Travelling from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Bucharest. Explore your options leaving from Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) or Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU) when booking your flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro.
Come in for landing at Rio de Janeiro's primary gateway, Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG).
Rio de Janeiro's timezone is UTC-3, which makes Rio de Janeiro five hours behind Bucharest.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro flight.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the best prices across the month and land an awesome deal.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a special offer becomes available.
Find an affordable Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Bucharest
Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Madrid Airport (MAD)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
The journey from central Bucharest to OTP takes around 35 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Need a convenient hotel near Bucharest Otopeni Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:
When it comes to Bucharest Otopeni Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78% of flights complete their journey on time.
Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU)
On public transport, you can travel from central Bucharest to BBU in around 35 minutes. The terminal is roughly 8 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 20 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro? Check in to a hotel near Bucharest Baneasa Airport before your holiday officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Flights from Bucharest Baneasa Airport have a proven record for punctuality, with 82% of them arriving as expected.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour.
Book a hotel close to GIG if you're coming in on a late flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Follow your own route with a Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and experience more of Rio de Janeiro and beyond.
To get the best deal, reserve your ride from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport about four weeks in advance of your Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro flight.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is around 2 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. Following your flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro, it'll take you approximately 10 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
The journey will take roughly 20 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro, settle in at a hotel close to SDU. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting in a long taxi line. Pick up a Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the availability and rates from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride three weeks before your arrival at SDU will save you money.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
March is the quietest month for flights from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro, while December is the most popular. Work out the best time to go to Rio de Janeiro based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 36ºC. Book your Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 14ºC and 29ºC. Search for cheap flights from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Rio de Janeiro
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Rio de Janeiro right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Bucharest to Rio de Janeiro:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Ipanema Beach are top sights which should be on any well-planned Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Rio de Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres to the west, check out popular attractions including Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Belo Horizonte is another standout destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. No journey is complete without a visit to Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.