Rio de Janeiro has basically three airports: the international airport (GIG), Santos Dumont (SDU), and Jacarepaguá Airport (SBJR).
Rio de Janeiro International Airport Antônio Carlos Jobim/Galeão (GIG)
This is the main airport in Rio and operates all international flights as well as most of the domestic flights. Most tourists from Europe, USA and other countries land at this airport. Even those travelers who have a Brazilian pass to fly to domestic destinations in Brazil such as Iguassu Falls, Salvador and Manaus are likely to fly in and out of GIG. Most Cariocas (native’s of Rio) who fly domestically land and take off at the international airport.
GiG is located approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Copacabana/Ipanema districts.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Santos Dumont is the airport that operates the Rio-São Paulo shuttle flights. If your international flight lands in São Paulo, and connects to Rio right afterwards, you are more likely to land at GIG, and not at SDU. However, if you land in São Paulo, and a few days later take a round-trip to Rio it is more likely that you will land at Santos Dumont.
SDU is located right next to the business district (Centro — Downtown), and 15 minutes by taxi from Copacabana.
Jacarepaguá Airport (SBRJ)
The Jacarepaguá Airport is a small airport rather far from the rest of Rio (although it is still considered Rio de Janeiro city). It is located in the west of the city, next to Barra da Tijuca, roughly 45 minutes (without traffic) by car from Copacabana. Jacarepaguá Airport operates mainly flights to and from other small airports. Jacarepaguá is the neighborhood where most 2016 Olympics athletes will be based.
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