sng8888

You usually go through customs in GIG if you are on United or other flights flying on wards from overseas via GRU. If you actually change planes/flight numbers you would go through customs in GRU.

Although I wouldn't have any qualms catching either the bus or shuttle to / from the airport during the day, I would be weary if it's your first time in Rio to do it at night. I would suggest at the very least the radio taxi who will take you door to door. Think of it, you will arrive at your hotel well after midnight. Save your money on the return trip to the airport.

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

You will not clear customs until GIG (it appears that you are flying AA). You should be able to clear customs quite quickly at GIG. I have noticied on my recent MIA and JFK flights to GIG that most of the pax have been Brazilians. The buses to/from the airport are very slow and sometimes not very reliable. The cabs are set fares depending upon your destination in Rio (for example Ipanema is from 65 R$ to 80R$).

leishmaniac

Thanks everyone for their input. I'm on one TAM flight JFK to GRU, then separate TAM flight from GRU to GIG. Are US passport holders still herded into a separate customs line like they used to? (I'm Canadian but wife is American)

Curvelo

I have no recent info on GRU, but in GIG last weekend there were only two lines, one for Brazilians and permanent residents, other for visitors. There are signs about a third line for Mercosul citizens, but I have never seen such a line actually in use. Foreign passengers arriving from EZE on an AR flight were being directed to the visitors line.

Update: I assume you mean immigration lines, not the actually customs lines that you go through after clearing immigration and collecting your bags.

SkyTeam777

Are the shuttle bus options safe after dark?

Orlando Vic

Does anyone know what the current rate for this is from GIG to the Sheraton Rio, or should I just contact the hotel?

3544quebec

http://shuttlerio.com.br/home/

15 Reais

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

I did not realize this service existed. Much cheaper than a cab from GIG
($99,00 Reais, $70 on the way to GIG). Is this service reliable. Also, if I'm not staying at one of the hotels listed but staying nearby (in this case close to Ipanema Plaza) can I get off at/picked up at Ipanema Plaza and just walk the few blocks to/from my hotel.

oiRRio

Do you use radio cabs to/from the airport or regular yellow ones? Last couple of trips to GIG have been a couple of R$ either side of R$45 from the midle of Copa depending on traffic. Even allowing for the recent meter adjustment which works out about at about an extra 10% those fares seem high.

On the way from GIG I often use the Real Onibus (R$8) as I usually arrive on Saturdays. Very regular, comfortable and air conditioned and allows me to ease into the holiday after the flight. However during the week it can get bogged down in Centro traffic and take too long.

IAN-UK

I've used the service a couple of times, and the driver was happy to drop me off where I asked on one of the trips in from GIG. That might not be so easy for a pick-up though! It is a good idea to confirm pick-up times on the day.

It's certainly a good deal for single travellers - with exchange rate, "adjustments" and inflation working against value for tourists in Brasil, taxi fares are getting silly. GRU to Jardins last week was an uncomfortable $70+.

oiRRio

Tell me about it, Itaim Bibi to GRU cost me R$120 last month. To fly from SDU to CGH the previous day only cost me R$80. Maybe they need to set up a CGH-GRU shuttle.

jbcarioca

I pay R$45-50 to go from GIG to Alto Jardim Botanico these days. I always use the yellow cabs. I took a taxi from Copacabana (posto 3- near Copacabana palace hotel) to GIG last week which cost me R$40. Sheraton Leblon should not cost more than R$55, and usually much less.

The Shuttle Rio seems like a perfect option for a single traveler or one with budget constraints. On weekends it really does not take much longer either.

3544quebec

I had booked Shuttle Rio yesterday for my trip from the Sheraton Leblon to GIG at 9.45am. The pick-up was delayed and they ended up getting the hotel to pay for a yellow taxi to take me to GIG. Being towards the end of peakhour the traffic was still fairly heavy. The driver put the meter on and I was astounded that jbcarioca's quote was spot on (not because I usually doubt his veracity but because I have been burnt by shonky meters in Rio cabs so often that I now refuse to use cabs there). The meter ticked up to R45 just as we pulled into Terminal 1.
At that price I would be happy to take a cab every time but always go with Real Onibus from the airport and ShuttleRio to the airport as I know that at least I won't be ripped off (well at least no more than the R1 change due from my 10 real note that the bus driver usually can't find when I board - note price of the bus has now risen to R9 : that's Brasilian inflation for you, an 80% increase in 5 years)

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

Yeah, the Brasilian inflation is really getting out of hand. God even the coconuts have gone to $R5. But even $R45 to the airport is good. Last time I paid $R75 for a private car arranged from the hotel but I think I'll try the Shuttle service when I go back in November.

3544quebec

Only R1.50 on the beachfront in Salvador (or R10 for a lovely bunch of 10 )