Sleeping in Airports

Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

I settled in there, was asleep again, and within 20 minutes they were asking us to move into a narrow hall because they had to clean the big hall. – giggglius

SDU Airport Overview

rio de janeiro santos dumont airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport.

What to Expect

Located along the waterfront, Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (code: SDU) handles domestic flights from its two terminals, Departures and Arrivals. A few shops and eateries are available both landside and airside, and free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

Sleeping in Santos Dumont Airport

The airport closes nightly at 11:00 PM, but if you arrive before the doors are locked, you should be able to stay the night. Still, don’t expect comfort – seating is limited, and security or cleaning crews may move you to a designated spot, often with just floor space. Bring a travel mat or sleeping bag and dress in layers for varied temperatures. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby are hotels, including two within walking distance. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Santos Dumont Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport closes at 11:00 PM and reopens again around 4:30 AM. Travellers will only be allowed in or out of the airport during those hours, so get there before closing if you wish to spend the night!

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Santos Dumont Airport:

  • Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont Airport – Connected to the terminal.  No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Ibis Santos Dumont Airport – 6-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
  • Novotel Santos Dumont – 5-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Rio de Janeiro, search for deals and read traveller reviews.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Advantage VIP Lounge – Location: Landside, 1st Floor, Boarding Area. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Santos Dumont Airport Lounges

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

airport infoMore Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Machines are operated by Banco do Brasil • Bradesco • HSBC • Itaú • Santander. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: Landside, Arrivals Hall, Ground Floor • Landside, Arrivals Hall, 1st Floor.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, a baby changing room is available. Location: Landside, Arrivals Hall. Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

Currency Exchange – Invest Câmbio provides currency exchange. Location: unknown. Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free is available (5:00 AM – 10:00 PM) as well as a small selection of shops.

Food & Drinks – Food and beverage concessions are available at both Landside and Airside. At the time of this update, none were open 24 hours.

Information Desk – If you have any questions, an airport information desk is available to provide assistance! Location: Landside, Arrivals Hall. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Malex luggage storage/lockers are available landside outside the airport terminal. Rates: Unknown.

Luggage Wrapping – Protec Bag offers services to help protect your bags from theft and damage by wrapping them in plastic. Rates: unknown. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM.

Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, a medical clinic can be found in the departures terminal. Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM.

Mobile Charging – A reader tells us mobile charging is available at benches. (January 2023)

Pharmacy – Location: Departures Terminal, 1st floor. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the post office. Location: Departures terminal, first floor. Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Shoeshine – Location: Departures terminal, ground floor. Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. (Mon-Fri).

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

WiFi / Internet – Free WiFi is available at Santos Dumont Airport. Connect to the ”Infraero WI-FI Gratis” network.

Airlines
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport is served by the following airlines: Avianca • Azul • GOL • LATAM • Passaredo.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Airport Buses

Real Premium Bus lines 2018, 2145, and 2101 serve Santos Dumont Airport, with departures available every 30 minutes between 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM. These buses are air-conditioned and offer ample room for storing your luggage. To catch a bus from the city to the airport, wait for one in front of any major hotel. Tickets are sold onboard, but exact change is necessary.

Car Rentals

These car rental agencies offer service on the ground floor of the Arrivals Hall: Avis • Hertz • Localiza • Locaralpha • Movida • Unidas.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area.

Train

The city introduced a light rail train system (VLT) during the 2016 Olympics. The train connects the airport to the main bus station with 12+ stops along the way. At the time of this update, the train operates from 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM, and a ticket costs R $ 3,80.

Last updated: 2024-01-30

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.