Car Rental at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont
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Cheapest car rental rates
Economy
Fiat Mobi or similar
$19.89 per day
Compact
VW Gol or similar
$20.58 per day
Intermediate
Fiat Cronos or similar
$30.35 per day
Premium SUV
Volkswagen Taos or similar
$51.48 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Economy Elite
Hyundai HB20 or similar
$120.45 per day
Standard
Volkswagen Virtus or similar
$146.07 per day
Intermediate Elite SUV
Volkswagen T-Cross or similar
$33.11 per day
Special SUV
Jeep Compass or similar
$48.91 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 9:37 PM on 6/12/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel information
Languages
Portuguese
Currency
BRL
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+55
Average car rental price
$59 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 60 km/h or 19 - 37 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 110 km/h or 56 - 68 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.00%
Average gas price
$1.09 per liter or $4.14 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.01 per liter or $3.83 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.16 per liter or $4.39 per gallon
Airport travel guide
Santos Dumont Airport is the closest airport to downtown Rio de Janeiro and, therefore, the most convenient airport in the city for travelers. The airport only has domestic flights, though. The larger Galeao International Airport, in the northern part of the city, hosts all of the city’s international flights in addition to many domestic flights. This is due in part to restrictions that cap the number of takeoffs or landings per hour at Santos Dumont.
If you are flying from one of the main Brazilian cities, Santos Dumont is the perfect destination. Rental cars are readily available and are convenient for reaching gorgeous beach destinations near the city.
The busiest route in Brazil is the route from Santos Dumont to São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport.
Main airlines
The largest airlines serving Santos Dumont are Azul Brazilian Airlines, Gol Airlines, and LATAM Brazil all flying to larger domestic destinations.
Terminals
There are two terminals at the airport, one for arrivals and one for departures. The departures terminal is a new terminal built for the 2007 Pan American Games.
Location
Santos Dumont is located next to downtown Rio on a small peninsula jutting out into Guanabara Bay. Aside from being able to reach downtown in a matter of minutes, travelers can also reach the rest of the city very easily. For example, Ipanema is only 12 miles away, a drive that takes as little as 20 minutes.
Most popular types of rental car
- Large cars - from $28 per day
- Medium cars - from $21 per day
- Vans - from $61 per day
- Small cars - from $20 per day
- SUVs - from $32 per day
Car rental desks
Movida and Avis have desks in the arrivals terminal of the airport. Alamo is located in the building next to the airport.
Services and facilities
Santos Dumont Airport has all of the services and facilities one would expect of a major domestic airport.
If you have an early morning departure or arrive late, there are a few hotels close to the airport that are convenient. The Prodigy Hotel is located on the airport’s grounds just next to the passenger terminals. An ibis and Novotel, both with lower rates than the Prodigy Hotel, are located about 1km away from the airport. They reportedly offer a shuttle from the airport but require a payment for a ride to the airport. Of course, they are close enough that guests can actually just walk if they would like to.
The airport has one lounge, an Advantage lounge, which is available to domestic passengers. The airport also has ATMs, a currency exchange office, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Once past security, there are various restaurants and cafes.
While there is a currency exchange office at the airport, it is likely to have worse rates than what you can find in the city. It is advisable to either take out money from an ATM (being careful of any commissions charged) or to exchange as little as possible and exchange more money once you are in the city. Though using your credit or debit card to pay for things will likely give you the best rate possible, you will likely need cash in Brazil. Many smaller shops and restaurants don’t accept cards.
If you have an early morning departure or arrive late, there are a few hotels close to the airport that are convenient. The Prodigy Hotel is located on the airport’s grounds just next to the passenger terminals. An ibis and Novotel, both with lower rates than the Prodigy Hotel, are located about 1km away from the airport. They reportedly offer a shuttle from the airport but require a payment for a ride to the airport. Of course, they are close enough that guests can actually just walk if they would like to.
The airport has one lounge, an Advantage lounge, which is available to domestic passengers. The airport also has ATMs, a currency exchange office, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Once past security, there are various restaurants and cafes.
While there is a currency exchange office at the airport, it is likely to have worse rates than what you can find in the city. It is advisable to either take out money from an ATM (being careful of any commissions charged) or to exchange as little as possible and exchange more money once you are in the city. Though using your credit or debit card to pay for things will likely give you the best rate possible, you will likely need cash in Brazil. Many smaller shops and restaurants don’t accept cards.
Nearest gas station
The nearest gas station to Santos Dumont Airport is a Petrobras station near Rua Jardel Jercolis. To reach it, exit from the main road just before the exit to the airport. Navigate through the crowd of parked cars to the station. After you fill up exit on the same road you entered in the direction of the airport. You will rejoin the road to the airport.
If traveling from the north, exit towards the airport and make a small circle to reach the station. Note that the prices may be higher due to the station's location. It may be beneficial to fill up earlier and just top of the tank immediately before returning the car.
