Flying from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 20 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Sao Paulo (the location of Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport) and Rio De Janeiro share the same timezone — UTC-3.
With 372 weekly flights between the two airports, Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is the most popular route. Gol operates the earliest flight at 06:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest flight from CGH to SDU is with Azul at 21:25.
Leave enough time to make your CGH to Rio De Janeiro flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your trip at CGH and fly nonstop to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro tickets.
Pick from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Book your journey with one of these:
The journey from central Sao Paulo to CGH takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a hotel near CGH? If you're catching an early flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
73.8% of flights that leave from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport reach their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Rio De Janeiro
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight is ₹ 3,671. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 6,849. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snag cheap flights from CGH to Rio De Janeiro, book your journey one month ahead of your departure.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an epic deal on Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from CGH to Rio De Janeiro by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to the centre of Rio De Janeiro takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 18 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport takes around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near GIG if you're coming in on a late flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car and discover Rio De Janeiro and beyond with your own wheels. Foco, Localiza and Movida are top outlets you can book with here.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from CGH to Rio De Janeiro.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
After your flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 2 kilometres from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
Travelling by public transport will take around 15 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places to drop your things at near SDU. Unwind and get cosy after your CGH to Rio De Janeiro flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Santos Dumont Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and be on your way in a flash.
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at SDU can help you lock in a better rate.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Step off your flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro and make your way to your hotel or start exploring right away. The centre of Rio De Janeiro is around 32 kilometres from Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and typically takes 40 minutes to reach by car.
If you go by public transport, the journey will take you about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Enjoy an unhurried start to your break by checking in to a hotel near RRJ after your CGH to Rio De Janeiro flight. Recover from your travel day or simply take a moment to settle into a new destination at:
Pick up a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car and get on your way sooner. Whether you're after a compact or an SUV, Localiza will help you find your ideal set of wheels.
If you prefer a particular model or make, booking early increases your chances of getting exactly what you want. Book your ride from RRJ at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Before booking your flights from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Rio De Janeiro offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season brings better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Before booking a Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. February is the warmest month in Rio De Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 22ºC to 33ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CGH to Rio De Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 17ºC and 27ºC.
More about Rio De Janeiro
Once you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport to Rio De Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Rio De Janeiro:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are must-visits when exploring Rio De Janeiro.
Explore more of Brazil
You've seen Rio De Janeiro, now it's time to explore other parts of Brazil. Travel about 354 kilometres west to Sao Paulo to tick off its leading sights. From Sao Paulo Museum of Art to Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Belo Horizonte is another standout destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. No trip is complete without seeing Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.