Brazil - GIG-Ipanema

Dear Brazil Experts

We arriving in the evening to GIG and are looking to see what taxi we should book to our hotel in Ipanema. I came across the link below but I am not sure which one is the best and how much it costs?Anybody have some recommendation?

http://www.aeroportogaleao.net/en/taxi-companies-galeao-rio-de-janeiro-airport

Thanks for your help in advance :)

Been asked several times here so you may want to do a search. Basically there are two choices:

1) fixed price, pre-paid "radio taxis," for which you'll see kiosks as you leave baggage claim and also in the main airport terminal. They cost at least 50% more than regular metered taxis in many cases, but the advantages are that you know the price in advance (no meter) and you can pay by credit card (advantage if you don't have Brazilian Reais yet). I've taken these usually only if I arrive very late at night.

2) regular metered taxis, found right outside the main terminal (don't use the gypsy cabs lurking up the road). You do need to be sure thedriver starts the meter and it helps to have some idea of the route so you don't get taken on an extra long route (I've never had that happen but have heard reports). There may be a dispatcher at the taxi stand telling you your approximate fare. It can help to have your location written down for the driver to see (don't expect them to understand English).

You ask only about taxi. There is also a bus (sort of executive bus), but it won't take you to your hotel, so if it's not on the main beach road you may have to then take a taxi.

Been asked several times here so you may want to do a search. Basically there are two choices:

1) fixed price, pre-paid "radio taxis," for which you'll see kiosks as you leave baggage claim and also in the main airport terminal. They cost at least 50% more than regular metered taxis in many cases, but the advantages are that you know the price in advance (no meter) and you can pay by credit card (advantage if you don't have Brazilian Reais yet). I've taken these usually only if I arrive very late at night.

2) regular metered taxis, found right outside the main terminal (don't use the gypsy cabs lurking up the road).

Thanks, took once the lurkin taxi in Mexico City and that was for sure an experience.
I will go for the radio taxi

Cheers once again :)

I always take the "radio taxi."

So, just to complement SoCal's info: when you exit customs, you'll see the companies' stands next to each other. The attendants will be yelling "taxi?!" at you to get your business, so just pick one.

I usually go to the Cootramo (blue car/stand) or Transcoopass (red car/stand) stand. They operate together, so whichever car is available outside you can take, which decreases the likelihood of having to wait, although any wait is never more than a few minutes for all companies.

When you pay with your credit card, they'll give you a ticket/receipt. Just head outside and one the dispatchers from the company you chose will see your receipt and radio for a car. I've seen some foreigners tipping these dispatchers when they put the luggage in the trunk, but I don't think this is expected. Also, there's no need to tip the driver upon arrival.

Last week, I did GIG-Ipanema and after a price increase, it came at ~R$105 or ~$50 IIRC, which is not too bad in my book.

Also consider RioShuttle, IIRC $R10. A couple of notes, first its very difficult to change your arrival/departure time at the last minute. Second like any shuttle service you will likely get a full driven tour of Ipanema and possibly Leblon before you arrive at your destintation in Ipanema.

Thanks again for the further info. Will let everybody know in a few weeks time how it went :)

Also consider RioShuttle, IIRC $R10. A couple of notes, first its very difficult to change your arrival/departure time at the last minute. Second like any shuttle service you will likely get a full driven tour of Ipanema and possibly Leblon before you arrive at your destintation in Ipanema.

Shuttle Rio http://shuttlerio.com.br/home/en/index_php/ worked very well for us. Check their web site to see if your destination is on their route. For our trip from GIG to the Sheraton Rio, the cost was R$ 15.00/pp.

I have a question about transfers from GIG. The hotel where I've booked has advised me to take a taxi operated by AEROTAXI, is this a regular taxi from the taxi stand or a prepaid radio taxi?

I have a question about transfers from GIG. The hotel where I've booked has advised me to take a taxi operated by AEROTAXI, is this a regular taxi from the taxi stand or a prepaid radio taxi?

Aerotaxi is a cooperative of regular yellow taxis, I believe: http://www.coopaerotaxi.com.br/cooperativa.html.
Any of the pre-paid taxis whose booths you will encounter on exit are OK, just twice the price of a regular yellow taxi, (usually about R$90 vs. R$40-50 to Copacabana). IMO, no reason to be scared of taking a regular yellow taxi (especially one with the coop name and phone number painted on the rear fender) or even the Real bus.

How much should I pay for a cab to GIG from the Sheraton Rio Hotel?

Aerotaxi is a cooperative of regular yellow taxis, I believe: http://www.coopaerotaxi.com.br/cooperativa.html.
Any of the pre-paid taxis whose booths you will encounter on exit are OK, just twice the price of a regular yellow taxi, (usually about R$90 vs. R$40-50 to Copacabana). IMO, no reason to be scared of taking a regular yellow taxi (especially one with the coop name and phone number painted on the rear fender) or even the Real bus.

Many thanks for your reply and helpful information.

Aerotaxi is a cooperative of regular yellow taxis, I believe: http://www.coopaerotaxi.com.br/cooperativa.html.
Any of the pre-paid taxis whose booths you will encounter on exit are OK, just twice the price of a regular yellow taxi, (usually about R$90 vs. R$40-50 to Copacabana). IMO, no reason to be scared of taking a regular yellow taxi (especially one with the coop name and phone number painted on the rear fender) or even the Real bus.

Good advice. I've used both Aerotaxi and Aerocoop on many occasions as IME do AA in vdb situations. Prepaid at their counter a few months ago was R$48 for Banda 1 and R$56 for Banda 2 to Copa. Could be more, could be less depending on traffic e.g. Copa-GIG was R$52 a couple of Sundays ago but prepaid probably the way to go for first timers.