Travelling from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC: what you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with working out where you'll leave from in Rio De Janeiro. Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC taking off from here.
When jetting into Washington DC, get off the plane at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is another major gateway to this city.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which is one hour behind Rio De Janeiro.
To ensure you board your Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Travelling during a peak month like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC.
Finding a cheap flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a better deal is available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flights.
Flying from Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
GIG is about 13 kilometres from central Rio De Janeiro. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC, these accommodation options will have you nice and close to your departure gate:
79.57% of flights taking off from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The distance from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC is approximately 6 kilometres. It'll take you about 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC. Book one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and explore beyond Washington DC's main sights.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks before your travel date.
The street address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. Once you've hopped off your flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 10 minutes.
There are some great places to lay your head close to IAD. Tuck yourself in after your Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt.
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from IAD one week in advance often means more savings and a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Washington Dulles International Airport at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Step off your flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC and head directly to your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. The centre of Washington DC is around 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and usually takes 50 minutes to reach driving.
The journey will take you around 1 hour 30 minutes using public transport.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, head for a hotel close to BWI. Make yourself comfortable at one of these options after your Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC flight:
Take control of the next leg of your trip with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are reliable rental providers.
If you're searching for a specific kind of vehicle, lock in your ride from BWI about two weeks ahead of your flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC. This gives you a higher chance of getting your preferred car, as well as a better price.
Best time to go to Washington DC
May is the quietest month for flights from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC, while February is the most popular. Pick the best time to go to Washington DC based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 33ºC. Book your Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -6ºC and 10ºC. Look for cheap flights from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Washington DC
After booking your flight from Rio De Janeiro to Washington DC, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Washington DC:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. White House Historical Association, The White House and National Mall are essential stops on your Washington DC itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Washington DC has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of United States waiting to be discovered. About 322 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, a visit to New York will keep you on the move. Don't miss top attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
If you're eager to discover another corner of United States, consider Philadelphia, roughly 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art are the start of reasons to visit.