Travelling from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
Organising your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro begins with finding the most convenient airport to start your trip. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main departure points in Washington DC.
Touch down at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG), the chief entry point to Rio De Janeiro.
Rio De Janeiro is one hour ahead of Washington DC and follows the UTC-3 timezone.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flight.
Flying over a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro
To find cheap Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flights, book ahead. Airlines generally offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro.
Finding a cheap flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flights departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
The journey from central Washington DC to DCA takes about 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Break up your Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flight with a stop so you can freshen up or cross a new place off your list. Popular stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and Rio De Janeiro are:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro? Check in to a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 74%.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can reserve a ticket from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro with a stop or two leaving from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). These are some of the most popular stopovers between BWI and Rio De Janeiro:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to arrive by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flight the easiest part of your journey. Book a room at one of these hotels close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to your boarding gate with plenty of time to spare:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights touch down within the expected time frame. At BWI, that figure is 77.13%.
Arriving in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to central Rio De Janeiro takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 5 minutes to get there on public transport.
Book a hotel near GIG if you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Rio De Janeiro's usual tourist stops.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport about four weeks ahead of your Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro flight.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
The centre of Rio De Janeiro is around 2 kilometres from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). After your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 5 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 15 minutes.
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Santos Dumont Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride three weeks before your arrival at SDU can help you lock in a better rate.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is about 23 kilometres from central Rio De Janeiro. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the city centre in a cab or ride-share after your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes using public transport.
Pick up a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car and focus on the journey ahead, not the travel logistics. Whether you're after a mini or an SUV, Localiza will help you find your ideal set of wheels.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro is always a good idea. As well as better prices, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro. July is the most popular month to visit Rio De Janeiro. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in May.
Book a Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro ticket departing in February if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Rio De Janeiro to range from 22ºC to 33ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 17ºC and 27ºC.
More about Rio De Janeiro
Start your Rio De Janeiro trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Rio De Janeiro, check out our selection of hotels including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach are attractions you won't want to skip in Rio De Janeiro.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many cities in Brazil waiting to be explored once you've seen Rio De Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Paulista Avenue.
Belo Horizonte is another well-known destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. No trip is complete without seeing Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
