Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Rio de Janeiro is two hours ahead of Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located. Rio de Janeiro observes the UTC-3 timezone.
To avoid missing your RDU to Rio de Janeiro flight, leave plenty of 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 travel rule.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months like June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper plane ticket from RDU to Rio de Janeiro. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
The journey from central Durham to RDU takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to RDU:
Of all flights departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 78% land on schedule at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Rio de Janeiro
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight is R 4,447. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 10,238. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from RDU to Rio de Janeiro, book as early as possible. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
There's no need to check back constantly to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an even better deal on cheap flights from RDU to Rio de Janeiro.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to the centre of Rio de Janeiro takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Check in to one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
To get the best deal, book your ride from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from RDU to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
After your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 10 minutes by car. Central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 5 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
You can expect the journey to take about 20 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near SDU. Here are a few options where you can check in after your RDU to Rio de Janeiro flight:
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from SDU three weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Head to the city centre after your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed. Central Rio de Janeiro is around 27 kilometres from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 45 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
If you go by public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Find a hotel near RRJ and go from the plane to your bed in a flash. Whether you're arriving on a late RDU to Rio de Janeiro flight or just want to keep your travel plans simple, these accommodation options are all about convenience:
Booking at least a few weeks in advance of your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is a smart way to go. Along with better deals, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the busiest month to visit Rio de Janeiro. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in December.
When booking your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. February is the warmest month in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from RDU to Rio de Janeiro in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. 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. As soon as you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. 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 has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Brazil you'll want to see. About 354 kilometres west of Rio de Janeiro, a trip to Sao Paulo will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another essential stop in Brazil. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.
