KAYAK’s insights & trends for Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
You should book your rental car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport around 86 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
Hires in the Small category (Renault Kwid or similar) are the most popular option in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport, costing S$ 27/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as S$ 17/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport is June at an average cost of S$ 19/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport when prices are S$ 36/day on average, which tends to be 34% above the yearly average hire price for Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Small cars
S$ 25 - S$ 35
All Car Types
S$ 50 - S$ 85
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
Small car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 27 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average S$ 25 per day, which is about 8% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 60% cheaper than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 37 per day. The best time to book is August, when prices average S$ 32 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 45% cheaper than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport, offering a good balance of space and value.
SUV hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 93 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average S$ 60 per day, which is about 36% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 28% more expensive than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 93 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average S$ 73 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 28% more expensive than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 72 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average S$ 53 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 7% more expensive than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport typically costs around S$ 139 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average S$ 73 per day, which is about 48% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 52% more expensive than the average car hire in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Small
Top tips for hiring a car at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport
Car hire at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is a good option to explore the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro in comfort directly from the airport, avoiding the need to negotiate and navigate busy public transport options. At less than a mile from the city centre, the airport is conveniently located to help you get on your way quickly and easily around the city and surrounding area, and you will reach famous central attractions such as the Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana beaches within a short drive with your hired vehicle.
Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding state has excellent driving infrastructure and road networks. You can explore the nearby peninsular of Buzios or the spectacular bay of Paraty, or head to the nearby national parks and mountain ranges. The coastal route 101 runs for around 375 miles and will take you from Rio all the way to Sao Paulo, taking in many places along the coastline. Expect higher speed limits on major highways in comparison to European standards.
Rio de Janeiro Airport can be remarkably busy, particularly in the rush hours between 17:00-19:00. Try to avoid these hours, if possible, when retuning your car hire to the airport or give yourself extra time. It may be worth taking advantage of the mid-afternoon lull for an easier journey. You can find several refreshment outlets on the first floor of the departure’s terminal. There is also a restaurant and travel agency in the arrival’s hall, near to the car hire rental desks.
You can find several petrol stations on Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport grounds. In case you need to refuel before returning your car rental, the nearest one is central to the airport and near to the tram stop. There is also an electrical vehicle charging station on Avenida Presidente Antonio Carlos slightly further afield but within a few minutes’ drive if you have hired an electric car.
Book your car hire at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about renting a car at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport
Where are the car hire facilities located at Rio de Janeiro Airport?
On arrival at the airport, you will find Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport car hire rental desks situated in the arrival’s hall. Turn left immediately after you leave the baggage claim area and you will reach the counters within a few steps, walking in the direction of the Bossa Nova Mall. The car hire desks are located on the right-hand side.
What documentation is needed for car hire at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport?
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age to hire a car at Rio de Janeiro Airport. A full valid driving licence is required which must have been held for at least 2 years and an International Driving Permit is advisable if you are a UK driver. You must also present another form of photo ID, namely, a passport and a valid international credit card to complete your booking. Remember to bring a printout of your booking confirmation voucher or an electronic confirmation.
Which car hire at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport is easiest to access?
You can locate all the rental desks in the arrival hall easily within just a few steps from the baggage reclaim. However, if you use Alamo car rental, you can benefit from using their express check-in service which will save you time queuing at the counter. You can provide all your details online prior to your arrival and your car will then be ready to collect. You can also use the handy Alamo Rent-A-Car App which will let you modify your booking and direct you to the pick-up location. The main office is located on Av Almirante Silvio de Noronha and is open from 06:00 to 23:00.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, MOVIDA , National, Serve Sul Rent a Car, and Unidas.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport car rental reviews and directory
The pick up via shuttle was very far, but I know that is a function of the airport logistics, however, I would have appreciated if they'd told me at pick up that I could return directly at airport, which I only discovered by accident.
8.0 Very Good
Anonymous, Apr 2022
MOVIDO Employees know very well about MOVIDO policies. However, they were not sure about agreement between (MOVIDO and Kayak or Qeeq). They had to ask few questions to management. After all, everything was fine.
1 out of 1
Avis
5.0
Fair
Cleanliness
6.3
Comfort
6.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.0
Value for money
5.1
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
You had the wrong address listed. The wrong company also. It had been bought out by Unidas and I had no one telling me that so i wandered around the airport for an hour trying to figure out what to do before i found out from some random information clerk that my rental was with Unidas. Then instead of the $50 i was quoted by your site I ended up paying $260 because your site failed to tell me about the cost associated with dropping the car off in a different city. And then to add insult to injury your site wouldnt let me extend the booking by a day.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jan 2026
Mini
I arrived there the day and they said my reservation is canceled!
