Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the main international airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its official name is Tom Jobim International Airport, although the lexical blend RIOGaleão is much more commonly used. In contrast, the main domestic airport for Rio de Janeiro is Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
The airport is located on Governador Island, 20 km north of central Rio de Janeiro. It takes roughly 30 minutes by car to reach Copacabana Beach from the airport.
In 2025, GIG handled nearly 18 million passengers, ranking fourth in Brazil.
Major Airlines - Gol, LATAM
Gol Linhas Aéreas is the largest airline at RIOGaleão, both by destinations served (>30) and by monthly flights (>2000). It operates flights to most of the largest Brazilian airports, several regional capitals in South America, and offers a limited number of direct flights to Europe and North America.
Galeão is also a focus city for LATAM Airlines Brasil, which flies to more than 15 destinations in Brazil and neighboring countries.
The last major domestic airline, Azul Brazilian Airlines, offers significantly fewer flights but is nonetheless a notable option when flying within Brazil.
GIG is popular with Argentinian airlines, including Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, and JetSmart Argentina.
Other regional carriers with scheduled services to and from Rio de Janeiro include Avianca, Copa Airlines, Sky Airline, JetSmart Chile, and Boliviana de Aviación.
Direct connections to the USA are possible with American Airlines (to/from Miami and others seasonally), Delta Air Lines (to/from Atlanta and New York JFK), and United Airlines (to/from Houston). Air Transat and Air Canada fly direct to Toronto and Montréal in Canada.
Last but not least, direct routes to Europe and beyond are offered by airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, ITA Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and TAP Air Portugal.
Click here to see a full list of airlines serving RIOGaleão.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Galeão has two terminals: T1 and T2.
Most flights land and depart from Terminal 2. There are no check-in and baggage claim areas in Terminal 1, so regardless of which terminal your gate is in, you must use Terminal 2 to enter or leave the airport. A 400-meter pedestrian corridor connects the two. You can also use the free landside shuttle bus.
Most domestic flights arrive at Terminal 1 (which then requires that you walk to Terminal 2), and most international flights use Terminal 2.
There are 26 gates in total, most equipped with jet bridges. The ground floor handles Arrivals, whereas the Upper, second floor, is dedicated to departures.
Rio de Janeiro Airport is open 24/7.
Connecting Flights and Transit at GIG
Galeão functions as a medium transit hub.
There is an international transit area where you can remain between two international flights. Follow the signs to "International Connections". You will have to go through a dedicated Security checkpoint just for transit passengers, but there is no Immigration check. In most situations, your luggage will be automatically transferred.
If you have a domestic-to-international transit, your luggage will also be transferred automatically. This is different for international-to-domestic connections, where you will need to retrieve and re-check your bags.
In general, Terminal 2 is not very large, and connections do not require a lot of time. Factor in about 50-70 minutes for a stress-free experience.
Check out the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Free WiFi is available throughout Terminal 2 via the “RIO GALEAO Wi-Fi” network. You may need to complete a short authentication or registration to connect, but the network is not limited in either time or duration.
Other passenger services at GIG include:
ATMs: Bradesco, Itaú, Santander, and HSBC have machines in the Arrivals area of Terminal 2.
Banks: Several Brazilian banks have branches on the first floor of T2. Generally, the opening times are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Currency Exchange: Several different money exchangers are available in Arrivals of T2.
Baby care facilities: Available in both terminals.
Children’s Play Areas: Several, both landside and airside in T2 and in T1.
Information Desk: Located on the first and second floors of T1 and on the first and third floors of T2. Available from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Luggage storage: Located in Terminal 2 and operated by Malex, with prices starting at 100 BRL per bag per day.
Coworking space: On Level 1 of Terminal 2 in Domestic Departures.
Lounges at GIG
Two airlines maintain lounges at RIOGaleão:
GOL Premium Lounge (Domestic): Located in Domestic Departures, near Gates B36/B37. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM (11 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays). Entrance fee at the door is 184 to 220 BRL, complimentary for premium passengers of the airline. The lounge also accepts lounge membership passes like Priority Pass.
GOL Premium Lounge (International): Located airside, on the third floor of the South Pier.
American Airlines Admirals Club: Located airside, on the third floor of the South Pier. Open from 2:00 PM to 11:30 PM, in line with the flight schedule of the airline. Complimentary access for members of Admirals Club, Business and First Class passengers of American Airlines, and partnering Oneworld alliance airlines. Pay at the door passes cost 59 USD.
Additionally, there are two independent Plaza Premium lounges:
Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic): Located on the Mezzanine Floor, airside. Open 24/7 with a maximum stay of 3 hours. Pay at the door pass costs 283.50 BRL.
Plaza Premium Lounge (International): Located on the third floor of the South Pier, airside. Take the escalator to Level 3 just after the duty-free shops to reach it. Also open 24/7 but limited to 3 hours of stay. Pay at the door pass costs 283.50 BRL.
The Plaza Premium Lounge in Arrivals is temporarily closed.
Star Alliance passengers can visit the Star Alliance Lounge on the third floor of the International Departures area. It is also open 24/7, but does not allow buying a pass at the door.
These lounges offer buffets of hot and cold food, soft and alcoholic drinks, dedicated WiFi, and comfortable seating. Most lounges also offer shower facilities.
Dining Options at Galeão
At Galeão, you can choose between Brazilian food in casual restaurants, cafés, international fast-food outlets, and dessert shops.
