|
- About Rio de Janeiro
- Arriving Rio
- Vistor Information
- Rio's Neighborhoods at a Glance
- Getting Around Rio
- Fast Facts: Rio de Janeiro
ARRIVING
BY PLANE
Most major airlines fly to Rio de Janeiro , sometimes with a stop or connection in Sao Paulo . Carriers departing from the U.S. and Canada include United Airlines (Tel: 0800/162-323 or 021/2545-6575), American Airlines (Tel: 0300/789-7778), Delta Airlines Tel: 0800/221-121) and Continental Airlines (Tel: 0800/554-777 or 021/2531-1142). From Canada , Air Canada (Tel: 021/2220-5343) and its part ner Varig (Tel: 0300/788-7000 or 021/3814-5960) provide daily flights. European carriers include Air France (Tel: 021/3212-1800), Lufthansa (Tel: 021/3687-5000), and British Airways/Qantas (Tel: 0300/789-6140). In addition to Varig, the Brazilian airlines Vasp (Tel:0300/789-1010) and TAM (Tel: 0300/123-1000) also offer regular service from within South America , North America , and Europe .
Rio de Janeiro 's Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport (Tel: 0800/999-099 or 021/ 3398-5050) is where all international flights and many national flights arrive. Located 20km (12 miles) from downtown, this airport was recently renamed after the legendary bossa nova composer who wrote "The Girl from Ipanema," but most locals still refer to it as Galeao Airport . A second terminal, Terminal 2, has just been inaugurated for use by Varig and its Star Alliance partners. It's connected to Terminal 1 by a walkway.
You will find the Banco do Brazil office and ATMs on the third floor in Terminal 1. These ATMs are compatible with the Visa/PLUS system. To exchange money you can use the Banco do Brasil, open daily from Sam to l Opm, or the American Express office, located in the arrival hall of Terminal 2, open daily from 6:30am to 10pm .
There are several types of taxis at the airport. The most comfortable ones are the radio taxis, usually with air-conditioning, that allow you to prepay the fee to your destination. That way it doesn't matter whether the driver takes the long route or you get stuck in traffic. They are usually a little bit more expensive but give you peace of mind. Buy prepaid vouchers at the Transcoopass desk in the arrival hall (Tel: 021/2560-4888; all major credit cards accepted). Rates vary from R$40 to R$55 (US$13-US$18) to Centro and Flamengo, and R$58 to R$65 (US$19-US$21) to the beach hotels of Copacabana and Ipanema. Regu lar taxis can be hailed from outside the terminal. Meters start at R$2.60 (US85¢), and a ride to Copacabana should cost about R$45 (US$15) in aver age traffic conditions, less in light traffic, much more if there's a traffic jam.
Realtur/ReiturTurismo (Tel: 0800/240-850 or 021/2560-7041) runs an air port bus service to the major tourist areas along the beaches of Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra da Tijuca. From 5:30am to l lpm a bus departs every 30 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour to make the full trip from the airport to Barra, costing R$6 (US$2) per person. Please note that it only stops along the beach avenue. Please check with your hotel to see if it is located within walking distance of the bus stop and whether it is advis able to do so.
SANTOS DUMONT AIRPORT Rio 's second airport, Santos Dumont , Pra~a Senador Salgado Filho (Tel: 0800/244-646 or 021/3814-7070), is located downtown. Surrounded on three sides by the Baia de Guanabara and a hop and a skip from the Sugarloaf Mountain and the Flamengo and Botafogo beaches, this small and scenic airport is used by the TAM, Gol, Vasp, and Varig Rio-Sao Paulo shuttles, as well as by flights to Brasilia , Belo Horizonte , Sal vador , and other national destinations. The airport is within walking distance of downtown, but do not attempt this with your luggage, as it involves crossing a number of major streets with hectic traffic, both car and pedestrian. The Real tur bus from the international airport picks up travelers on its way to Barra as well as on its way to the airport (see previous paragraph). From Santos Dumont to Copacabana takes approximately 30 minutes. Regular taxis are available in front of the airport; a ride to Ipanema will cost about R$25 (US$8.25), or a pre paid voucher can be purchased at the taxi counter in the arrivals hall. A variety of bank machines, including a Banco do Brasil and HSBC ATM, are located at the center entrance of the airport.
BY BUS
All long-distance buses arrive at the Rodoviaria Novo Rio, Av. Francisco Bicalho 1, Santo Cristo (t 021/2291-5151; www.novorio.com.br ), just 5 min utes from downtown in the old port section of the city. The most convenient way to get from there to your destination in Rio is by taxi. Despite its closeness to downtown, it's not a good idea to walk with all your belongings. Prepaid taxi vouchers are available at the booth next to the taxi stand. A ride from the bus station to Ipanema will cost about R$28 (US$9.25) prepaid.
BY CRUISE SHIP
Arrivals by water will dock in the cruise-ship terminal almost opposite the Praqa From there, the entire downtown is within walking distance, and public i r,msit is close by. Please note that the area around Pra~a Maua , a business dis I rict during the day, turns into a red-light district in the evenings.
|
|