Car Rental at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont

Airport travel guide

Santos Dumont Airport is the closest airport to downtown Rio de Janeiro and, therefore, the most convenient airport in the city for travelers. The airport only has domestic flights, though. The larger Galeao International Airport, in the northern part of the city, hosts all of the city’s international flights in addition to many domestic flights. This is due in part to restrictions that cap the number of takeoffs or landings per hour at Santos Dumont.

If you are flying from one of the main Brazilian cities, Santos Dumont is the perfect destination. Rental cars are readily available and are convenient for reaching gorgeous beach destinations near the city. 

The busiest route in Brazil is the route from Santos Dumont to São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport. 

Top international routes

• Sao Paulo
• Brasilia
• Belo Horizonte

Main airlines

The largest airlines serving Santos Dumont are Azul Brazilian Airlines, Gol Airlines, and LATAM Brazil all flying to larger domestic destinations.

Terminals

There are two terminals at the airport, one for arrivals and one for departures. The departures terminal is a new terminal built for the 2007 Pan American Games.

Location

Santos Dumont is located next to downtown Rio on a small peninsula jutting out into Guanabara Bay. Aside from being able to reach downtown in a matter of minutes, travelers can also reach the rest of the city very easily. For example, Ipanema is only 12 miles away, a drive that takes as little as 20 minutes.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $15 per day
• Large cars - from $18 per day
• SUVs - from $21 per day
• Premium cars - from $107 per day
• Vans - from $53 per day
• Medium cars - from $17 per day

Car rental desks

Movida and Avis have desks in the arrivals terminal of the airport. Alamo is located in the building next to the airport.

Services and facilities

Santos Dumont Airport has all of the services and facilities one would expect of a major domestic airport.

If you have an early morning departure or arrive late, there are a few hotels close to the airport that are convenient. The Prodigy Hotel is located on the airport’s grounds just next to the passenger terminals. An ibis and Novotel, both with lower rates than the Prodigy Hotel, are located about 1km away from the airport. They reportedly offer a shuttle from the airport but require a payment for a ride to the airport. Of course, they are close enough that guests can actually just walk if they would like to.

The airport has one lounge, an Advantage lounge, which is available to domestic passengers. The airport also has ATMs, a currency exchange office, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Once past security, there are various restaurants and cafes.

While there is a currency exchange office at the airport, it is likely to have worse rates than what you can find in the city. It is advisable to either take out money from an ATM (being careful of any commissions charged) or to exchange as little as possible and exchange more money once you are in the city. Though using your credit or debit card to pay for things will likely give you the best rate possible, you will likely need cash in Brazil. Many smaller shops and restaurants don’t accept cards.

Nearest gas station

The nearest gas station to Santos Dumont Airport is a Petrobras station near Rua Jardel Jercolis. To reach it, exit from the main road just before the exit to the airport. Navigate through the crowd of parked cars to the station. After you fill up exit on the same road you entered in the direction of the airport. You will rejoin the road to the airport.

If traveling from the north, exit towards the airport and make a small circle to reach the station. Note that the prices may be higher due to the station's location. It may be beneficial to fill up earlier and just top of the tank immediately before returning the car.

Popular one-way rentals

• Sao Paulo
• Brasilia