London to Rio de Janeiro is a classic long-haul route, and you have a real choice: fly non-stop from Heathrow in about 11½ hours with British Airways, or save money on a one-stop itinerary through Europe or São Paulo. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in pounds, and when to book for the best price.
Route: London Heathrow (LHR) → Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG)
Distance: approximately 9,250 km (5,750 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 11h 40m westbound
Direct flights: Yes — British Airways flies non-stop daily from Heathrow to Galeão. One-stop options via Europe or São Paulo are often cheaper.
Fares from London to Rio de Janeiro (GBP)
Rio’s high season is the southern-hemisphere summer — December to March — peaking around New Year’s Réveillon and Carnival (February or early March). Fares are highest then and lowest in the Brazilian winter (May to September), which is dry, mild and a genuinely good time to visit. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | very high (summer) |
| February | very high (Carnival) |
| March | high |
| April | medium-high |
| May | medium (low season) |
| June | medium |
| July | medium-high (school holidays) |
| August | medium |
| September | medium |
| October | medium |
| November | medium-high |
| December | very high (holidays) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 11h 40m):
- British Airways — the only non-stop, flying daily from Heathrow to Galeão on a Boeing 777; economy, premium economy and business cabins.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 14–18 hours total):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon — frequent connections and a solid one-stop option from London.
- Iberia via Madrid — a short first hop and a single onward flight to Rio; competitive fares.
- Air France via Paris and Lufthansa via Frankfurt — comfortable European routings with wide schedules.
- LATAM via São Paulo (GRU) — the Brazilian option, sometimes with the lowest headline fares and a short domestic hop into Rio.
Because the one-stop carriers compete hard, they usually undercut the non-stop BA fare by £50–£150. If time matters most, book the direct Heathrow flight; if price is the priority, a single stop through Lisbon, Madrid or São Paulo is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–5 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Rio rarely improve in the final weeks.
- Avoid Carnival and New Year if you can — late December to early March, and Carnival week especially, are the most expensive and busiest of the year.
- Travel in the Brazilian winter (May–September) for the lowest fares and dry, comfortable weather in Rio.
- Consider a one-stop through Lisbon or Madrid — the short European connection often saves money over the non-stop with little extra hassle.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service carriers to Brazil generally include a 23 kg bag, but the cheapest “light” long-haul fares may not — compare the all-in price.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
International flights land at Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International (GIG), about 20 km north of the city centre. The cheapest way in is the BRT/premium airport bus toward the southern beach zones, while a metered or app taxi to Copacabana costs roughly R$90–R$130 (about £13–£19) and takes 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. Rio’s second airport, Santos Dumont (SDU), sits downtown but handles domestic flights only. Brazil uses the real (R$), and UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Rio de Janeiro?
The non-stop British Airways flight takes about 11 hours 40 minutes westbound from Heathrow. One-stop itineraries via Lisbon, Madrid or São Paulo typically take 14 to 18 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Rio de Janeiro?
Yes. British Airways flies non-stop daily from London Heathrow to Rio’s Galeão airport — the only direct service on the route. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with TAP (via Lisbon), Iberia (via Madrid) or LATAM (via São Paulo) are usually cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Rio de Janeiro?
A typical economy return runs about £560–£880 depending on the season. Good deals dip to around £490–£580 in the Brazilian winter (May–September), while Carnival, New Year and the December peak push toward £1,000.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Rio de Janeiro?
May and June are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid late December to early March — the southern-hemisphere summer, New Year and Carnival — which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Rio de Janeiro?
Non-stop: British Airways from Heathrow. One-stop: TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon), Iberia (via Madrid), Air France (via Paris), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) and LATAM (via São Paulo), which are often competitive on price.
Which airport do I fly into in Rio de Janeiro?
You arrive at Galeão (GIG), Rio’s international airport, about 20 km north of the centre. The downtown airport, Santos Dumont (SDU), handles domestic flights only, so international arrivals from London always use Galeão.
How far in advance should I book London to Rio de Janeiro flights?
Aim to book 3 to 5 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Rio tend to rise as departure approaches, especially around Carnival, New Year and the December–March high season, so early booking almost always wins.
Do I need a visa to visit Rio de Janeiro?
No — UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits to Brazil of up to 90 days. You’ll just need a passport valid for the length of your stay. Always confirm the current entry rules before you travel, as requirements can change.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
