Airport Transfers
Private transfers from Rio de Janeiro's Galeão Airport (GIG) to Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Centro, Barra da Tijuca, Niterói and the coast beyond, booked before you fly.
Pre-booked private transportation takes you directly from Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport to your hotel, resort or vacation rental.
After immigration, baggage claim and customs, continue outside the terminal to the meeting area named in your confirmation. Your vehicle is reserved only for the passengers on your reservation: unlike a shared shuttle, it makes no extra hotel stops for other travelers, and the price is per vehicle, not per person.
Our airport transportation in Rio de Janeiro takes you from Galeão to the beach districts of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, to Centro and Barra da Tijuca, across the bay to Niterói, or along the coast to Búzios, Arraial do Cabo, Paraty and Angra dos Reis.
Your driver meets you in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall on the ground floor, just outside the customs exit, holding a sign with your name. We track your flight, so a late landing doesn't cost you your ride, and the price is fixed per vehicle before you fly.
Rio de Janeiro airport transfers run in everything from sedans for couples to vans for families and groups, door to door to your hotel, apartment rental or condominium in the South Zone, Barra da Tijuca or Niterói, and on to beach towns such as Búzios and Paraty.
Our Rio de Janeiro airport shuttle is a private van for your party only: it leaves Galeão as soon as you are through customs, with no stops for other passengers. There is room for suitcases, surfboards and beach gear, which suits families, groups of friends and anyone heading on to Búzios, Arraial do Cabo or the Costa Verde.
From private sedans to group vans. One fixed price per vehicle, whatever your party size.
Illustrative
Private Sedan
1 to 4 passengers
Private, non-stop transfer. All taxes included.
Illustrative
Luxury SUV
Up to 6 passengers
Comfortable VIP SUV with premium features.
Illustrative
Private Van
Up to 8 passengers
Ideal for families and groups with luggage.
Illustrative
Group Van
Up to 16 passengers
Our largest vehicle. Room for up to 16 passengers and their luggage.
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG), usually called Galeão or Tom Jobim, sits on Ilha do Governador in Rio's north zone. It is not the downtown Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), which handles mostly domestic flights.
Nearly every flight uses Terminal 2; Terminal 1 has been mostly closed to passengers since 2016. On an international flight you clear Brazilian immigration, collect your bags in baggage claim just before the customs exit, then pass customs into the arrivals hall on the ground floor (floor 0). Domestic and international arrivals come out in the same building.
Rio is on Brasília Time (UTC−3) all year, with no daylight saving time.
Brazil e-visa. Citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia have needed a Brazil e-visa since April 10, 2025. Many European and South American travelers can enter without one; check the rules for your passport before you fly.
Galeão or Santos Dumont. Rio has two airports far apart: Galeão (GIG) for international and many domestic flights, and Santos Dumont (SDU) downtown. Check your ticket and give us the right airport for your return pickup.
Decline offers in the hall. People may approach you in the arrivals hall offering rides. Walk past them to your driver holding your name sign.
Hot, humid summers. December to March is hot and humid in Rio; keep a light layer for the air-conditioned vehicle and water handy.
1
Immigration, baggage claim, then customs. Representatives can't enter those areas.
2
At the meeting point in your confirmation. Check the company name before getting in.
3
No other stops, no other passengers.
At GIG
Meet in arrivals
Pre-booked drivers usually wait in the Terminal 2 arrivals hall on the ground floor, just outside the customs exit, holding a sign with your name.
Don't accept a ride from someone claiming to know your booking.
Check the company name and reservation details before getting in.
One-way arrival
GIG Hotel
From the airport to your hotel, resort or rental.
One-way departure
Hotel GIG
From where you're staying back to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.
Round trip
GIG Hotel
Both journeys on one reservation. Give both flights, the return pickup address and the passengers for each. Staying at more than one hotel? Give the full itinerary.
Transportation can also be booked from your hotel, resort or vacation rental to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Your pickup time covers the drive plus check-in, security and border procedures, and your airline's instructions come first. Give the correct departure time and terminal when you book.
2 h
before a domestic flight
3 h
before an international flight
We monitor the arrival of the flight on your reservation, but can't find you on a different one. Tell customer service if any of these change:
About one checked suitcase and one carry-on each; the right vehicle depends on the total volume. Tell us about golf clubs, surfboards, bikes, strollers or extra bags.
