Flying from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro taking off from here.
Come in for landing at Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG), the chief entry point to Rio de Janeiro.
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3, which is 14 hours behind Melbourne.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro flight.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months such as December. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro
Booking ahead of time is often the key to locking in a cheap Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices across each month and snap up a sweet deal.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Stopovers offer the perfect opportunity to visit a new place or just take a break during your trip. When booking your Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro flight, deselect 'Direct flights only' to check out all potential stops. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is an option if you're leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
Travelling from central Melbourne to MEL takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
Of all flights departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 63% touch down on time at their destination.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is approximately 13 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Melbourne 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 soon after at one of these hotels near GIG:
Pick up a Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport rental car and explore Rio de Janeiro and beyond with your own set of wheels. Foco, Localiza and Movida are top outlets to choose from here.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport about four weeks ahead of your trip.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
The centre of Rio de Janeiro is located around 2 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Once your flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 10 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in around 20 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near SDU. Unwind after your Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro flight at any of these well-located options:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and be on your way in a flash.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SDU three weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro. December is the most popular month to travel to Rio de Janeiro. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in March.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Book your Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Rio de Janeiro
Start your Rio de Janeiro trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Ipanema Beach are leading attractions which should feature on any good Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Brazil you should also see. Around 354 kilometres west of Rio de Janeiro, a visit to Sao Paulo will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another favourite stop in Brazil. Start your sightseeing at Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.