Travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Rio de Janeiro's main base, Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG), is where countless awesome holidays begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles.
Arrive in Los Angeles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-8, which makes Los Angeles five hours behind Rio de Janeiro.
To ensure you catch your Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
During popular months such as December, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Travelling from central Rio de Janeiro to GIG takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Of the departures from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport, 79% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes about 35 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Go where the road takes you with a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and chase adventure across Los Angeles and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week before your departure date.
LAX is situated at One World Way.
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Once your flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is approximately 27 kilometres from Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to VNY. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get the vehicle you prefer, not just what's left over, by securing your ride from VNY ahead of time. You can also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially when demand is high.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
July is the busiest month for flights from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles. To escape the crowds, visit Los Angeles in March.
Book a Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) on average.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Los Angeles right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl are attractions you won't want to skip in Los Angeles.
Explore more of the United States
Los Angeles will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of the United States waiting to be discovered. About 177 kilometres southeast of Los Angeles, a trip to San Diego will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
Around 499 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles, San Jose is another essential stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.
