# Rio de Janeiro airports: GIG vs SDU — which one to fly into

> Santos Dumont (SDU) is a 10-minute taxi from Copacabana. Galeão (GIG) is 40 minutes when traffic is kind. Here is when to pick each — and how to leave both.

- Published: 2026-07-14
- Updated: 2026-07-22
- Author: Airport Exit
- Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/blog/rio-airports-compared-gig-vs-sdu

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Rio has two airports and picking the right one saves you an hour and about R$100. [Santos Dumont (SDU)](/airports/sdu-rio-santos-dumont) is the downtown domestic airport, five minutes from the historic centre. [Galeão (GIG)](/airports/rio-de-janeiro-galeao-international-airport) is the international hub, 20 km north of the city on the far side of the Guanabara Bay.

## Santos Dumont (SDU)

Domestic flights only (mostly São Paulo shuttles). Taxi to Copacabana is R$60–80 metered, 15–25 min. Uber and 99 both work at the airport's designated ride-hail zone. Bus 2018 runs to Copacabana for R$18.

## Galeão (GIG)

International plus long-haul domestic. Taxi to Zona Sul (Copacabana/Ipanema) is R$130–180 with the yellow airport taxis. Uber and 99 are typically R$90–130 but pickup is at a specific lot — follow signs. The BRT bus (Real Auto Ônibus 2018) runs to Copacabana for R$25.

## Which to pick

If you have a choice for a domestic flight, always take SDU — the taxi savings alone often exceed the fare difference. For international arrivals, you have no choice: it's GIG.

## The Rio arrivals scam list

- "Radio taxi" desks inside arrivals at GIG quote 2–3x the metered rate. Walk outside to the yellow rank.

- Uber pickup at GIG is at a specific covered lot on the departures level, not curbside at arrivals.

- Avoid unmarked cars at either airport, especially at SDU where the taxi mafia is entrenched.

See also: [São Paulo GRU taxi scams](/blog/sao-paulo-gru-airport-taxi-scams).

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