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Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (GIG)

Rio de Janeiro Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG) concentrates passenger check-in on Level 2 of Terminal 2 (Islands A–I) and arrivals on Level 0. The BRT Transcarioca (connecting to MetrôRio Line 2 at Vicente de Carvalho) and the Terminal Gentileza express bus link GIG with Rio.

Children are 2 to 11 years old; infants are under 2.

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Updated 23 October 2026

Terminals, check-in islands and connections at RIOgaleão

Rio de Janeiro Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (RIOgaleão) comprises two connected terminal buildings (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) and the South Pier, with passenger check-in concentrated in Terminal 2 on Level 2 (Piso 2) across check-in islands A through I, and domestic and international arrivals located on Level 0 (Piso 0). Electric mobility vehicles help passengers with reduced mobility or long walking distances move along the South Pier and Terminal 1 (TP1).

RIOgaleão's published minimum connection times are 35 minutes between domestic flights, 55 minutes between international flights, 60 minutes from a domestic flight to an international flight, and 90 minutes from an international flight to a domestic flight.

Airlines flying from Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG)

Twenty-four passenger airlines operate at RIOgaleão: Brazilian carriers GOL (checking in at Islands D and E on Level 2 for both domestic and international flights), LATAM (checking in at Island G on Level 2 of Terminal 2, with counters opening three hours before international departures) and Azul, alongside South American carriers Aerolíneas Argentinas, Avianca, Boliviana de Aviación, Flybondi, JetSMART, Paranair and SKY Airline.

North American, European and Middle Eastern airlines serving GIG include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Air Transat, Copa Airlines, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Iberia, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and Emirates.

Getting to and from Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport

Located on Ilha do Governador, RIOgaleão connects to Rio de Janeiro's metro, train and bus networks from the arrivals level:

  • BRT Transcarioca and MetrôRio: two BRT stations serve the airport daily from 04:00 to midnight—Estação Galeão Tom Jobim 1 (Terminal 1) and Estação Galeão Tom Jobim 2 (outside Terminal 2 Arrivals, Door D). Mobi-RIO Transcarioca Parador lines (including line 38 to Terminal Alvorada in Barra da Tijuca and line 42 to Madureira) connect directly with Estação Vicente de Carvalho for MetrôRio Line 2, with Estação Madureira for SuperVia commuter trains, and with Terminal Alvorada for MetrôRio Line 4 (Jardim Oceânico).
  • Special and regional buses: Mobi-RIO operates the direct Galeão x Terminal Gentileza special bus from Terminal 2 Arrivals; Auto Viação 1001 operates routes 760D and 1760D to Charitas in Niterói (from Terminal 1) and direct coaches from Terminal 2 Arrivals to Búzios and Macaé; and regular city buses 328 (to Candelária), 915 (to Bonsucesso), 922 and 925 stop at Terminals 1 and 2.
  • Official taxis, Uber and car rental: on Level 0 (Arrivals) of Terminal 2, official metered taxis are operated by Aerotáxi and Aerocoop, while executive taxis (Transcoopass, Coopertramo, Transcootur and Coopatur) board outside Door B near domestic arrivals. A dedicated Uber pick-up zone is located on the arrivals level (to the left as you exit the arrivals hall), and car rental desks for Localiza, Movida and Unidas sit inside Terminal 2 Arrivals.

Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport with children

RIOgaleão operates a 24-hour Multisensory Room and Sensory Accommodation Room (25 m²) in the restricted domestic departures area, created to help children and passengers on the autism spectrum prepare for the sights, sounds and movement of an aircraft cabin or rest in a quiet, softly lit space with individual armchairs and a dedicated terminal agent.

Families travelling with children who have auditory hypersensitivity or autism can also borrow noise-cancelling earmuffs at the Terminal 2 information desk and return them at collection points placed at every boarding gate. Accessible restrooms are available throughout the terminal, and two 24-hour pharmacies (Drogarias FarMelhor and Interfarma, with airside delivery available from FarMelhor) and 24-hour luggage storage (Malex) operate inside the terminal.

What to check before you go to GIG

For international flights, check-in counters typically open three hours before scheduled departure on Level 2 of Terminal 2; check the terminal screens on arrival to confirm which check-in island (A–I) handles your airline.

If you are connecting from an international arrival onto a domestic flight within Brazil at GIG, allow at least the official 90-minute minimum connection time to clear passport control, collect your bags for customs and re-check for your domestic leg.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is check-in located at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport?

Passenger check-in is on Level 2 (Piso 2) of Terminal 2 across check-in islands A through I (for example, GOL uses Islands D and E and LATAM uses Island G), while arrivals and ground transport sit on Level 0 (Piso 0).

How do I reach the Rio de Janeiro Metro from Galeão Airport?

Board the Mobi-RIO BRT Transcarioca (lines 38 or 42) at Estação Galeão Tom Jobim 2 outside Terminal 2 Arrivals (Door D) and ride to Estação Vicente de Carvalho to transfer directly to MetrôRio Line 2, or ride to Terminal Alvorada in Barra da Tijuca to connect toward MetrôRio Line 4 at Jardim Oceânico.

Where do I catch an official taxi or Uber at RIOgaleão?

On Level 0 (Arrivals) of Terminal 2: official standard taxis (Aerotáxi and Aerocoop) and executive taxis (Transcoopass, Coopertramo, Transcootur and Coopatur, near Door B) have counters and ranks on the arrivals floor, and the dedicated Uber pick-up zone is to the left as you exit the arrivals hall.

Does Rio Galeão Airport have a sensory room and noise-cancelling earmuffs for children?

Yes. A 24-hour Multisensory Room and Sensory Accommodation Room is located in the restricted domestic departures area, and noise-cancelling earmuffs can be borrowed at the Terminal 2 information desk and returned at any boarding gate.

What is the minimum connection time at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport?

RIOgaleão's published minimum connection times are 35 minutes for Domestic-to-Domestic, 55 minutes for International-to-International, 60 minutes for Domestic-to-International and 90 minutes for International-to-Domestic transfers.