Flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Rio de Janeiro is five hours ahead of Los Angeles, where Los Angeles International Airport is located. Rio de Janeiro runs on the UTC-3 timezone.
Give yourself enough time to catch your LAX to Rio de Janeiro flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially unlock a cheaper plane ticket from LAX to Rio de Janeiro. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these airports:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
LAX is around 19 kilometers from central Los Angeles. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the center, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour.
In search of a hotel near LAX? If you're boarding an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, these accommodation options set you up for a seamless send-off:
80% of flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport land at their destination according to schedule. With its strong on-time stats, delays are unlikely when flying out of LAX.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Rio de Janeiro
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight is AED 1,127. The cheapest price for a return flight is AED 2,028. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from LAX to Rio de Janeiro if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from LAX to Rio de Janeiro by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Snag an affordable flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for 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.
It takes around 1 hour if you're traveling by public transport.
Book a hotel near GIG if you have a late flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from LAX to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
Central Rio de Janeiro is about 5 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). After your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 10 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 20 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SDU. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your LAX to Rio de Janeiro flight:
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from SDU three weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Find your way to the city center after your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has landed. Central Rio de Janeiro is about 27 kilometers from Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 45 minutes to reach by car.
If you go by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Stay at a hotel close to RRJ and go from the runway to resting in a snap. Whether you have a late LAX to Rio de Janeiro flight or just want a stress-free arrival, these stays offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro is a smart move. Along with better deals, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at RRJ.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the most popular month to visit Rio de Janeiro. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in December.
Lock in a Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket with a departure in February if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 36ºC (97ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from LAX to Rio de Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Rio de Janeiro
After booking your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are must-visits when exploring Rio de Janeiro.
Explore more of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Brazil just waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometers west of Rio de Janeiro, a trip to Sao Paulo will keep your itinerary packed. Start with popular sights like Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Around 338 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another favorite stop in Brazil. No visit is complete without checking out Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.