Cheap flights London – Rio de Janeiro

November is the cheapest month on this route, and it falls in Rio's late spring — warm, green, and before the summer crowds arrive. Fares climb around Christmas and New Year, when Brazilians fly home and London empties out, and again during Rio's Carnival season, so book well ahead if those weeks are the ones you want. Midweek departures from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City usually cost less than Friday and Sunday flights, and the same holds for the return leg out of Rio. Book a few months ahead in low season, and earlier for peak weeks.

Most of the carriers on this route are full-service: British Airways, TAP Portugal, Air Europa, Air Canada, United Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Aer Lingus and Hahn Air. Wizz Air Malta is the low-cost name in the mix, and Portug also shows up on some itineraries. Baggage is where they part company — a low-cost fare often includes only a small cabin bag, while the full-service carriers usually fold a checked bag into the ticket. Non-stop service exists, but plenty of these airlines sell one-stop routings through their own hubs, so read the itinerary rather than trusting the airline name to mean a direct flight.

Rio de Janeiro has two airports, and they behave very differently. Rio de Janeiro International takes most long-haul arrivals and sits well outside the centre, so give yourself real time for the transfer. Santos Dumon is the closer one, near the city centre and convenient if your onward plans are domestic. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and airport buses all run into town; settle the fare or book through the app before you get in. Watch the traffic at rush hour, and check which airport your return leaves from — the two are not interchangeable on a tight connection.

Currency

BRL (R$)

Power sockets

Type C, N · 127 V

Language

Portuguese

Emergency number

188, 190, 192

Driving side

right

Calling code

+55

Internet domain

.br

Population of Rio De Janeiro

6.2 M (2022)

Time zone

UTC-03 (America/Sao_Paulo)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport your fare leaves from, since Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City are not interchangeable.
• Confirm the baggage allowance if you book the low-cost option, as cabin-only fares are common.
• If your trip is stitched together from separate tickets, leave a long buffer for the connection and ask whether bags are through-checked.
• Look up the entry rules for Brazil for your passport well before departure.
• Decide between Rio de Janeiro International and Santos Dumon before you book, because the transfer into town differs.
• Book earlier if you are travelling over Christmas, New Year or Carnival, and aim for November if your dates are flexible.