Quick Facts
GRU · GIG · SSA
Main airports
9-12 hours
Avg. flight from USA
LATAM, United, TAP
Top airlines
90+
Visa-free countries
Choose Your Gateway Airport
Brazil's three main international hubs are Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and Salvador (SSA). The right one depends entirely on where you're headed.
GRU
Sao Paulo
Largest hub. Best selection of international routes. Gateway for Sao Paulo, Amazon, and southern Brazil.
GIG
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's main international airport. Ideal for beaches, Christ the Redeemer, and the south zone.
SSA
Salvador, Bahia
Best option for northeastern Brazil. Fewer direct routes but saves a connection if Salvador is your destination.
GRU (Guarulhos International) in Sao Paulo handles the most international traffic and offers the widest range of flights from abroad. Fly here if you're visiting Sao Paulo itself, heading to the Amazon, or exploring central and southern Brazil.
GIG (Galeao) in Rio de Janeiro handles most international arrivals into Rio. Choose it if the beaches and the south zone are your focus. Once you've sorted your Rio de Janeiro trip, GIG makes sense.
SSA (Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes International) in Salvador is your best option for northeastern Brazil. If Salvador is your main destination, flying straight in saves a connection through Sao Paulo.
Photo: Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), Sao Paulo — add image here
Airlines Flying to Brazil from Abroad
Your options depend on where you're flying from. Most international flights come through major hubs in North America and Europe.
From North America
LATAM dominates with flights from Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. American Airlines partners with LATAM through Miami. United flies direct from Newark to Sao Paulo and Rio. Delta connects through Atlanta. Azul covers more regional routes.
From the UK
British Airways connects London to Sao Paulo and Rio. TAP Air Portugal offers a one-stop via Lisbon to Sao Paulo, Rio, and Salvador — the most flexible option for reaching Salvador directly.
From Europe
Air France from Paris, Iberia through Madrid, Lufthansa through Frankfurt. TAP through Lisbon remains the most flexible European option for reaching smaller Brazilian cities.
Where to Search for Flights
Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare prices across airlines. Both tools show options by price, duration, and number of stops.
Google Flights works well for flexible dates — enter your month and see daily price trends across the calendar. Skyscanner lets you search from any airport in your country to any Brazilian city, which helps identify the cheapest route combinations.
Book direct with the airline
When to Buy Your Tickets
For long-haul flights from North America or Europe, aim to book 6-8 weeks in advance for reasonable prices. Domestic connections within Brazil are best booked 4-6 weeks ahead.
Carnival and holiday pricing
Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) are consistently cheaper than weekend departures. Flying into Sao Paulo rather than Rio or Salvador typically costs less, even if you plan to travel onward by air.
6M+
International arrivals/year
12
Major international airports
90+
Visa-free nationalities
9-13h
Avg. flight from USA/Europe
Common Connections and Layovers
From the US East Coast and Canada, most Brazil-bound travelers connect through Miami. The connection is usually 2-3 hours and the route is well-traveled, so delays are less common than on thinner routes.
From the US West Coast, connections through Dallas or Miami are most common. Dallas adds time but can keep prices lower for certain carriers.
From the UK and continental Europe, Paris (Air France), Madrid (Iberia), and Lisbon (TAP) are the main hubs. TAP through Lisbon is often the cheapest and most frequent option, and it's particularly good for reaching cities beyond Sao Paulo, like Salvador.
Checked bags and connections
Photo: São Paulo Guarulhos airport international departures hall — wide modern terminal with gates, natural light from skylights, travelers with luggage
What to Expect When You Land
Immigration is straightforward but can be slow during peak hours. Have your passport and return ticket ready. You'll fill out a customs declaration form on the plane before landing. Most tourists receive a 90-day entry stamp automatically.
Customs usually means walking through with your luggage and declaring anything unusual. Electronics and valuables might prompt questions, so have receipts for expensive gear.
Skip the airport currency exchange
Transportation from the airport to the city center ranges from R$30 to R$80 depending on distance and destination. Uber works at major Brazilian airports and is cheaper than most official taxi services.
Arriving in Salvador? Skip the taxi queue.
Fixed-price airport transfer with an English-speaking driver. Door-to-door from SSA to your hotel.
Photo: Salvador airport arrivals area — add image here
Visa Requirements by Country
Most tourists don't need a visa
US citizens don't need a visa as of 2025. You get 90 days on arrival. Bring your passport and a return or onward ticket to show at immigration. Extensions beyond 90 days require applying through official channels before your entry period expires.
If your country isn't listed, check with the Brazilian embassy or consulate before booking anything. Some nationalities do require visas, and you can't apply after arrival. Plan ahead.
You cannot apply for a visa on arrival
Getting Around After You Arrive
Domestic flights in Brazil cover long distances efficiently. Flying from Sao Paulo to Salvador, Recife, or Manaus makes more sense than overland travel. LATAM and Azul both offer good domestic coverage. Book through the same flight search tools or directly on their websites.
For shorter regional distances, buses are reliable and cheap. The northeast and southeast regions have solid intercity bus networks for routes a few hours apart.
Once you're in your destination city, Uber works in all major cities. For more on logistics, local transport, and day-to-day tips, our Brazil travel tips guide covers everything from SIM cards to tipping customs.