Car Rental at Porto Alegre Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre is one of the largest cities in southern Brazil, a distinct region known for its gaucho culture and strong European influence. Home to a number of notable landmarks, Porto Alegre also offers access to the region’s nature. These are five of the main attractions in and around the city:

• Museums. Although primarily an industrial hub, Porto Alegre also has plenty of interesting museums and other cultural institutions to explore. The highlight among them is the Iberê Camargo Foundation, a contemporary art museum that’s best known for its futuristic architecture. Other interesting places to visit include the Museum of Science and Technology, the Júlio de Castilhos and Joaquim José Felizardo Museums which are two interesting places to learn about the region’s history, and the scenic Mário Quintana Culture House named after the Brazilian writer who hailed from the city.
• Monumento aos Açorianos. One of the most interesting monuments in Brazil, the Monument to the Azoreans is dedicated to the first sixty Portuguese families who arrived in Porto Alegre from the Atlantic archipelago of the Azores in the 17th century. About 24 m (79 feet) high and 17 m (56 feet) long, the brown steel structure resembles a caravel boat made up of human bodies. The large, pyramid-shaped building that provides the background to the monument is the Rio Grande do Sul state’s administrative center.
• Aparados da Serra National Park. One of the most beautiful protected areas in southern Brazil, Aparados da Serra is a hotbed of diverse flora and fauna. Made up of the moist forests characteristic of the region, as well as grasslands and the stunning Itaimbezinho canyon, it is home to local animal species like the red-spectacled parrot, maned wolf, and neotropical otter. The territory of the national park is fairly small, but it is bordered by Serra Geral National Park, another notable protected area. The trip to Aparados da Serra takes a full three-hour drive north of Porto Alegre, so if you have the time, it’s best to make it a 2 or 3-day trip (there are a number of lodging options in the area).
• Metropolitan Cathedral of Porto Alegre. It took more than 50 years of work before it was finished in 1972, but the long wait was worth it, as Porto Alegre’s main cathedral is a sight to behold. A prime example of Baroque architecture, the church is especially known for its stunning 65 m (213 feet) nave. Interestingly, the architect of the cathedral remains unknown to this day.
• Iberê Camargo Foundation. Notable not just for its contemporary art collection which, according to some, ranks among the best in all of Brazil, the Fundação is also instantly recognizable thanks to its futuristic, purpose-created building that was imagined by the Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza. Free to enter, the museum is about a 15 minute drive south of the city’s historical center.

Top international routes

• São Paulo
• Rio de Janeiro
• Curitiba
• Brasilia
• Recife
• Belo Horizonte
• Panama City
• Buenos Aires

Main airlines

Azul Brazilian Airlines, Gol Airlines, LATAM Brasil, Avianca Brazil, Amaszonas Paraguay, and TAP Air Portugal

Terminals

The two terminals, T1 and T2, are connected by a free shuttle bus.

Location

Porto Alegre Airport is about 9 km (5.6 mi) northeast of Porto Alegre. Motorway BR-116, Av. Sertório, and Av. da Legalidade e da Democracia are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $17 per day
• Large cars - from $19 per day
• SUVs - from $34 per day
• Medium cars - from $18 per day
• Premium cars - from $76 per day
• Vans - from $52 per day

Car rental desks

There are car rental desks in both terminals. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find shops in both terminals, including duty-free outlets. There are coffee shops, snack bars, and restaurants, some serving local Brazilian food, in the international area of T1 and on the first level of T2. You’ll also find ATMs, two currency exchanges, three hotels right next to the airport, a first aid station, a pharmacy, a massage salon, a beauty salon, luggage wrapping services, two lost and found offices, a post office, and an interfaith prayer room. 24/7 luggage storage is located on the first floor of T1. Porto Alegre Airport is equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. Special assistance is also available, but make sure to get in touch with your airline in advance if you’d like this service.

Nearest gas station

Com de Comb Aeroporto gas station is located at Rua Edu Chaves, 120 - São João. It can be reached in about nine minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near the airport and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Curitiba (735 km / 457 mi). Known as one of the best places to live in Brazil, the capital of Paraná state is a classy, sophisticated place. Travelers love the unique Curitiba Memorial, large public gardens, and many art spaces.
• Rio de Janeiro (1,569 km / 975 mi). It’s a mighty long trip to the largest city of Brazil - best done in three or even four days - but the destination is definitely worth the effort. World-famous for its carnival and beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana, Rio is a city like no other.
• São Paulo (1143 km / 720 mi). Many people only see Sao Paulo as a place of industry, business, and commerce, but Brazil’s largest city has so much more to it than just that. If you give this megalopolis a chance, you’ll be rewarded with classy architecture, active cultural life, and delicious, varied cuisine.
• Asuncion (1,086 km / 675 mi). Even to seasoned travelers, the land-locked nation of Paraguay remains something of a mystery. Those who do venture to its capital, Asuncion, find amazing colonial buildings, a unique blend of indigenous and European cultures, and a base to explore the rest of the country. Ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to cross the border.
• Florianopolis (460 km / 286 mi). Located on the Atlantic coast, the capital of Santa Catarina state is something of a hidden gem among Southern Brazilian destinations. The city’s main attractions include the Metropolitan Cathedral, Lake Conceição, and no less than 42 urban beaches.
• Montevideo (800 km / 500 mi). Uruguay might be one of the smallest countries in South America, but its beautiful capital has often been named as the best place to live in the continent. Influenced by the Gaucho culture, as well as the Italian and German roots of many of its inhabitants, it’s an amazing city to explore. As with Asuncion, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to cross the border.