Airport Guide to Galeao International (GIG)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Rio de Janeiro-Galeao International Airport, better known as Galeao International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Brazil. Galeao is Portuguese for galleon, and the airport is named for Galleon Beach, where the majestic ship Padre Eterno was built in 1663.

Located 20km (13 miles) from central Rio de Janeiro, the airport is a favourite gateway for travellers looking to soak up the sun on Copacabana Beach or party the night away during Carnival. Its proximity to such a major international tourism destination means you can find flights to Galeao International Airport from all over the world, including local connections from Salvador da Bahia, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Vitora; and international ones from most major European and North American cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York and Washington DC.

With the addition of the second terminal in 1999, the airport increased its capacity to 7.5 million passengers per annum, however it is currently handling more than 12 million each year. This adds up to long queues for everything from security to coffee, and a lack of seating in the departure lounges. However, the airport is currently beefing up its terminals and infrastructure in a big way ahead of Rio de Janeiro hosting the World Cup in 2014.

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Terminal Transfer

You can easily get from one terminal to the other via moving walkways or travelators.

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Getting into Town

Train: There are no train or subway services from Galeao International Airport.

Bus: Air-conditioned Empresa Real coaches leave the airport every hour between 5:20am and midnight. One route goes along Copacabana Beach to Ipanema, Leblon, Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca (BRL 5); while the other goes to the city centre via Santos Dumont Airport (BRL 6).

Taxi: You’ll find taxis parked outside the terminal, but the best thing to do is to buy pre-paid vouchers from the State Tourism Authority desk inside the airport and arrange for pick-up outside the arrivals area. The average fare to most of the eastern suburbs of Rio such as Ipanema and Copacabana is BRL 64-90. Avoid using yellow taxis, which will typically add on all kinds of extra fees for air-conditioning, detours, and playing the radio.

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Car Parking

There is a multi-level car park with both long- and short-term rates across from the terminals.

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Information Desks

There is an information desk located in each terminal.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has banks, ATMs, currency exchange facilities and a post office.

Luggage: There is a lost-and-found office in both terminals, and luggage-wrapping service in the departures area.

Conference and business: There are conference and business facilities in the attached Luxor Hotel.

Other facilities: Other services offered include a pharmacy, locksmith, shoe shine, beauty salon, lottery office, police station and baby-changing station.

Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi in the American Airlines lounge, however all other hotpots are operated by Trustive and Boingo and charge fees.

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