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.
To avoid missing your CPT to Rio de Janeiro flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like January, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from CPT to Rio de Janeiro with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
CPT is around 18 kms (11 miles) from central Cape Town. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near CPT. Whether you're catching an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Cape Town International Airport gets top marks for on-time performance. 81% of flights that depart CPT arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Rio de Janeiro
£320 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A return plane ticket starts from £557. These fares can change based on availability and demand.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from CPT to Rio de Janeiro if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird rates.
Finding cheap tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest prices across the month and land a sweet deal.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from CPT to Rio de Janeiro by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 19 kms (12 miles). It'll take you about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 1 hour.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Reserve one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
To get the lowest price, book your ride from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from CPT to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
After your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 10 minutes by car. Central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 5 kms (3 miles) from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
Public transport will get you there in about 20 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to rest your head close to SDU. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your CPT to Rio de Janeiro flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Head to the city centre after your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed. Central Rio de Janeiro is about 27 kms (17 miles) from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 45 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Check in to a hotel near RRJ and go from the plane to your bed in a flash. Whether you're coming in on a late CPT to Rio de Janeiro flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these stays are all about convenience:
Booking a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is always smart. As well as better deals, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
December is the quietest month for flights from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, while January is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Before booking a Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. February is the warmest month in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 36ºC.
July sees average temperatures of between 14ºC and 29ºC. 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
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Rio de Janeiro right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Rio de Janeiro:
Christ the Redeemer and Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer are a couple of top attractions to put on your Rio de Janeiro to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Brazil just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kms (220 miles) west of Rio de Janeiro, a visit to Sao Paulo will keep your itinerary busy. Start with popular sights like Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Belo Horizonte is another essential stop in Brazil and is around 338 kms (210 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. No journey is complete without dropping by Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.