Private Airport Transfers in Brazil

For most visitors, Brazil begins in Rio de Janeiro. Long-haul flights land at Rio de Janeiro Galeão, on an island in Guanabara Bay, and the beaches are on the other side of the city: across the North Zone, through the Rebouças Tunnel and out by the lagoon. It is a 23 km drive that takes 35 minutes on a good day and well over an hour at rush hour.

Our Rio airport to Copacabana transfer takes you from arrivals to your hotel door in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon, at one fixed price for the car. We also quote Barra da Tijuca, the cruise terminal, Niterói, and longer trips to Petrópolis, Búzios, Angra dos Reis and Paraty.

Travelling on around South America? Our Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires transfer works the same way.

The UK Foreign Office advises against hailing taxis on the street in Brazil and notes that most airports have authorised taxi booths. It also warns that unregulated drivers sometimes pose as ride-hailing drivers, especially at airports, and suggests waiting in designated pick-up areas and checking that the car and driver match the booking.

A pre-booked transfer avoids that question. You receive your driver's name and phone number before you travel, and they wait for you in arrivals with a sign showing your name. Brazil drives on the right, and tolls on roads such as Rio's Linha Amarela are included in your fixed price.

Rio's high season is the southern summer, December to March, which is also its rainy season: the UK Foreign Office says rain runs from November to March in the south-east, and that heavy downpours can cause flash floods. In the north-east, the rainy season is April to July.

Carnival 2027 runs from 6 to 9 February, and New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach is one of the biggest parties of the year. Both fill hotels months ahead, so book transfers early. June to August is drier and milder in Rio.