Travel and transportation
Airports
Rio’s international airport is located on Ilha do Governador, which has excellent access to Rio’s South Zone where most of the major hotels are located. The airport is served by 28 international carriers as well as the three major Brazilian airlines and between them they offer direct flights to and from more than 80 international cities and most of the major Brazilian centers of population. Domestic flights and shuttle service between Rio and São Paulo are the specialty of Rio’s smaller city center airfield, Santos Dumont. An efficient taxi and bus service links the international airport with the main hotels and residential areas.
The international airport has two modern terminals, with a capacity for 15 million passengers per year, and restaurants, banks, exchange facilities, and shopping — including Duty Free. Located on the Ilha do Governador (Governor’s Island), the airport is linked to downtown Rio and the South Zone by the Linha Vermelha expressway (Red Line), the trip taking about 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions, whether by special taxi, airconditioned bus, or exclusive transport services to set points or to the principal hotels. There is also transport to the West Zone — Barra — where Riocentro, the largest Convention Center in Latin America is located, also around 20 minutes on another expressway, the Linha Amarela (Yellow Line).
International Airport — Galeão - Antonio Carlos Jobim
General information:
Tel: + 55 21 3398 5050
Flights:
Tel: + 55 21 3398 4527 / 3398-4526
Domestic Airport — Santos Dumond
General information and flights:
Tel: +55 21 3814-7070
Airport Transfers
It is recommended to pre-book your airport transfers. Attendees will be met inside the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport) by a Nex Level representative and escorted to the luxury, air-conditioned coaches standing by, ready to take you to your destination hotel. Nex Level Tours will also be offering return transfers to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão on departure. Please note that we will offer this transfer service only to those attendees who have registered their flight details and purchased their transfer tickets in advance. Pre-booking is essential. Registration details for this service may be requested when you register for the conference or you can download this form and return to Nex Level.
Airport transfer fees
- One way transfer from the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport to South Area Hotels (Sheraton Rio, Astoria Palace, Copacabana Palace, Rio Porto Bay, Royal Rio and Mar Palace) for only one person is US$70 per person with local English-speaking guides. Price for two or more persons in the same vehicle will be US$35 per person.
- One way transfer from the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport to West Area Hotels (Royalty Bourbon Premium Residence, Windsor Barra, Sheraton Barra and Royalty Barra) for only one person is US$80 per person with local English-speaking guides. Price for two or more persons in the same vehicle will be US$40 per person.
Cyber C@fé
Date: Monday, 16 November— Wednesday, 18 November
Location: Pavilion 2, Exhibition Hall
Time: Exhibition Hall hours
Visit the Cyber C@fé to surf the web, follow links to exhibitors’ websites, retrieve and send e-mail and keep in touch with colleagues and family while you are attending the conference.
Driving
If you are a U.S. resident, you can obtain an Inter-American Driving Permit from the AAA which allows you to drive in Brazil. Otherwise an International Driving Permit with your home license is required. Most websites recommend against tourists driving in Rio de Janeiro, unless they are used to high stress and high traffic situations. Drivers should be able to drive a stick shift very well, as automatics are rare in Brazil, and be able to understand directional and safety signage in Portuguese.
Check with your hotel or rental car company for more information.
Public Transportation
Air-conditioned buses: Locally known as frescão (freshcaun) — the fresh guys — air-conditioned buses can be hailed, just like taxis. They run along the beach and connect South Side neighborhoods to each other, downtown, the airport and Barra. They do not have a fixed schedule posted on the street, though. As they are not as frequent as regular buses, you may have to wait for a few minutes.
Buses: Rio’s most popular means of transportation, yet the trickiest to master. A ride on a circular line bus is less than R$2. There are bus lines connecting the whole city, and you do not need exact change. There is a professional known as cobrador sitting behind a turnstile to collect your money and give you change.
Buses are not air-conditioned, and at rush hours they may look more like sardine cans. Safety is an issue to consider. Sometimes pickpockets and petty thieves take advantage of crowded buses to prey upon commuters.
Radio taxis: These white, blue or red taxis are reserved by calling the company and requesting service. Cars are bigger and usually air-conditioned. Some radio-taxis charge by the meter, others charge flat rates. Ask for all details first. They will need a contact phone number to confirm the ride.
Yellow taxis: Taxis are a bright yellow with a blue stripe on the sides. Yellow taxis run by the meter. There is an initial fare and the meter starts ticking as soon as you get in. After 21:00 and on weekends fares are a little higher. A tip of R$1 is normal. Some taxis are air-conditioned at no extra charge.
Subway: Rio’s subway is still relatively small, but it is safe, comfortable and reliable. It is especially useful to take you from Copacabana to Botafogo, Flamengo, Gloria and Downtown. The subway does not yet reach Ipanema, Leblon and Barra. Cars stop running at 23:00 and on weekends.
