Getting to Natal by plane. The largest airport in the State of Rio Grande do Norte is the Natal International Airport - São Gonçalo do Amarante/Governador Aluízio Alves (NAT), located in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante, adjacent to Natal. Serving the capital and its metropolitan region, this new airport opened in May 2014 and is considered one of the best in Brazil. The leading domestic airlines, LATAM, Gol, Azul, and Voepass, operate at Natal airport with direct flights connecting the city to other major Brazilian cities, such as Fortaleza (45 min), Recife (50 min), Salvador (1h20), Brasília (2h20), Belo Horizonte (2h25), Rio de Janeiro (2h45), and São Paulo (3h). Direct international flights also connect Natal to Lisbon, Portugal, operated by TAP Air Portugal (7h), and to Buenos Aires, Argentina, operated by Gol (5h). The domestic connections to other cities in Brazil make reaching Natal from Europe or North America easy.
Natal International Airport is approximately 35 km from Via Costeira and Ponta Negra Beach, the city's main hotel and tourist areas. There are several options to facilitate travel to/from the airport and ensure a smooth and pleasant travel experience:
- Transfer services. Upon arrival at the airport, there are counters from companies that offer on-demand transfer services. Sites such as Transfer Aeroporto Natal and Transfer Natal VIP also offer reliable and well-rated transfer services, providing comfortable and safe transport to the desired location. Another option is to use digital platforms like Civitatis.
- Ride apps. The Uber and 99 platforms, widely used in Brazil, operate app-based passenger transport services, providing an efficient and convenient way to reach your destination from the airport and vice versa. To use it, request a ride in the app (taking advantage of the airport's free Wi-Fi network) and wait for the driver in the covered area outside the terminal exit.
- Taxis. axis are readily available in the airport's departure and arrival halls, providing direct, convenient transport to your destination in Natal. Coopcon - São Gonçalo do Amarante Taxi Drivers Cooperative is the only taxi company accredited to the airport and operates in Natal and São Gonçalo do Amarante, with trained and qualified drivers.
- Car rental. At the airport, there are several car rental options available to travelers. The main car rental companies at the airport are Foco, Localiza, Movida, and Unidas. These companies offer a range of vehicles and services to meet the diverse needs of travelers arriving at the airport.
When choosing the most suitable transport option, it is crucial to consider factors such as cost, convenience, and the location of the arrival or departure point. Furthermore, ensuring that the service you choose is reliable and meets security standards is essential.
Getting to Natal by car. The BR-101 federal highway is the most important access linking Natal to other cities along the Northeast coast and the Southeast/South of Brazil along the north-south coast. For those from cities like Fortaleza and Teresina, another common access is the federal highway BR-304, which comes from the west of Rio Grande do Norte. Regarding the capitals of the nearest states, the average driving time between Natal and João Pessoa (181 km away) is 2h25, between Natal and Recife (291 km away) is 4h20, and between Natal and Fortaleza (521 km away) is 7h55.
Getting to Natal by bus. The main ground terminal in Rio Grande do Norte is the Natal Bus Terminal, situated in the Cidade da Esperança neighborhood, western zone of Natal. Several bus companies operate routes within Rio Grande do Norte and to/from all major cities in the Northeast and many other cities in Brazil. For the capitals of the nearest states, the average bus travel time between Natal and João Pessoa (193 km away) is 3h, between Natal and Recife (291 km away) is 5h45, and between Natal and Fortaleza (524 km away) is 9h45.
