Flying from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3. The city is four hours behind Barcelona, where Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your BCN to Rio de Janeiro flight.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially unlock a cheaper plane ticket from BCN to Rio de Janeiro. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your journey by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Located around 13 kilometers from the center of Barcelona, BCN can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 30 minutes.
Looking for a hotel near BCN? If you're boarding an early flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
80% of flights departing from Barcelona-El Prat Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. With its dependable on-time performance, disruptions are unlikely when taking off from BCN.
How to find the cheapest flights from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Rio de Janeiro
AED 1,382 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight. A return plane ticket right now is AED 2,763. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Booking in advance is often the key to securing a cheap flight from BCN to Rio de Janeiro. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Scoring cheap tickets from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest fares across each month and land an epic deal.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from BCN to Rio de Janeiro.
Save money on your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 19 kilometers. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour.
If you have a late flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near GIG:
Booking your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from BCN to Rio de Janeiro can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Central Rio de Janeiro is about 5 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Once your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 10 minutes.
If you're traveling on public transport, it'll take about 20 minutes.
Following your BCN to Rio de Janeiro flight, kick back at a hotel near SDU. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride three weeks before your arrival at SDU will save you money.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Set your sights on the city center after your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro has arrived. Central Rio de Janeiro is around 27 kilometers from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 45 minutes to reach by cab or ride-share.
If you go by public transport, the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to make the journey to the center, head for a hotel near RRJ. Settle in at one of these stays after your BCN to Rio de Janeiro flight:
If you're looking for a specific make or model, booking early increases your chances of getting your first choice. Secure your ride from RRJ a few weeks ahead of your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
December is the quietest month for flights from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro, while January is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket with a departure in February if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from BCN 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 perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Rio de Janeiro, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are top sights which should be on every Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
You've visited Rio de Janeiro, now it's time to discover other parts of Brazil. Journey about 354 kilometers west to Sao Paulo to tick off its popular sights. From Ibirapuera Park to Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If there's time to check out another major stop in Brazil, consider Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro. Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis are among its highlights.