Help needed for flight BA->Rio
Jan 13, 2015, 9:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Help needed for flight BA->Rio
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could lend some insight as to the best way to book a flight from Buenos Aires to Rio. My fiancee and I are traveling in March to South America and have booked award flights into EZE and out of GIG, with 12 days in between. We were looking to travel around Friday, 3/13/15, but the flights seem to be really expensive. I've read some on ways to book cheaper with a citizen's number, but I'm concerned that something will go wrong with that. Can anyone help me with some insight?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 13, 2015, 5:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
If you have 12 days, I suggest using 2-3 of them at the falls. Fly from Buenos Aires to IGR in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, explore the falls and park, and fly from IGU in Foz do Iguacu, Brasil to Rio (on TAM or GOL).
Note: The closer the departure date, the higher the fares, for the Brazilian airlines.
Note: The closer the departure date, the higher the fares, for the Brazilian airlines.
Jan 14, 2015, 6:51 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
One way fares are pretty expensive and the cheapest ones tend to be at awful times or indirect. You won't qualify for resident fares and anyway they are only for domestic travel.
Using miles is the way to do it if you have any.
Using miles is the way to do it if you have any.
Jan 16, 2015, 10:21 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
I second the other posters' advice. You can book on TAM if you have Oneworld miles, or Aerolineas and Gol if you have SkyTeam.
VidaNaPraia's suggestion is especially interesting since by crossing overland into Brazil, you will avoid Argentina's hefty international departure tax (around U$100). Currently a one way IGU-GIG flight on TAM for your dates is around R$ 286 (U$110).
VidaNaPraia's suggestion is especially interesting since by crossing overland into Brazil, you will avoid Argentina's hefty international departure tax (around U$100). Currently a one way IGU-GIG flight on TAM for your dates is around R$ 286 (U$110).
Jan 16, 2015, 12:16 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
This forum is the best. Thanks for the suggestions on both ways. I'll look into miles (I have both OW and *A miles), but I like the idea of going to Puerto Iguazu. I'm assuming its easy to get around there? And easy to get to both airports?
Jan 18, 2015, 3:52 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
Yes, fairly easy to get around. There is a well-organized public transport system on both sides, which connect. There are also taxis, or remises, (cheap in Argentina, but expensive in Brazil) which you can pre-book. IMHO you get much better value for accommodation (and food) on the Argentine side of the border. Check out Jazy, I stayed there a few times and it's very good value, chilled, well located and has great staff. Alternatively, you can stay at the Sheraton which is inside the nat'l park. Two full days is a good amount of time to spend there...