Most dining outlets are airside, after security, with operating times between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Few are 24/7.
To savor traditional Brazilian cuisine, you can go to:
Giraffas: Cooks homemade lunches on Floor 1, public area, between 5 AM and 10 PM.
Divino Fogão: Offers farmhouse homemade food on Floor 1, public area, between 5 AM and 10 PM.
Salch&Pão: Try the local hot dogs in either the Domestic or International areas of T2
Casa do Pão de Queijo: Serves classic Minas cheese bread on Floor 0, before Security. One of the few places to be open 24/7.
Fast food chains present at GIG include:
McDonald’s: Located on Floor 2, Domestic area. 5 AM to 10 PM.
Burger King: Located on Floor 1, Domestic area. 5 AM to 10 PM.
Pizza Hut: Located on Floor 1, landside. 5 AM to 10 PM.
KFC: Located on Floor 1, landside and Floor 1 in the International Area. 5 AM to 10 PM.
Subway: Located on Floor 1, landside. 5 AM to 10 PM.
TGI Fridays: Located on Floor 0, landside. 5 AM to 10 PM.
To grab a quick cup of coffee, check out these cafes:
Starbucks: Two locations - Floor 1 in the public area and Floor 2 of the Domestic Area. The latter is 24/7.
Deltaexpresso: Floor 0 of the public area is open 24/7. So is their branch in the International Area. The last one is located on Floor 2 of the Domestic Area and is open 5 AM to 10 PM.
Galeão Coffee Shop: Another 24/7 cafe option in the Domestic Area, Floor 2, airside.
Transport to and from the airport
RIOGaleão is integrated into the city’s BRT public bus network. Both regular BRT buses and executive coaches connect the airport to various parts of Rio de Janeiro. Notable routes include:
BRT Special: Runs every 20 minutes between 6 AM and 11:40 PM to Terminal Gentileza, where you can connect to tram lines 1 and 4 to get to the center. Tickets cost 15 BRL.
Line 42: Easiest way to connect to the metro network. Take Line 42 to Vicente de Carvalho and change to the Metro Green Line 2. The combined bus+metro ticket price is 9.05 BRL.
Executive Coach 2918: Goes to Barra da Tijuca, stopping at Terminal Avlorada, every 90 minutes. The ticket price is 24.85 BRL.
Executive Coach LECD71: Goes to Leblon Beach every 90 minutes. Tickets cost 24.85 BRL.
Buses stop in the outdoor area in front of Arrivals. BRT buses stop at Gate H (T1) and Gate D (T2).
Intercity buses (Auto Viação 1001) reach Búzios and Macaé, and depart from the platform next to the taxi stand.
Talking of taxis, they are available around the clock. There’s a taxi payment desk near the taxi stand where you prepay your ride, and you won’t pay the driver anything directly. Approximate taxi fares are 180 BRL to Copacabana Beach, 140 BRL to the city center, and 140 BRL to the other airport, Santos Dumont.
Uber is popular in Brazil and is usually much cheaper. The Uber pick-up and drop-off location is about 200 metres from Terminal 2 and has signs leading to it.
The car rental counters are in the Terminal 2 Arrivals area. The cars themselves are a bit further away, about a 5-10 minute drive, but every shuttle company offers a free shuttle to bring you there. These include Avis, Localiza, Movida, and Unidas.
Parking at GIG
The available parking facilities at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport are:
Garage Building (T2): A covered garage directly connected to Terminal 2. Best option all around. The first hour costs 33 BRL with discounts for additional longer stays. The daily maximum is 103 BRL, weekly 404 BRL, and monthly 520 BRL.
Premium Floor (T2): An exclusive parking option with wider spots. Charges 39 BRL for the first hour, but less for additional ones. The daily maximum is 113 BRL, weekly 444 BRL, and monthly 572 BRL.
Economy 1 (T1): An outdoor lot that requires prior reservation. Located next to Terminal 1. It is the most economical option at GIG. Charges 23 BRL for the first hour but less for additional ones. The daily maximum is 72 BRL, weekly 282 BRL, and monthly 364 BRL.
Economy 2 (T2): The equivalent budget outdoor parking option for Terminal 2. It includes a free 24-hour shuttle to/from the terminal. Prices are slightly higher than at Economy 1: 26 BRL for an hour, 82 BRL for a day, 323 BRL for a week, or 416 BRL for a month.
For walk-ins, you can pay at the terminals inside the Garage Building or at Economy 2, after which you will have 20 minutes to exit the garage/lot.
Note that none of the parking options at GIG offer a gratis period and charge for a full hour's worth of parking even if you only spend 10 minutes inside. For quick pick-ups and drop-offs, go straight to the curbside area where you can say goodbye quickly without leaving the vehicle.
Hotels near RIOGaleão Airport
The most convenient option for staying close to the airport is the Rio Galeão Aeroporto Hotel, which is on the third floor of Terminal 1. From there, you only need to walk about 10 minutes to Terminal 2 or take the 24/7 free shuttle. This is a 4-star hotel, complete with an on-site restaurant, air-conditioned rooms, and a delicious breakfast buffet.
The next best option is Linx Galeão by Wish, which is located about 1.5 km from Terminal 2. Walking is not recommended due to the lack of a pedestrian walkway, but the hotel organizes a free shuttle. This 3-star hotel’s facilities include a pool, a restaurant, a gym, and luggage storage.
There are several other hotels on Governador Island, which could make for a convenient stay if you need to be close to GIG.
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
