Airport Name
Galeao-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (Rio de Janeiro)
Airport Location
The airport is located 13 miles north of Rio de Janeiro.
Terminals
2
IATA Code
GIG
Telephone
(0)21 3398 4526 or 2155
Airport Overview
Rio de Janeiro-Galeao International Airport, better known as Galeao International Airport (GIG), 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 13 miles (20km) from central Rio de Janeiro, the airport is a favorite gateway for travelers 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 annually, though 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.
Terminal Transfer
You can easily get from one terminal to the other via moving walkways or travelators.
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 center 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.
Car Parking
There is a multi-level car park with both long- and short-term rates across from the terminals.
Information Desks
There is an information desk located in each terminal.
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.
Shopping: There are numerous shops at Galeao – you can buy everything from jewelry, perfume, shoes, clothes and beachwear to flowers, stationary, sports equipment, toys and hand-made souvenirs. There are several duty-free shops selling alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics and other products.
Food and drink: The airport has food courts with a range of fast-food and sit-down dining options, and snack shops in the departures lounges.
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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