Rio de Janeiro has a large international airport that is served by many world airlines and is well connected to the city by bus and taxi. Getting about the city itself is also quite straightforward, with an efficient metro system providing access to the major areas of the city. Inexpensive local buses and good taxi companies offer alternative options.

Rio Airport (full name, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport) is a major air hub and the gateway to Brazil. It is located about 12 miles to the north of Rio city centre on Governor's Island and comes with two terminals which are joined by travelators. The international airport is served by major international carriers, including: American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and United Airlines, as well as Brazil's national airline, Varig. Rio de Janeiro also has a domestic airport, Santos Dumont Airport, which is much closer to the city centre.

Essential passenger facilities at Galeão Antonio Airport include; banks, bureaux de change and cash machines, as well as left luggage, a 24-hour hospital, a post office, and many other facilities. Terminal 1 offers the majority of the facilities, although Terminal 2 does offer a central commercial area which is loaded with shops and restaurants. There is short- and long-term parking at the airport in both uncovered and covered car parks.

For transportation to the city centre and hotels, the air-conditioned Empresa Real airport shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from 05:20 to 23:00 and takes about 45 minutes to reach the city. In addition, public buses also run every 30 minutes between 06:00 and 21:00, taking passengers to and from the city centre.

Various taxi companies provide faster and private transport from the airport to the city, beaches and hotels. The best and safest taxi firm to use is Radio Taxis, who also happen to be the most expensive. Taxi vouchers can be picked up from the Rio de Janeiro State Tourism Authority in Arrivals.

Rio de Janeiro’s metro system is clean, air-conditioned and fast, and signs are in both Portuguese and English. The metro has two main lines, with Line 1 being the main line serving Copacabana Beach, Downtown, the Saara district, and Tijuca. Line 2 runs out to the west of the city centre and serves the zoo, the Maracanã football stadium, and State University. Both lines meet at Estácio and the metro closes after midnight. Women worried about being harassed in busy carriages will be pleased to learn that the city has allocated pink, women-only cars on the metro system to avoid this problem. Men are forbidden to travel in these carriages.

Travelling around Rio by local bus is the cheapest way to get around the city and it also offers an opportunity to do some free sightseeing on the way. There are air-conditioned and standard buses, with the former sometimes charging higher rates. Buses also operate at night but the journeys are far more daunting by night.

If you are interested in taking a tour of the city, many city taxis will oblige and charge a nominal fee. Four people can fit in most taxis and touring the city this way is the easiest and quickest option. For general city travel, taxis are the best and most convenient way to get around Rio. The main taxi firms are: Central de Taxi, Ouro Taxi, and Yellow Taxi.

Although the congested traffic may make even the thought of driving in Rio daunting, roads are fairly pleasant outside the city and hiring a car can be the best way to visit the hard to reach places, including remote beaches. Bear in mind that road signals in Brazil appear after the junction and not before, as in most countries.