Book Cheap Flights to Rio de Janeiro from UK

Cheap Flights to Rio de Janeiro from the UK

Rio de Janeiro flights from London take 13-18 hours depending on your routing. There are no direct flights from the UK. The destination is served by Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG), located 20km from Copacabana, 25km from city centre.

The main airlines serving this route include LATAM, TAP Portugal, Air France, KLM. Lisbon with TAP Portugal (around 13 hours) or São Paulo with LATAM (around 14 hours) offers one of the quickest journey times.

Return fares range from £480-680 in low season to £950-1,350 during peak periods. December-March (summer) / Carnival (Feb-Mar) / New Year sees the highest demand. Book 8-12 weeks ahead for the best deals.

Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG) - Facilities & Travel Guide

Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG) is the primary airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Located 20km from Copacabana, 25km from city centre, it handles both domestic and international flights.

Tom Jobim International Airport provides a range of facilities for travellers:

Terminals: Modern terminals with standard amenities.
Shopping and Dining: Duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, and local cuisine options.
Lounges: Business and premium lounges available.
Services: Currency exchange, ATMs, luggage storage, and Wi-Fi.

Tom Jobim International Airport is connected to the city:

Transport: BRT/premium bus (BRL 20-40), Taxis/Uber (BRL 100-180 / USD 20-35). Travel time: 30-50 minutes to Copacabana/Ipanema (traffic dependent).
Ride-hailing: Uber/local apps widely available.
Car Hire: Rental companies available at the airport.

To ensure a smooth journey:

Arrive Early: Arrive 3 hours before long-haul flights.
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL).
Time Zone: Rio de Janeiro is 3 hours behind UK.
Best Time to Visit: May to September (dry, mild), December to March (hot, festive).

Flight Times to Rio de Janeiro

There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Rio de Janeiro. Lisbon with TAP Portugal (around 13 hours) or São Paulo with LATAM (around 14 hours).

One-stop flights to Rio de Janeiro typically take 13-18 hours total:

Via São Paulo: 2-5 hour layovers typical.
Via Lisbon: Similar timings with good connections.

São Paulo offers convenient connections for Rio de Janeiro. Minimum connection times are typically 90 minutes for international transfers.

Rio de Janeiro operates on BRT (GMT-3), which is 3 hours behind UK.

Airlines Flying to Rio de Janeiro

LATAM

TAP Air Portugal

Air France

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

British Airways

American Airlines

Rio de Janeiro Flight Prices

Category	Period	Average Return Fares
Economy - Low Season	April-June (autumn)	£480-680
Economy - Mid Season	July-September / November	£680-950
Economy - High Season	December-March (summer) / Carnival (Feb-Mar) / New Year	£950-1,350
Business - Low Season	April-June (autumn)	£2,500-3,500
Business - High Season	December-March (summer) / Carnival (Feb-Mar) / New Year	£3,500-5,200

Booking Tips:

Book 8-12 weeks before travel for long-haul flights.
Avoid peak periods: Prices surge during Carnival and summer holidays.
Fly midweek (Tue-Thu): Fares are often cheaper.
Compare European hub routings (Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Paris) for best value.

Best Time to Book Rio de Janeiro Flights

Price Patterns

Prices typically drop Tuesday/Wednesday for bookings

Compare European hub routings for the best deals

Peak periods (December-March (summer) / Carnival (Feb-Mar) / New Year): Book 3-4 months ahead

Ideal Booking Window

Low season (April-June (autumn)): Book 6-8 weeks ahead

High season (December-March (summer) / Carnival (Feb-Mar) / New Year): Book 10-14 weeks ahead

Set price alerts to catch fare drops

Money-Saving Tips

Compare hub options (Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Paris) for the best fares

Fly midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) for better prices

Consider open-jaw flights for more flexibility

Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer

Stand beneath the towering Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain and take in panoramic views of the city.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain for sweeping vistas over Guanabara Bay.

Copacabana Beach

Relax on the world-famous sands of Copacabana, lined with a lively promenade and Atlantic waves.

Ipanema Beach

Watch the sunset at Ipanema, where beach culture and mountain scenery meet.

Selarón Steps

Climb the colourful mosaic staircase known as Selarón Steps in the bohemian Lapa district.

Frequently Asked Questions

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