Travelling from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3. The city is five hours ahead of Sacramento, where Sacramento International Airport is located.
Allow plenty of time to get on your SMF to Rio de Janeiro flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month like July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper plane ticket from SMF to Rio de Janeiro. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Travelling from central Sacramento to SMF takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Sacramento International Airport gets top marks for on-time performance. 81% of flights that take off from SMF arrive at their destination on time.
The address for SMF is 6900 Airport Boulevard.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Rio de Janeiro
R 5,933 is currently the best price for a one-way Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A return plane ticket starts from R 14,618. These prices may change depending on demand.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from SMF to Rio de Janeiro if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird discounts.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across every month when searching for your Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro ticket.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from SMF to Rio de Janeiro by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Sacramento 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 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes about 1 hour.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near GIG:
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from SMF to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Once your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed, 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).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 20 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to rest your head close to SDU. Kick back and get cosy after your SMF to Rio de Janeiro flight at any of these well-located options:
Score the best price by securing your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Set your sights on the city centre after your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed. Central Rio de Janeiro is about 27 kilometres from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 45 minutes to get to by car.
The journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Stay at a hotel close to RRJ and go from landing to lounging in your room in a flash. Whether you're arriving on a late SMF to Rio de Janeiro flight or just want to keep your travel plans simple, these stays bring comfort closer to you:
Rental providers sometimes offer deals for early bookings, so reserve your ride from RRJ ahead of your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. A little prep today saves cash tomorrow.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
December is the quietest month for flights from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, while January is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to Rio de Janeiro based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Lock in your Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
July sees average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SMF to Rio de Janeiro around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Rio de Janeiro
After booking your flight from Sacramento International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are must-do's during your Rio de Janeiro adventure.
Explore more of Brazil
You've done Rio de Janeiro, now it's time to discover other parts of Brazil. Travel about 354 kilometres west to Sao Paulo to check off its popular sights. From Ibirapuera Park to Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another favourite 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.