Rio to Búzios: getting here from the airport

The short version

• Fly into Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG), the international airport.
• Allow around 2.5 to 3 hours by road to Búzios, more on Friday evenings and public holidays.
• The easiest option after a long flight is a pre-booked private transfer. We can recommend drivers we trust.

Which Rio airport?

Rio has two airports. Galeão (GIG), officially Tom Jobim International, handles all international flights. It is on Ilha do Governador, close to the Rio–Niterói Bridge, which is the road you take to Búzios. Santos Dumont (SDU) is downtown and only has domestic flights. If you connect inside Brazil and land at SDU, add some time for city traffic.

Option 1: private transfer (our recommendation)

A driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and takes you straight to the door of the house. You don't need to speak Portuguese, deal with taxi queues or navigate after an overnight flight. Most drivers track your flight, so a delay is not a problem.

Book a few days ahead, send your flight number, and tell the driver how many bags you have. Message us on WhatsApp and we will put you in touch with drivers our guests have used.

Option 2: shared shuttle van

Cheaper than a private transfer. Vans leave the airport at set times and drop passengers at several hotels and guesthouses along the way, so the trip takes longer and you may wait at the airport for the next departure.

Option 3: rent a car at GIG

All the main rental companies have desks at Galeão. A car makes sense if you want to explore beaches around Búzios and the Lakes Region during your stay. Before you drive:

• Bring your home driving licence. An International Driving Permit is recommended.
• Use Waze or Google Maps; they are what locals use and show traffic in real time.
• The route crosses the Rio–Niterói Bridge and the Via Lagos highway (RJ-124), both with tolls. Carry some Brazilian reais or ask for a car with an electronic toll tag.
• If you land at night after a long-haul flight, consider spending the first night in Rio or taking a transfer instead.

Both our houses have parking: 2 spaces at Casa Bela 21 and 3 at Casa Ferradura Beach.

Option 4: bus

The budget option. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car from the airport to Rio's main bus station, Rodoviária Novo Rio, then a regular bus to Búzios, about 3 hours. Buy tickets in advance in high season. From Búzios bus station you will need a taxi or Uber to Ferradura. With luggage, this is the least convenient route.

Can I take an Uber from the airport?

You can, but we don't recommend it. It is a long ride, the price changes with demand, and many drivers won't accept a trip that far. A pre-booked transfer usually costs about the same and the price is fixed before you land.

Tips for international visitors

• Get a local SIM or eSIM before leaving the airport. Brazilians use WhatsApp for everything, including talking to us and to your driver.
• Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep some reais for tolls and small purchases.
• Avoid arriving on Friday evening or the day before a public holiday if you can; traffic out of Rio can add hours.
• Tell us your arrival time. Check-in is from 3 pm, and we'll sort out the details with you.
• We speak English and are happy to help plan the trip before you arrive.