacabana
SDU is the downtown airport that handles the São Paulo shuttle (Rio–SP every 30 min) plus some domestic flights. It's 30 minutes closer to Copacabana than GIG. If you have a choice of domestic connection, SDU wins.
- SDU to Copacabana Uber: R$ 35–55, 20–35 min.
- SDU to Ipanema Uber: R$ 40–60, 25–40 min.
- SDU to Centro walking: 15 min (SDU is literally next to downtown).
Safety & Scams at Rio Airport
- Do: Use Uber, 99 or the official taxi kiosks. Confirm plate matches app.
- Do: Exchange a small amount of currency at the kiosk for initial tips (R$ 100–200).
- Do: Keep passport and phone in zipped front pockets during the transit.
- Don't: Accept help with luggage from strangers — porter scams are common.
- Don't: Take kerbside "friend price" taxis — linked to overcharging and occasional ATM-run incidents.
- Don't: Flash cash when paying the taxi. Have smaller bills ready.
People also ask
Is it safe to arrive in Rio at night?+
Yes with Uber or a pre-booked transfer. Avoid the BRT bus after 10pm (Alvorada transfer point becomes deserted). Hotel-arranged transfers are the safest late-night option.
Can I use Uber from any terminal at GIG?+
Yes. GIG has two terminals (T1, T2) and Uber pickup is marked at both on the upper/departures level.
What time does the BRT Premium bus start running?+
4:50am to 11:50pm daily, Line 2018. Every 15 min peak, every 30 min off-peak.