HOW TO GO FROM SANTOS DUMONT AIRPORT TO COPACABANA
In this article, we will highlight the main ways to get from Santos Dumont Airport to Copacabana, showing its advantages and disadvantages, so you can make the best decision if you arrive in Rio here.
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Santos Dumont, unlike Galeão, is located in central Rio de Janeiro. This way, it is easier to get from the airport to the South Zone of the city, where Copacabana is located. However, not many flights land at this airport. Most are domestic flights or flights from our South American neighbors. So if you have the option of coming here and staying in the South Zone, don’t think twice.
There are the following ways to get to Copacabana from Santos Dumont:
VLT AND SUBWAY:
The light rail vehicle, better known as the VLT, is the city’s latest public transport. Inaugurated in 2016 for the Olympic Games, today it integrates Santos Dumont Airport to Novo Rio Bus Station, passing through the center of Rio. The airport terminal station is just outside the Arrivals Hall (turn left and follow the signaling) running daily from 6 am until midnight. To get to Copacabana with him, you will have to make a connection with the Metro, which takes place at Cinelândia station (same name for both modes), just two stops after leaving the airport, in an average journey of seven minutes. For this route, it will be necessary to purchase the single carioca ticket, which can be purchased at the already loaded station and used on both the VLT and the subway.
BENEFITS:
Without a doubt this is the cheapest way to make the route, because you will pay the two tickets totaling R $ 7,90 (VLT R $ 3,80 + Metro R $ 4,10). It is recommended for travelers with little luggage, who are single or couple.
DISADVANTAGES:
Do not take this route, especially with luggage, on business days between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, when people are returning from work and public transport is overcrowded.
EXECUTIVE BUS:
Santos Dumont Airport has regular executive bus lines that connect Galeão International Airport and also the South Zone, among other points of the city. To the south, the bus costs R $ 16, has air conditioning and luggage rack, leaving every 30 minutes. They are operated by Royal Road.
BENEFITS:
It is also a cheaper option than cars and more comfortable than going by VLT and Metro, for those who have several bags.
DISADVANTAGES:
It can be one of the longest ways to go, since the bus is slower and makes several stops.
UBER:
The Uber app has a large fleet of cars in the city of Rio, both in Black (executive) and X (economy). The company has a space at Santos Dumont airport to assist its customers as they wait for the car with free Wi-Fi, sockets and drinks. This kiosk is located at Shopping Bossa Nova, just outside the check-in area.
BENEFITS:
The basic fare is cheaper than the regular taxi and payment can be made by credit card. The trip to Copacabana costs between R $ 20 to R $ 35 from Uber Black and between R $ 15 to R $ 20 from UberX. If you want to simulate the approximate cost, you can go to the Uber website.
DISADVANTAGES:
The fare may increase due to the dynamic mode as several passengers arrive at the airport.
TAXI:
There are two different taxi ranks at the airport door, the common taxis (yellow) and the special taxis (blue). Both have rates at the airport door, always write down the price estimate and the driver data in case you forget something in the car or need to make a complaint, especially if the price of the race is quite different from the estimated. A typical taxi ride to Copacabana costs between $ 25 to $ 35. The special, is much more expensive, is usually double around $ 60.
BENEFITS:
There are plenty of options available at the airport gate. For specials, you can still pay by credit card.
DISADVANTAGES:
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of rogue taxi drivers in town, so be careful not to get tangled up. Always try to get in the taxi ranks, not accepting approach from strangers.
