Flying from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main base, so explore your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro jetting off from here.
Disembark at Rio De Janeiro's chief entry point, Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG).
Rio De Janeiro's timezone is UTC-3, which makes Rio De Janeiro five hours behind Johannesburg.
To ensure you make it on your Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro
To pick up cheap Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro flights, book early. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Located around 23 kilometers from the center of Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your vacation? Stay near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
77.1% of flights leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 13 kilometers. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're traveling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 5 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro. Reserve one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Grab a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car and explore Rio De Janeiro and beyond with your own wheels. Foco, Localiza and Movida are popular providers you can book with here.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport around four weeks ahead of your Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro flight.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
After your flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city center in about 5 minutes by car. Central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 2 kilometers from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
The journey will take approximately 15 minutes on public transport.
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Santos Dumont Airport rental car simple. These trusted providers are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at SDU can help you lock in a better rate.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is around 23 kilometers from central Rio De Janeiro. It'll take you about 40 minutes to reach the city center in a ride-share or cab once you've stepped off your flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Pick up a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car and enjoy traveling in your own private, air-conditioned space. Whether you're searching for a compact or a full-size SUV, Localiza will help you find the right set of wheels.
If you'd like a particular kind of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of getting exactly what you want. Secure your ride from RRJ a few weeks ahead of your flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
July is the busiest month for flights from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro. To avoid the crowds, visit Rio De Janeiro in May.
The warmest month in Rio De Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 17ºC (63ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Rio De Janeiro
Start your Rio De Janeiro trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Rio De Janeiro, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach are leading attractions which should feature on any good Rio De Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio De Janeiro has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Brazil waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometers west of Rio De Janeiro, a visit to Sao Paulo will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Paulista Avenue.
Around 338 kilometers north of Rio De Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another essential stop in Brazil. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.