Travelling from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town. Based in the UTC-3 timezone, Rio De Janeiro is five hours behind Cape Town.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your CPT to Rio De Janeiro flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Taking off during a peak time like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight ticket from CPT to Rio De Janeiro. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
CPT is around 18 kilometres from central Cape Town. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
In search of a hotel near CPT? If you're catching an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
81.65% of flights leaving Cape Town International Airport reach their destination on time. With its strong on-time stats, you're unlikely to face delays when taking off from CPT.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Rio De Janeiro
Rs136,361 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is Rs197,232. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To find cheap flights from CPT to Rio De Janeiro, book as early as possible. Airlines typically offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro throughout the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from CPT to Rio De Janeiro.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 18 kilometres. It'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport takes around 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near GIG:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Rio De Janeiro's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from CPT to Rio De Janeiro.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
The centre of Rio De Janeiro is located around 2 kilometres from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). After your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 5 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 15 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SDU. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your CPT to Rio De Janeiro flight:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or cab lines. Grab a Santos Dumont Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare availability and rates from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at SDU can get you a lower rate.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is around 32 kilometres from the centre of Rio De Janeiro. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the city centre by cab or ride-share once you've hopped off your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 25 minutes if you use public transport.
Stay at a hotel near RRJ and get from baggage claim to bedtime in a flash. Whether you're coming in on a late CPT to Rio De Janeiro flight or just want a stress-free arrival, these stays offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
No squeezing into small cabs, no navigating public transport — with a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car, you're in the driver's seat (literally). Explore the range of cars available here at Localiza.
If you prefer a particular make or model, booking early increases your chances of snagging what you want. Reserve your ride from RRJ at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. The city comes alive in peak season, but rates are often higher and major attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Rio De Janeiro in the off-season if you want a quieter vibe.
Before booking a Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. February is the warmest month in Rio De Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 22ºC to 33ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 17ºC and 27ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from CPT to Rio De Janeiro around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Rio De Janeiro
Once you've booked your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Rio De Janeiro:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are top sights which should be on every Rio De Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be explored once you've seen Rio De Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, top sights here include Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista.
If you're interested in discovering another major destination in Brazil, head for Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro are highlights.
