Flying from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Rio de Janeiro is two hours ahead of Orlando, where Orlando International Airport is located. Rio de Janeiro runs on the UTC-3 timezone.
For a relaxed start to your MCO to Rio de Janeiro flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as March. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for plane tickets from MCO to Rio de Janeiro, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Located around 14 kilometres from the centre of Orlando, MCO can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Have an early flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to MCO:
77% of flights leaving from Orlando International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
MCO is located at One Airport Boulevard.
How to find the cheapest flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Rio de Janeiro
$308 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $683. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares could change.
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from MCO to Rio de Janeiro. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer your departure date, the more expensive your ticket may be.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when looking for your Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro ticket.
Save time searching for cheap flights from MCO to Rio de Janeiro by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport takes around 1 hour.
If you have a late flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near GIG:
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from MCO to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Central Rio de Janeiro is around 5 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Once your flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 10 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 20 minutes on public transport.
Following your MCO to Rio de Janeiro flight, unwind at a hotel near SDU. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Step off your flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro and go straight to your hotel or start discovering the city right away. Central Rio de Janeiro is around 27 kilometres from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and usually takes 45 minutes to drive there.
The journey will take around 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport.
Enjoy a restful, unhurried start to your trip by staying at a hotel near RRJ after your MCO to Rio de Janeiro flight. Take a load off after a long travel day or simply give yourself time to find your footing in a new place at:
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is a good move. Along with better deals, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the most popular month to travel to Rio de Janeiro. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in December.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Book your Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from MCO to Rio de Janeiro around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Rio de Janeiro
Start your Rio de Janeiro trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Orlando International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many cities in Brazil waiting to be explored after you've seen Rio de Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, popular attractions include Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
If you want to check out another side of Brazil, consider Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis are the start of reasons to visit.