Travelling from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3. The city is 14 hours behind Sydney, where Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport is located.
Allow plenty of time to get on your SYD to Rio de Janeiro flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month such as July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from SYD to Rio de Janeiro with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport (SCL)
SYD is around 8 kilometres from central Sydney. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 15 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near SYD:
66% of flights that depart Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Rio de Janeiro
The best price we've seen for a one-way Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight is R 17,119. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 26,892. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from SYD to Rio de Janeiro, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro across the entire month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Picking up a cheap flight from SYD to Rio de Janeiro couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith 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) is around 19 kilometres from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. If you're getting a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
It'll take around 1 hour if you're travelling on public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Book one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Booking your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from SYD to Rio de Janeiro can help you secure the lowest rate.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is around 5 kilometres from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. Following your flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, it'll take you around 10 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
The trip will take roughly 20 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your SYD to Rio de Janeiro flight, kick back at a hotel near SDU. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at SDU can help you lock in a better rate.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Make tracks for the city centre after your flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith 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.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way to the centre, head for a hotel close to RRJ. Make yourself comfortable at one of these options after your SYD to Rio de Janeiro flight:
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is always a good idea. As well as better prices, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
December is the quietest month for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, while January is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Rio de Janeiro based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Lock in your Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SYD to Rio de Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Rio de Janeiro
Start your Rio de Janeiro trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Christ the Redeemer and Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer are just the start of the big attractions to add to your Rio de Janeiro must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Brazil waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres west of Rio de Janeiro, a trip to Sao Paulo will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading sights like Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
If you're interested in discovering another side of Brazil, head for Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis are key highlights.