Below you will fine some useful information to prepare for your trip and for your arrival in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the main airport serving Rio de Janeiro and is the second busiest airport in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is a major hub, with many international airlines flying there. You can find more information about the airport here.
We recommend all participants check their individual visa requirements for Brazil before travelling. You can find your local Brazilian embassy or consulate here.
For registration purposes and to enter the conference venue, you must bring with you a valid photo ID (driving license or passport) otherwise you will be refused access. This must be the original ID and not a copy and will be required on both days.
Taxis
When you arrive at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport, there are a number of transportation options available to you. Just after leaving Customs and before the exit doors, you can find taxi companies contracted by the airport: COOTRAMO, COOPERTRAMO. These are more expensive than regular cabs, but you can normally pay upfront with a credit card and the price is a fixed rate. Do not, under any circumstances, accept transportation offers from individual people approaching you at the airport lounge.
Outside of the airport, there are yellow taxis, which are the regular city taxis. If you choose to take them, make sure you do not pick a vehicles outside the line of vehicles along the airport sidewalk, as there is a chance they may be unregulated drivers. Please make sure you do not get in a taxi that has no meter. Payment is made in Brazilian Reais based on automatic meters. Credit cards are not usually accepted by taxi drivers in Rio, so please make sure to ask if the driver accepts credit cards/your card brand before you get into a taxi. Uber is a good option in Rio and the app works the same as in every international city.
Metro
One of the quickest and easiest way to reach the FGV Cultural Center is via metro. The Flamengo station is the closest to the Getulio Vargas Foundation. You can download the maps of the subway lines and the surroundings of Flamengo station here.
We recommend caution when using the Metro system, do not carry large amounts of valuables and ensure you are wary of pick pockets.
The official currency is the Brazilian Real (Reais plural).
Businesses in Rio only accept the official Brazilian government currency (Brazilian Reais – BRLs/BR$). There are money exchange agencies at the airport - with higher taxes due to the convenience rate – but this service is also available at travel agencies throughout the city, especially inside malls. Such outlets should work with official tourism rates.
Another option is to withdraw cash directly from an ATM machine (usually either from the Banco 24hrs ATM machines, Santander or Citibank - international banks in general, should work). At those sites, major international card companies - such as Visa, Mastercard and AMEX - are generally accepted. Smaller card companies like Discover are not commonly accepted in Brazil. Please keep in mind there is a convenience fee for ATM services.
A safe alternative is to use the Santander Bank ATM machines in the FGV Main Building (15th floor). At these machines the regular ATM fees apply (generally varying from a R$20 or R$30 single, one time withdrawal rate). Please check with your bank to ensure your credit and debits cards are activated to work while you are in Brazil.
In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are type N (3 pin plugs specific to Brazil). The standard voltage is 127 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Participants are recommended to bring their own electrical/travel plug adaptor.
There is free Wi-Fi at the FGV buildings for visitors and you will find Wi-Fi widely available in hotels, restaurants and bars.
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313