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jul 2024
Intermediate
They canceled our reservation because we arrived "late", after an unknown 2h cut off time not advertised anywhere, and incredibly enough they were not able to rebook, never seen before! So we went to another rental car company.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2024
Economy
Although we had pre booked a confirmed amount through Avis, when arriving at the car rental, we when them told actually the price was 30% more due to dropping off the car at a different location (even though that was confirmed in our booking) with no room for negotiation, and no other option but to have to pay the extra as we were otherwise stranded in a foreign country with no transport. Felt tricked or mislead, and unfortunately won't use Avis again due to this
1 out of 2
Budget
4.6
Mediocre
Cleanliness
4.6
Comfort
4.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.6
Value for money
4.6
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
This was quite the nightmare to be honest. They did not have the reservation at all. Why did I even make the reservation through Kayak? How do I know if I can ever trust Kayak if the reservation I made does not exist? I had to pay 4X the amount to a different rental company. You can imagine how infuriating it can be to have to find a rental car agency at the very last minute, moments before needing to check out of the AirBnB, in a foreign country whose language is also foreign. This costed me hundreds of dollars and hours of stress. How do I avoid this in the future?
1 out of 1
FOCO
4.0
Mediocre
Cleanliness
8.0
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.6
Value for money
4.4
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Pick-up was smooth and too good to be true based on the reviews. Drop-off was were I understood why FOCO has negative reviews. The agents tried to charge me for excessive "dirt" on and in the car, including in the back seat where nobody sat. I had to speak with several employees before a manager preferred to waive any fees than deal with me. The online, telephone, and WhatsApp options for communication with FOCO do not work - going in person is the only way to communicate with FOCO.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Mar 2025
Intermediate SUV
Pick up took THREE hours! Understaffed, unpleasant and slow service. Would never use again in the future. Ruined our entire day.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Passenger van
On 12/21/23, I was 3 hours late in picking up my rental car at FOCO, in Rio de Janeiro due to 6 hours layover in Sao Paulo by AZUL Airlines. This was not unexpected but the agent wanted to charge me an additional “no show” fee which is 50% of the total 12 days rental. I explained that I had no control over the airlines delay and how can he charge me a “no show” fee while I am standing in front of him. When I threatened to post his ridiculous shakedown video on the internet, he relented, so I thought. He also tried to sell me insurance which I declined and I showed him my State Farm policy that covers all my car rentals. However, I just noticed another $304.62 charged on my account which was not authorized.
8.0 Very Good
Kerry, May 2022
It would be easier to drop the rental car at airport than trying to find the depot.
1 out of 2
Unidas
4.0
Mediocre
Cleanliness
5.3
Comfort
4.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.0
Value for money
4.0
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Av Almirante Silvio De Noronha 365
+55 21 3959 4635
Monday
05:00 - 23:00
Tuesday
05:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
05:00 - 23:00
Thursday
05:00 - 23:00
Friday
05:00 - 23:00
Saturday
05:00 - 23:00
Sunday
05:00 - 23:00
Filters
No reviews available
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Jardel Jercolis Rua
+55 800 979 2020
Monday
06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday
06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
06:00 - 23:00
Thursday
06:00 - 23:00
Friday
06:00 - 23:00
Saturday
06:00 - 23:00
Sunday
06:00 - 23:00
Filters
No reviews available
Locauto Rent a Car
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Aeroporto
+55 217 893 3497
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
Movicar Rent a Car
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Dentro Do Estacionamento Da Marina Da Gloria, Rj
+55 21 2558 2044
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
National
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Jardel Jercolis Rua
+55 800 979 2020
Monday
06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday
06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
06:00 - 23:00
Thursday
06:00 - 23:00
Friday
06:00 - 23:00
Saturday
06:00 - 23:00
Sunday
06:00 - 23:00
Filters
No reviews available
NovaCar Rent a Car
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Aeroporto
+55 213 518 8280
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
Serve Sul Rent a Car
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Aeroporto
+55 213 226 3839
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
Locations in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
35 Sao Jose Street 12th floor
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
52 travellers who rented a car in Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.4
Car rental locations at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport
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