Request them when booking, with the child's age and size. Availability and any fee are confirmed on your reservation.
Give the wheelchair's size, weight and whether it folds, so a suitable vehicle is assigned.
Ask for authorization before booking and tell us about the animal and its carrier.
Check e-visa rules
US, Canadian and Australian citizens have needed a Brazil e-visa since April 10, 2025, so confirm your requirements before departure.
Use official taxis
Book taxis at the company desks in the arrivals hall rather than accepting rides from people who approach you in the terminal.
Carry some reais
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (BRL), and you will find ATMs and exchange counters in the terminal.
No daylight saving
Rio de Janeiro is on Brasília Time (UTC−3) all year, as Brazil no longer observes daylight saving time.
Traveling with a large group, planning a destination wedding, or organizing transportation for a corporate retreat or conference? We offer larger vehicles and multi-vehicle coordination for groups of any size, including multiple pickup points and scheduled transfers timed around your event. Contact us with your group size and itinerary and we'll put together transportation that keeps everyone moving together.
“Absolutely fantastic service! My driver was early, courteous, and the car was immaculate.”
Sarah L. · March 2026
“The ride was comfortable and quick. Quality service that's well worth it.”
James H. · February 2026
“I use airporttransportation.com whenever I travel. Consistently reliable, and their drivers are top-notch.”
William C. · February 2026
“Booking was simple and the price was clear. No surprises at the airport. Highly recommended.”
María G. · January 2026
24 h
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, with a full refund. Later cancellations aren't refundable.
Changes
Contact us to change the flight, hotel or pickup time. Deadlines are in the reservation policies.
No-shows
Waiting time, no-shows and extra stops follow the reservation policies you accept at checkout.
Book your transfer online in a few minutes using the form above. If your plans change, contact us as soon as possible to modify your pickup details or cancel your reservation, response times and any applicable fees depend on how close to your pickup date the change is requested.
In the Terminal 2 arrivals hall on the ground floor, just outside the customs exit. Your driver holds a sign with your name, and your confirmation gives the exact meeting point.
Galeão is about 25 km from Copacabana and Ipanema and about 20 km north of downtown Rio, on Ilha do Governador. Traffic varies a lot by time of day, so give your landing time when you book and we plan the pickup around it.
Yes. These South Zone beach districts are where most of our Rio de Janeiro transfers go. Give your hotel or rental address when you book and the driver takes you to the door.
Yes. We drive to hotels, apartment buildings and condominiums in Barra da Tijuca and the neighboring West Zone. Give the building name and any gate details so the driver can get you in.
Yes. You can book a private transfer from Galeão across the bay to Niterói, or along the coast to Armação dos Búzios and Arraial do Cabo, with your luggage in the vehicle the whole way.
Yes, you can book a private transfer from the airport to Paraty or Angra dos Reis on the Costa Verde. If you are catching a boat to Ilha Grande, give the pier and your boat time when you book.
Yes. Many visitors to Rio stay in rentals and gated buildings. Give the full street address, the building name and the doorman or host's contact so the driver can find you for the return trip too.
Almost certainly Terminal 2, which handles check-in, arrivals and baggage claim for nearly all flights. Terminal 1 has been mostly closed to passengers since 2016.
No. Decline offers from people who approach you inside the terminal. With a pre-booked transfer your driver is already waiting with your name, at a price you agreed before you flew.
We follow the flight on your reservation and adjust the pickup to a delay. If your flight is cancelled, your flight number changes or you miss a connection, contact customer service so we can rebook the pickup.
Yes. Book with your real flight number and the driver is there when you land, whatever the hour. It saves looking for a ride in the middle of the night.
Yes. Book a one-way return or a round trip, and give your departure flight and time. Make sure your flight leaves from Galeão (GIG) and not Santos Dumont (SDU).
This page is for Galeão (GIG), Rio's international airport. Santos Dumont is a separate downtown airport for mostly domestic flights, so check which airport is on your ticket before you book.
No. Airport Transportation is a private transfer service, not the airport or its operator. For terminals, airlines and other arrival details, see our Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport page.
We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.
Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.
Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.
Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.
Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.
Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.
Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.
Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.
You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.
PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.
Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.
During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.
Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.
No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.
Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.
Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.
All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.
We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.
Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.
Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.
Choose the vehicle for your party and luggage, add your flight, and review the full reservation before you pay.
Book a transfer