Presidente Juscelino Kubistschek International Airport: where to…

Juscelino Kubitschek Airport is about 14 km from the Esplanada dos Ministérios and the Setor Hoteleiro, a trip that takes 20-30 minutes by car outside rush hour but can exceed 40 in evening traffic. Those with a dawn flight or a short layover find it handy to stay a short walk from the terminal, while those heading for Setor Hoteleiro Sul e Norte, on the Eixo Monumental, find the most practical base for visiting Niemeyer's monuments and the Rodoviária. On Lake Paranoá, towards the Palácio da Alvorada, are instead the city's top-end hotels, further from the centre but overlooking the water.

Near the airport

Airport area · About a 2-minute walk from the terminal and 1 from the bus station depending on the building; 20-30 minutes by car from the Setor Hoteleiro outside rush hour.

Best for: For those with a dawn flight or a short overnight stay between two flights, without entering the city.

Pros

The only international chain hotel literally inside the airport grounds
Taxis and the Linha Executivo run directly to Setor Hoteleiro Sul e Norte

Cons

Area meant purely for transit, no restaurants or evening life on foot
Far from the monuments and Lake Paranoá, a car is always needed to see the city

Recommended hotels in this area

ibis Styles Brasilia Aeroporto: A 2-minute walk from the terminal and 1 from the bus station depending on the building; pool, gym and spa, among the highest scores in this guide.
Hotel MM AEROPORTO BRASÍLIA: In Núcleo Bandeirante, a few minutes from the terminal; a simple property, useful for those seeking a lower rate near the airport.

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Setor Hoteleiro Sul e Norte (Eixo Monumental)

Neighbourhood · About 14 km from the terminal, 20-30 minutes by car outside rush hour, over 40 at peak times; also served by the Linha Executivo Aeroporto.

Best for: Goes for the ministries, the Rodoviária and Niemeyer's monuments a short walk away.

Pros

More chain hotels than anywhere else in Brasília, in the heart of the Eixo Monumental
A short walk from the Rodoviária and the Esplanada dos Ministérios

Cons

Sector built for offices and conferences, little to do on foot in the evening outside the hotels
Further from Lake Paranoá and the Palácio da Alvorada than the lakeside area

Recommended hotels in this area

Kubitschek Plaza Hotel: A 5-minute walk from the Esplanada dos Ministérios, in the Setor Hoteleiro Norte; pool, spa and two restaurants, among the city's most praised hotels.
Meliá Brasil 21: In the Setor Hoteleiro Sul, with a gym of over 1,000 m² among the largest in Brazil and rooms with city views.
Comfort Suites Brasília: In the Setor Hoteleiro Norte, more affordable than the other chains in the area; outdoor pool and buffet breakfast included.

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Lago Sul and Palácio da Alvorada

Neighbourhood · About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal depending on traffic, a little further than Setor Hoteleiro Sul e Norte.

Best for: Looks for the city's top-end hotels, overlooking Lake Paranoá near the Palácio da Alvorada.

Pros

Hotels overlooking Lake Paranoá, with some of the city's largest pools and spas
Quieter neighbourhood in the evening than the Setor Hoteleiro

Cons

Fewer independent restaurants nearby, guests often stay in the hotel
Further on foot from the ministries and the Rodoviária than the Eixo Monumental

Recommended hotels in this area

Brasília Palace Hotel: Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1958 on the shores of Lake Paranoá, Brazil's first historic hotel recognised by the Ministry of Tourism; reopened in 2006 after a fire.
Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada: On the shores of Lake Paranoá next to the Palácio da Alvorada, with three restaurants and two outdoor pools; among the highest scores in this guide.
Golden Tulip Brasília Alvorada: In the same complex as the Royal Tulip, architecture by Ruy Ohtake; more affordable for those who still want to stay by the lake.

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