Travelling from Recife International Airport (REC) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is 2 hours 50 minutes.
Rio de Janeiro's timezone is UTC-3, which is the same as Recife (the location of Recife International Airport).
The busiest route is from Recife International Airport (REC) to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG). Take your pick of 57 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to get on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from REC to GIG is the 02:55 Azul option. If you prefer to travel later, the final departure is at 22:55 with Gol.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your REC to Rio de Janeiro flight.
During popular months such as January, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
Begin your journey at REC and fly nonstop to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro tickets.
You can choose from a variety of carriers that operate direct flights from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, such as:
Travelling from central Recife to REC takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to REC:
82% of flights leaving Recife International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. Given its dependable on-time performance, you're unlikely to experience delays when taking off from REC.
How to find the cheapest flights from Recife International Airport (REC) to Rio de Janeiro
$162 is currently the best price for a one-way Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A return plane ticket starts at $318. These prices can change based on availability and demand.
To pick up cheap flights from REC to Rio de Janeiro, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
Picking up a cheap flight from REC to Rio de Janeiro is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as a cheaper option becomes available.
Find a cheap flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
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 opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive will take roughly 30 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Check in to one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
For the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from REC to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is roughly 5 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. Once you've hopped off your flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, it'll take you around 10 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 20 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near SDU. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your REC to Rio de Janeiro flight:
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Reserving your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a greater selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Step off your flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro and make your way to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. The centre of Rio de Janeiro is around 27 kilometres from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and usually takes 45 minutes to drive there.
Public transport can take you there in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way to the centre, choose a hotel near RRJ. Make yourself comfy at one of these options after your REC to Rio de Janeiro flight:
Rental agencies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so book your ride from RRJ ahead of your flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the most popular month to visit Rio de Janeiro. If you like a quieter vibe, go in December.
When booking your Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. February is the warmest month in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from REC 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 Recife International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
Christ the Redeemer and Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Rio de Janeiro must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
Explore more of Brazil
You've done Rio de Janeiro, now it's time to explore more of Brazil. Journey around 354 kilometres west to Sao Paulo to tick off its top attractions. From Ibirapuera Park to Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another favourite stop in Brazil. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.
