Travelling from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Mexico City is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro departing from Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX) or Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU).
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) is the primary arrival point in Rio de Janeiro.
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3, which is three hours ahead of Mexico City.
To ensure you board your Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro flights if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro across the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Mexico City
Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro flights leaving from Mexico City Juarez International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Bogota Airport (BOG)
Travelling from central Mexico City to MEX takes around 40 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near Mexico City Juarez International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Mexico City Juarez International Airport maintains a solid on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from MEX land at their destination as scheduled 84% of the time.
Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU)
Think about adding a stop at Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY). It's a major stopover on a Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro flight leaving Felipe Angeles International Airport. Use a longer layover to get out and explore, or take advantage of a short break to grab a bite to eat at the airport.
NLU is around 40 kilometres from central Mexico City. It takes 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, kick back in one of these hotels close to Felipe Angeles International Airport:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Felipe Angeles International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76%.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is approximately 13 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near GIG:
Follow your own route with a Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and find adventure across Rio de Janeiro and beyond.
Get the best deal by booking your ride from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport around four weeks in advance of your trip.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Central Rio de Janeiro is about 2 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Once your flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 10 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 20 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SDU. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport rental car simple. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride three weeks before your arrival at SDU will help you save.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
March is the quietest month for flights from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, while December is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Rio de Janeiro based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. February is the warmest month in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Rio de Janeiro
Once you've booked your flight from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Ipanema Beach are top attractions which should feature on every Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many cities in Brazil waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Rio de Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres to the west, its top attractions include Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another favourite stop in Brazil. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.