Travelling from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
The timezone in Rio De Janeiro is UTC-3. The city is one hour ahead of Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your RDU to Rio De Janeiro flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Taking off during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially unlock a cheaper plane ticket from RDU to Rio De Janeiro. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
RDU is about 16 kilometres from central Durham. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near RDU. Whether you're taking an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels put convenience first:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport scores high marks for on-time performance. 80.09% of flights that take off from RDU arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Rio De Janeiro
263 € is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight. A round-trip ticket right now is 413 €. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To pick up cheap flights from RDU to Rio De Janeiro, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when flights are first released.
Landing cheap tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro is easier if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to access the lowest prices across each month and pick up an awesome deal.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from RDU to Rio De Janeiro.
Find an affordable flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports 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 18 kilometres. It'll take you about 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 5 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Book one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Grab a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car and discover Rio De Janeiro and beyond with your own set of wheels. Foco, Localiza and Movida are top outlets to choose from here.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from RDU to Rio De Janeiro.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is about 2 kilometres from the centre of Rio De Janeiro. Once you've disembarked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, it'll take you around 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 15 minutes.
After stepping off your RDU to Rio De Janeiro flight, rest your head at a hotel close to SDU. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Pick up a Santos Dumont Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare availability and rates from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Score the best price by securing your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is about 32 kilometres from the centre of Rio De Janeiro. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the city centre in a cab or ride-share after your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 25 minutes.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, find a hotel near RRJ. Settle in at one of these options after your RDU to Rio De Janeiro flight:
No squeezing into small cabs, no crowded public transport — with a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car, you're in the driver's seat (literally). Check out the types of cars available here at Localiza.
If you're hoping for a specific type of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of snagging what you want. Book your ride from RRJ at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Visit Rio De Janeiro during the high season if you prefer a bustling atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro in the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Book a Raleigh-Durham 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 22ºC (72ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from RDU to Rio De Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 17ºC (63ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF).
More about Rio De Janeiro
Once you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Rio De Janeiro:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are must-visits when exploring Rio De Janeiro.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many cities in Brazil waiting to be discovered after you've seen Rio De Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, its best attractions include Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista.
If you're interested in discovering another side of Brazil, head for Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro are key reasons to visit.