If traveling from the north, exit towards the airport and make a small circle to reach the station. Note that the prices may be higher due to the station's location. It may be beneficial to fill up earlier and just top of the tank immediately before returning the car.
Popular one-way rentals
- Sao Paulo
- Brasilia
Airport info
Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont (SDU)
- IATA: SDU
- ICAO: SBRJ
- Name: Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont (SDU)
- Distance from city: 1.2 miles / 2 km
Top 20 locations near Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont
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13.6 km / 8.5 miles away
-
342.9 km / 213.1 miles away
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349.8 km / 217.4 miles away
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365.6 km / 227.2 miles away
-
373.6 km / 232.1 miles away
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419.1 km / 260.4 miles away
-
675.5 km / 419.7 miles away
-
756.9 km / 470.3 miles away
-
836.8 km / 520 miles away
-
906.9 km / 563.5 miles away
-
927.9 km / 576.6 miles away
-
1,120 km / 695.9 miles away
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1,185.7 km / 736.8 miles away
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1,223.4 km / 760.2 miles away
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1,684 km / 1,046.4 miles away
-
1,864.5 km / 1,158.5 miles away
-
2,072 km / 1,287.5 miles away
-
2,185.2 km / 1,357.8 miles away
-
2,461.9 km / 1,529.8 miles away
-
2,861.9 km / 1,778.3 miles away
Map of car rental locations
When are car rental prices the lowest at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont?
The cost of renting a car at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont is August — when rental costs average $23.70 per day. This is 18% cheaper than the yearly average and 38% cheaper than renting a car in February (when prices average $38.03 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont?
How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in March the average rental period is 10 days, while in August, the average rental period is only 5 days.
Average number of rental days at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont?
Based on how many users search for a car in at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont, travelers are most likely to rent a car in December, while they are least likely to rent in in May.
Monthly searches at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Popular suppliers | Foco, Localiza, Movida, Unidas, National |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Large cars |
| Lowest price | $20 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Localiza |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foco | Fiat Mobi | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Foco | VW Gol | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Localiza | Fiat Argo | 2 | 3 | Small cars |
| Localiza | Jeep Renegade | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Localiza | Fiat Mobi | 2 | 2 | Small cars |
| Foco | Volkswagen Up | 2 | 2 | Small cars |
| Foco | Renault Logan | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| Foco | Volkswagen T-Cross | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Localiza | Chevrolet Spin | 4 | 2 | Vans |
| Foco | Chevrolet Onix | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
RA
Argentina
VW Gol
2/1/23
I travelled part of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, where I got the chance to see very beautiful beaches and also beautiful sights while driving. My advice is to keep away from big cities and give a chance to smaller places where the people are always welcoming.
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Localiza
9 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Unidas
6.4 / 10
Total number of reviews
6
Total rental companies
6
Average daily price
$58.85
Lowest daily price
$19.89
Total cars available
60
Top 6 suppliers at Rio de Janeiro Airport Santos Dumont in 2025
Localiza
08009792020
Av Presidente Antônio Carlos, 681 12th floor, Centro
$20 - $78
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:00
Tue:
06:00 - 23:00
Wed:
06:00 - 23:00
Thu:
06:00 - 23:00
Fri:
06:00 - 23:00
Sat:
06:00 - 23:00
Sun:
06:00 - 23:00
National
8009792020
35 Sao Jose Street 12Th Floor, Menezes Cortez Building
$114 - $173
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:00
Tue:
06:00 - 23:00
Wed:
06:00 - 23:00
Thu:
06:00 - 23:00
Fri:
06:00 - 23:00
Sat:
06:00 - 23:00
Sun:
06:00 - 23:00
Enterprise
08009792020
35 Sao Jose Street 12Th Floor, Menezes Cortez Building
$114 - $173
Working hours
Mon:
06:00 - 23:00
Tue:
06:00 - 23:00
Wed:
06:00 - 23:00
Thu:
06:00 - 23:00
Fri:
06:00 - 23:00
Sat:
06:00 - 23:00
Sun:
06:00 - 23:00
Movida
+552123037062 / +552125582044
Praça Sen. Salgado Filho, s/n - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20021-340
$22 - $37
Foco
+558140072109
Rua do Catete, 178, Catete
$20 - $61
Working hours
Mon:
05:00 - 23:00
Tue:
05:00 - 23:00
Wed:
05:00 - 23:00
Thu:
05:00 - 23:00
Fri:
05:00 - 23:00
Sat:
05:00 - 23:00
Sun:
05:00 - 23:00
Unidas
+552123037006 / +552139594635
Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha, 365 - Glória, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20021-010
$51 - $70
Working hours
Mon:
05:00 - 23:00
Tue:
05:00 - 23:00
Wed:
05:00 - 23:00
Thu:
05:00 - 23:00
Fri:
05:00 - 23:00
Sat:
05:00 - 23:00
Sun:
05:00 - 23:00
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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