The cost of a taxi ride from the Rio de Janeiro International Airport Galeao/Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Barra da Tijuca is approximately R$ 70 (US$35; €28) one-way, and the cab ride time is estimated in 30 to 60 minutes depending on time of the day and day of the week.
Barra da Tijuca is a bit out of the way compared to Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Downtown and even to the Rio de Janeiro international airport (GIG) or to Santos Dumont airport (SDU).
The most popular hotels in Barra da Tijuca District are Sheraton Barra and Windsor Barra, both recently built and facing Barra da Tijuca Beach. The location and views are excellent beach-wise, but you will almost always need a cab as the area around these two hotels are rather residential.
Usually tourists (mostly business travelers) who stay in Barra da Tijuca choose to do so due to its closeness to Rio Centro, the largest event and exhibit pavilion complex in Rio de Janeiro. Or, because they will attend an event at Windsor Barra Hotel, which is famous for its facilities for conferences and congresses.
If you stay in Barra da Tijuca and have appointments in Barra da Tijuca, then you won’t spend much in taxis or in traffic. However, if you want to go from Barra da Tijuca to Downtown expect to pay approximately R$ 50 (US$20; €25). The fare to Corcovado Train Station or to Sugar Loaf ticket office will cost approximately the same.
The problem with Barra da Tijuca is not so much the cost of taxis to other districts and neighborhoods but rather the time spent on traffic, especially during rush hours on weekdays (7 a.m – 12 noon and 3:30 – 8:30 p.m.).
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