Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
The timezone in Rio De Janeiro is UTC-3. The city is four hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your SFO to Rio De Janeiro flight.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself a bit more breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick off a new city. When browsing for flight tickets from SFO to Rio De Janeiro, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
SFO is about 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near SFO. Whether you have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of the flights that depart from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Rio De Janeiro
Rs97,335 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is Rs204,633. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap flights from SFO to Rio De Janeiro, book early. Airlines typically offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro across every month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
You don't need to keep looking every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SFO to Rio De Janeiro.
Save on your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
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 to the centre on public transport will take you around 1 hour 5 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Reserve one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and find adventure across Rio De Janeiro and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport about four weeks before your flight from SFO to Rio De Janeiro.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is around 2 kilometres from central Rio De Janeiro. Following your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, it'll take you around 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 15 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SDU. Here are a few options where you can check in after your SFO to Rio De Janeiro flight:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Santos Dumont Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare rates and availability from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Head to the city centre after your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro has landed. Central Rio De Janeiro is around 32 kilometres from Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 40 minutes to get to by car.
The journey will take around 1 hour 25 minutes when travelling by public transport.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, find a hotel near RRJ. Settle in at one of these stays after your SFO to Rio De Janeiro flight:
No squeezing into small cabs, no crowded public transport — with a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car, you're in the driver's seat (literally). Check out the range of cars available here at Localiza.
If you're looking for a particular kind of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at finding what you want. Secure your ride from RRJ a few weeks ahead of your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Carefully consider your dates before securing your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. The city comes alive during high season, but rates are often higher and major attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Rio De Janeiro in low season if you prefer a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in Rio De Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 22ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Rio De Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 17ºC and 27ºC.
More about Rio De Janeiro
After booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio De Janeiro:
Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer are a couple of big attractions to put on your Rio De Janeiro to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Copacabana Beach.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio De Janeiro will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Brazil you should also see. About 354 kilometres west of Rio De Janeiro, a trip to Sao Paulo will keep you busy. Start with attractions like Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista.
Belo Horizonte is another sought-after destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. No journey is complete without dropping by Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
