Travelling from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Medellin's main base, Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE), is where countless awesome holidays begin. Explore the departure options from here when planning your flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) is the primary point of entry to Rio de Janeiro.
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3, which is two hours ahead of Medellin.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Medellin to Rio de Janeiro flight.
During popular months like December, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro
To find cheap Medellin to Rio de Janeiro flights, book ahead. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro across the entire month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Medellin to Rio de Janeiro flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Medellin
Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE)
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Medellin to Rio de Janeiro flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Bogota Airport (BOG)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE)
The journey from central Medellin to MDE takes about 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Need a handy hotel close to Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
76% of flights that depart Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) is approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro. Stay at one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Follow your own route with a Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and experience more of Rio de Janeiro and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport about four weeks before your departure date.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is about 2 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. Once you've disembarked your flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro, it takes approximately 10 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take about 20 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SDU. Unwind after your Medellin to Rio de Janeiro flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or long taxi lines. Grab 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.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro. December is the busiest month to travel to Rio de Janeiro. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 36ºC. Book your Medellin to Rio de Janeiro ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
July has average temperatures of between 14ºC and 29ºC. Look for cheap flights from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Rio de Janeiro
After booking your flight from Medellin to Rio de Janeiro, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Ipanema Beach are essential stops on your Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
You've visited Rio de Janeiro, now it's time to discover more of Brazil. Travel around 354 kilometres west to Sao Paulo to check off its leading attractions. From Ibirapuera Park to Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in Brazil, consider Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis are the start of reasons to visit.
