Airport Transfers to Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
Whether you’re arriving at Galeão International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), we’ll make sure your journey to Barra da Tijuca is relaxed and hassle-free.
With everything arranged in advance, there’s no need to worry about taxis, directions, or delays. Just settle in, enjoy the ride, and take in your first glimpses of Rio as you make your way to one of the city’s most modern and spacious neighbourhoods.
It’s a simple, comfortable way to start your stay.
Flight Monitoring
Meet & greet inside the airport
Prepaid Service
Nothing to pay on arrival
Professional Drivers
Know the quickest & safest routes
Door to Door Service
Straight to your accommodation
Your Transfer to Barra da Tijuca Made Easy
Touch down in Rio and start your journey feeling relaxed and looked after. Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a clear name sign, ready to welcome you and get you on your way – no queues, no confusion, and no last-minute decisions to make.
As you head towards Barra da Tijuca, the city opens up into wide boulevards, ocean lagoons, and the long sweep of the Barra beach. Before long, you’ll be arriving, dropping your bags, and heading out to explore one of Rio’s most relaxed and resort-like neighbourhoods.
Why Travellers Trust Us
- Meet & Greet - A member of our team will meet you inside the airport
- Flight Tracking - We adjust your pickup time if your flight is delayed
- Safe, Friendly Drivers - Local drivers with years of experience
- Private Transfers Only - No shared rides and not waiting
- Comfortable Vehicles - Air-conditioned cars, vans and minibuses
- Since 2007 - Rio's original, trusted airport transfer provider
Travel Time From the Airports
OK, so Rio traffic has a personality of its own. Barra da Tijuca is further from the airports than the South Zone neighbourhoods, and the journey crosses several major routes. Times can vary depending on traffic, weather, events, or whatever surprises Rio decides to throw in that day. Here’s what to expect on average:
GIG → Barra da Tijuca: 60–80 minutes
SDU → Barra da Tijuca: 40–50 minutes
Barra da Tijuca → GIG: ~90 minutes (especially during busy hours)
Barra da Tijuca → SDU: ~45 minutes
Top tip: Always allow around 90 minutes for travel back to the airport. Better to be early with a coffee than late and stressed.
About Barra da Tijuca
Barra da Tijuca is Rio’s most modern and spacious neighbourhood, stretching along an 18 km beach and backed by lagoons, nature reserves, and a thriving commercial district. It has a more open, resort-like feel than the South Zone — wider roads, larger apartments, and a relaxed pace that many travellers find instantly appealing.
The neighbourhood is home to large shopping centres, excellent restaurants, and some of Rio’s best surf beaches. It’s also the base for many corporate visitors and families, with a strong infrastructure and a quieter atmosphere than Copacabana or Ipanema.
Whether you’re here for the beach, for business, or simply looking for a more laid-back Rio experience, Barra da Tijuca is a great place to base yourself.
Our Vehicles
Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or arriving with a group big enough to start your own Carnival bloco, we’re ready for you.
From mid-size to truly spacious, our fleet covers it all. Explore the full fleet and find the right fit for your arrival in Rio.
Medium Car
Up to 3 passengers and luggage
Small Van
Up to 12 passengers and luggage
Large Van
Up to 15 passengers and luggage
Small Bus
Up to 22 passengers and luggage
Large Bus
Up to 48 passengers and luggage
FAQs
When you’ve completed your online booking you will receive an email confirming your transfer details, including date and time, as well as information on how to meet your driver and our local phone number in Rio de Janeiro
No problem. We’ll monitor your flight to ensure your driver is waiting, even if your flight is delayed.
If you miss your flight, you can email or whatsapp us to advise of your new arrival flight information, and we’ll do our best to ensure your driver is waiting for you when you arrive on your new flight.
Your driver will be waiting for you inside the public arrivals area of the airport, immediately after you exit customs. He will be holding a sign with your name printed on it.
Yes, absolutely. We can provide transfers to and from most locations within Rio de Janeiro.
Ok, so this is an interesting question. Traffic in Rio can be horrific, depending on the day of the week, time of day, weather conditions, security issues etc. Generally, it will take approximately 60–80 minutes to travel from Galeão International Airport to Barra da Tijuca. Journey times depend on traffic, time of day, and events in the city.
As with transfers to your accommodation, return transfer times can depend on many factors. We always advise allowing 90 minutes for the return transfer from Barra da Tijuca back to Galeão International Airport. This allows for unexpected delays. Please keep in mind that we can’t predict if there will be delays, or how long they will be.
No problem. If you can’t find the destination on our booking for, contact us and we’ll be happy to provide a quote.
That’s not a problem. We provide free cancellation, with a full refund, up to 12 hours prior to your scheduled pickup time. Just contact us and let us know.
Other Transfer Options
Looking for transfers to other areas of Rio de Janeiro?
We also offer:
