Flights to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's vibrant metropolis, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, iconic landmarks – including the famous Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado Mountain – and its lively cultural scene. Nestled between magnificent mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Rio offers a unique blend of natural beauty, festival spirit and rich history. Here you can relax and embrace the Carioca way of living.
Our cheapest flights to Rio de Janeiro
Say yes to surf, sea and samba
Fly to Rio de Janeiro with British Airways and get to know Brazil’s most famous city.
Start your journey exploring the historic Santa Teresa neighbourhood, known for its charming cobblestone streets, art studios and eclectic shops. Then head down the hill to Lapa, an area with a bustling nightlife scene and the famous Selaron Steps, a colourful mosaic staircase. Visit the Maracana Stadium, a temple for football fans and a great place to experience the country’s love for this sport with a lively atmosphere at game time.
If you’re visiting for the annual Rio Carnival, enjoy the colourful costumes, samba music and parades. To relax, spend a day on the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, where golden sands meet the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the lush Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting. Book your holiday to Rio de Janeiro now.
Flight time
11 hrs 30 mins
Time Zone
GMT -3
Currency
Brazillan real
Rio de Janeiro flight FAQs
A flight from London Heathrow to Galeao International Airport takes just over 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Use our low fare finder to discover the cheapest time to visit Rio de Janeiro. The most popular time to visit is during the city’s summer months, from December to March, especially when Rio Carnival takes place. Book your flights for spring or autumn and you can still make the most of this year-round destination’s attractions and experiences but with fewer crowds.
You can make a trip to Rio de Janeiro fit any budget. Stay in areas like Lapa or Santa Teresa for cheaper accommodation, and to enjoy the neighbourhoods’ atmosphere. Save on meals by dining at local lanchonetes – snack bars – or enjoy a wide selection of street food. Use the public transport system, like the buses and the metro, to navigate the city with ease and without breaking the bank. Explore free attractions like the scenic views from Parque Lage. Additionally, you can visit numerous museums and cultural centres for free.
Once you touch down at Galeao International Airport, you’re around 20 kilometres from downtown Rio. You can travel to the Zona Sul coastal area by shuttle bus, which departs around every 30 minutes from the airport. Yellow city cabs can easily be found outside the airport terminal and can get you into the city in around 30 minutes.
You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to see more of what Brazil has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.
Visit the Cidade Maravilhosa, the Marvellous City, and discover its beaches, mountains and lively nightlife. Explore the Urca neighbourhood, nestled at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain, and discover its tranquil streets lined with colourful houses, quaint cafes and waterfront promenades. The Urca Wall is great for leisurely strolls offering memorable views of Guanabara Bay and the Sugarloaf cable car. To enjoy the great outdoors, hike Pedra do Telegrafo, the famous rock formation in Barra de Guaratiba, for panoramic views and photo opportunities. The summit of Pedra Bonita also offers views over the city, including Tijuca Forest, Rocinha favela and the coastline. Visit Ilha Fiscal, a historic island located in Guanabara Bay, to see its neo-Gothic palace and take a guided tour.
You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.
If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.
Citizens of the UK and Ireland and EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit Brazil. If you hold a passport from a country or territory outside of these areas, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to on our visa information page.
Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome.
Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.
Our cabins
All our cabins offer an excellent – and uniquely British – experience. Choose your perfect way to fly, from economy to First.
Economy
Our World Traveller cabin offers all the touches you need to enjoy your flight at an affordable price.
Premium economy
Discover our World Traveller Plus cabin and treat yourself to a wider seat and more legroom in a separate, quieter cabin.
Business
Work or relax in our Club World cabin and enjoy lounge access, a dedicated check-in area and fully flat beds for a restful sleep.
First
Choose First to enjoy a range of comforts, from fine dining to your own private suite and access to our elegant departure lounges.
Discover more of South America...
Argentina flights
Buenos Aires flights
Cancun flights
Costa Rica flights
Guyana flights
Mexico City flights
Santiago flights
Sao Paulo flights
Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply