Travel

Getting to Rio from the UK is not cheap. It is certainly cheaper to get to LOS. There is a BA flight to Rio which stops off at Sao Paulo, but is otherwise direct and takes about 12.5 hours. This looked a more expensive option than the one I took and as I was stopping in Madrid anyway on my return the option below was better for me.

BA London to Madrid – 2 hours.

I like travelling BA to Madrid, the flights are frequent, the food good for short haul and prices reasonable if you pick the right times and book in advance. This trip was no exception. There online reservation is excellent and you can book-in in online 24 hours in advance if you are an Executive Club member (free) or 12 hours if you are not. This gives you the advantage of booking a seat by the emergency exits which has more legroom. Normally these are rows 11 and 12. You can also print out your boarding card and check your luggage separately, saving you from all the queues. All flights were on time, so had 2 hours to kill at Barajas airport. £134 return.

Pluna/Varig Madrid to Rio

This is a direct flight that takes approximately 10.5 hours there and 9.5 return. As I had 5 days in Madrid on my return it made that part of the journey a short one. This was a Pluna (Uruguay) flight shared with Varig. I cannot say they are the best airline I have flown with, the legroom was good for economy at about 34” pitch, but the room seemed tight and the food and service was average at best, but acceptable. The flight times were excellent though, departing at just before midnight, giving a night flight that I prefer and arriving at 5.30am local time, giving a very full start day in Rio. The flight departed at nearly 11pm, again a night flight, again giving a full day in Rio and touches down in Madrid at 1.40pm local time. The flights were all prompt and I had no complaints at all. Going out it was packed, the return however was only ¾ full. £500 return

Airport/Rio/Airport

I had a driver pick me up from the airport the cost was Reals (R) 40 each way including tip. LovingMarvin was flying in an hour later so the driver and I decided to wait for him. I took this option as I was worried about the ride to town and the driver was recommended. It saved all the hassle of avoiding the expensive touts as you come out of the arrivals door and worry about getting a normal yellow cab outside the airport.

I did not check out the arrival facilities, but there are ATMs and Bureau de Changes. Be aware though, that when departing, the facilities once through the customs and immigration are not good and I found food and drink supplies quite limited.