Transfer to/from - Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport (SDU)

Santos Dumont Airport enjoys a prime location in downtown Rio de Janeiro, allowing for seamless integration with the city's urban transportation network, particularly the light rail system (VLT) and digital mobility platforms.

Ride-Sharing Apps

Uber and 99 are the most commonly used options for leaving the terminal. Due to the area's traffic configuration, the airport has a designated pickup area to help optimize passenger flow.

Pickup Point: To meet your vehicle, head to Bossa Nova Mall, the shopping center attached to the terminal. The Uber Lounge is located here, offering a more comfortable and secure area while you wait for your driver. It is recommended that you follow the instructions provided by the app, as the pickup location may vary depending on current local regulations.

Light Rail (VLT Carioca)

The VLT (Veículo Leve sobre Trilhos) is a modern light rail system connecting the airport with the financial district, the long-distance bus terminal, and the subway network.

Lines and Connections: Line 1 (Blue) originates at the airport and runs to Rodoviária Novo Rio (the intercity bus terminal). To connect to the subway system (MetrôRio), get off at Cinelândia or Carioca stations, where you can transfer to areas such as Copacabana and Ipanema.

Hours: The service operates daily from 6:00 am to midnight.

Payment and Fares: Cash is not accepted on board. Passengers must purchase and load Jaé or Riocard Mais cards at the self-service machines located at the airport station. The VLT fare is R$ 5.00 (subject to change).

For more details about the route, you can visit the official VLT Carioca website.

Taxis

Taxi services operate on the curbside outside the arrivals level and are divided into two main categories for greater traveler safety:

Special Taxis (Radio Taxi): These are blue, red, or white vehicles that operate with fixed fares based on zones. They can be booked at the cooperative counters (such as Cootramo, Transcoopass, or Transcootur) located in the arrivals hall, where the fare is paid in advance.

Regular Taxis (Amarelinhos): These are the characteristic yellow vehicles that operate with a taximeter. It is recommended to make sure the driver starts the meter at the beginning of the trip. "Bandeira 1" applies during regular daytime hours, while "Bandeira 2" applies at night (9:00 pm to 6:00 am), on Sundays, and on public holidays.

Accessible Taxis: Adapted vehicles are available for passengers with reduced mobility, primarily operated by the Cooptáxi cooperative. This service can be requested directly at the customer service counters in the terminal.

Hours: Taxi service is guaranteed throughout flight operating hours, from 6:00 am until the last evening arrival (approximately 11:00 pm).

For additional information, visit the official Infraero portal.