Hi guys,

Thinking about flying into Rio mid November, and staying for around 10 days (from say, 11/16-11/27.

Two basic questions:
1. is 10 days enough?

2. And is it best to fly into Santos Dumont, or the International arport (Tom Jobim). Looking prices, the difference is staggering ($400 difference). I know Santos Dumont is a lot closer, but damn...

Thanks guys!

Eric

Ten days is a good length of time, it will allow you to do some day trips or even an overnighter or two from Rio.

Santos Dumont is essentially a domestic airport, presumably you would be flying in from somewhere else in Brazil. I find it hard to believe that there would be a R$400,00 difference let alone a $400 USD difference unless you are looking at two different fare schedules. At any rate there isn't anywhere near that difference in what a cab from either airport would cost. Most tourists stay in Zona Sul and despite the difference in distance, the cost isn't likley to be more than R$20,00 and that's if the traffic is kind.

Thanks Carlos! Yes looking at flights from New York to Rio, from 11/16/11-11/27/11, the cheapest flight into GIG is 937, and the cheapest one into Santo Dumont is 1314. I used travelocity.

brazilforless.com good info

GIG usually cheapest but GRU might save more

plus you could pick up Iguazu Falls down that way

farecompare.com cheapoair.com best fares down usually

aa.com with their AAdvantage card some FREE RT flights

with FF miles from 40000 or so pretty easy to get.

Happy Planning!

The flight you looked at to SDU will land elsewhere, most likely Guarulhos and you transfer to a domestic flight to Rio. Pointless really, better to get a direct flight to Galeão. Even if, for some odd reason, you wanted to fly to GRU and then take a domestic flight, the cost of a flight from Guarulhos to either airport in Rio is usually a fraction of the quoted $400 difference.