Traveling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Based in the UTC-3 timezone, Rio de Janeiro is five hours ahead of San Francisco.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your SFO to Rio de Janeiro flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying over a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your plane ticket from SFO to Rio de Janeiro. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
The journey from central San Francisco to SFO takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a hassle-free start to your trip? Stay near SFO. Whether you have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to San Francisco International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Rio de Janeiro
AED 1,279 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A return ticket right now is AED 2,619. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To find cheap flights from SFO to Rio de Janeiro, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro throughout the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Locking in a cheap flight from SFO to Rio de Janeiro is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 19 kilometers. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the center driving.
Getting there by public transport takes around 1 hour.
Consider staying in a hotel close to GIG if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from SFO to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Central Rio de Janeiro is around 5 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 10 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 20 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to call home for the night near SDU. Unwind and get cozy after your SFO to Rio de Janeiro flight at one of these well-located options:
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride three weeks before your arrival at SDU will help you save.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Hop off your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro and head for your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. Central Rio de Janeiro is around 27 kilometers from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and usually takes 45 minutes to drive there.
Public transport can get you there in around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to travel into the center, choose a hotel near RRJ. Get settled at one of these stays after your SFO to Rio de Janeiro flight:
If you're looking for a specific make or model, booking early gives you a better shot at getting what you want. Secure your ride from RRJ a few weeks ahead of your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the most popular month to visit Rio de Janeiro. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in December.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket with a departure in February if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from SFO to Rio de Janeiro in July if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF) on average.
More about Rio de Janeiro
Start your Rio de Janeiro trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, check out our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are popular attractions which should feature on any well-planned Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Brazil just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometers west of Rio de Janeiro, a visit to Sao Paulo will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Belo Horizonte is another well-known destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro. No trip is complete without seeing Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.