São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport

São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), officially named Aeroporto Internacional de São Paulo/Guarulhos – Governador André Franco Montoro, is the busiest airport in South America. Located 25 km northeast of São Paulo's city center, GRU handles over 40 million passengers annually and serves as the primary hub for LATAM Brasil.

The airport has three terminals arranged in a linear configuration:

• Terminal 1: Domestic flights (GOL, Azul, some LATAM domestic)
• Terminal 2: Main international terminal and LATAM Brasil hub. Handles most long-haul flights and premium services.
• Terminal 3: Additional domestic and some international flights (primarily Azul)

Important note: São Paulo has a second major airport, Congonhas (CGH), located much closer to the city center (8 km south). Many domestic flights, especially business shuttles to Rio de Janeiro, operate from CGH. Always verify which airport your flight uses.

All terminals at GRU are connected via a free inter-terminal shuttle bus and covered walkways. The terminals are within walking distance of each other (10-15 minutes end-to-end).

GRU is located 25 km (15 miles) northeast of central São Paulo. Journey times vary dramatically based on traffic:

Destination	Off-Peak	Peak Hours
Paulista Avenue	30-45 min	60-120 min
Downtown (Centro)	25-40 min	50-90 min
Congonhas Airport (CGH)	35-50 min	75-150 min
Pinheiros/Vila Madalena	35-50 min	60-120 min

Traffic warning: São Paulo traffic is notorious. Rush hours (7-10 AM, 5-9 PM) can more than double travel times. The Marginal Tietê highway connecting the airport to the city frequently experiences severe congestion.

For time-sensitive trips, consider the Airport Bus Service or plan travel during off-peak hours.

Uber and 99 (a Brazilian rideshare app owned by DiDi) are widely available at GRU. 99 is often cheaper and very popular locally.

Pickup locations:

• Terminal 1: Ground floor, follow "Aplicativos" signs
• Terminal 2: Ground floor, designated rideshare pickup zone
• Terminal 3: Follow signs to the rideshare waiting area

Typical fares to central São Paulo:

Destination	Uber/99 Fare	Notes
Paulista Avenue	R$80-140 (~$16-28 USD)	Higher during surge pricing
Downtown (Centro)	R$70-120 (~$14-24 USD)	Traffic-dependent
Pinheiros	R$90-160 (~$18-32 USD)	Western zone
Congonhas Airport	R$120-200 (~$24-40 USD)	Can take 1-2 hours in traffic

Wait times average 5-15 minutes. During peak hours or rain, expect longer waits and surge pricing.

Official Airport Taxis (Guarucoop) use regulated meters:

• Pickup at designated taxi stands outside each terminal
• Typical fare to Paulista: R$150-200 (~$30-40 USD)
• A safer option than street taxis; all drivers are registered

Tip: Download the 99 app before arrival. It works similarly to Uber but often has better availability and pricing in Brazil.

Airport Bus Service (Recommended)

The Airport Bus Service operates express buses to key São Paulo destinations. This is the most reliable public transit option.

Main routes:

To Paulista Avenue (Av. Paulista):

• Fare: R$55-65 (~$11-13 USD)
• Duration: 60-90 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Frequency: Every 30-40 minutes
• Stops: Major hotels along Paulista, near metro stations

To Congonhas Airport (CGH):

• Fare: R$55-60 (~$11-12 USD)
• Duration: 60-120 minutes (highly traffic-dependent)
• Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes

To Barra Funda Bus Terminal:

• Fare: R$55 (~$11 USD)
• Duration: 45-75 minutes
• Connection: Barra Funda metro station (Lines 3-Red and CPTM)

How to use:

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to "Ônibus Aeroporto" or "Airport Bus Service"
2. Purchase tickets at the Airport Bus Service counter or pay onboard
3. Buses depart from the ground floor outside each terminal
4. Luggage storage available in the bus compartment

Tip: The Airport Bus Service website and app allow advance booking.

Metro Connection

GRU does not have a direct metro connection. The nearest metro access is via the Airport Bus Service to Barra Funda or Tatuapé stations, or via taxi/rideshare.

A planned rail connection (Trem Intercidades) to central São Paulo has been discussed for years but is not yet operational.

Regular City Buses

City buses (EMTU) connect GRU to metro stations but are slower and less convenient for tourists with luggage. The Airport Bus Service is recommended over regular city buses.

GRU offers multiple parking options:

Terminal Parking

Lot	Location	Hourly Rate	Daily Max
P1	Terminal 1	R$18/hr	R$72/day
P2	Terminal 2	R$18/hr	R$72/day
P3	Terminal 3	R$18/hr	R$72/day

Economy Parking

Lot	Daily Rate	Notes
E1/E2 (Economy)	R$52/day	Free shuttle, 5-10 min to terminals

Tips:

• Book online at the GRU Airport website for discounts (up to 30% off)
• First 10 minutes free for drop-off/pickup
• Covered parking available at terminal lots

Cell phone lot: Free waiting area for drivers picking up passengers, located near the access road.

GRU has improved its dining options significantly. Terminal 2 has the best selection.

Terminal 1:

• Viena: Brazilian-style cafeteria, good for quick meals
• Spoleto: Italian pasta and salads
• McDonald's: Fast food standard

Terminal 2 (best variety):

• Coco Bambu: Upscale Brazilian seafood restaurant
• Outback Steakhouse: Australian-themed steakhouse
• Viena Express: Brazilian comfort food
• Starbucks: Coffee and light fare
• Pão de Queijo shops: Brazilian cheese bread (a must-try)
• Açaí bars: Fresh açaí bowls

Terminal 3:

• Giraffas: Brazilian fast food chain
• Subway: Sandwiches
• Limited options compared to Terminal 2

Must-try local foods:

• Pão de queijo: Cheese bread, available at multiple cafés
• Coxinha: Fried chicken croquette
• Açaí: Amazonian berry bowl
• Guaraná Antarctica: Brazilian soft drink

Tip: If you have time, Terminal 2's food court on the departure level offers the widest variety and best quality.

Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals.

Network name: "GRU Airport Free WiFi"

How to connect:

1. Select the network
2. Open your browser
3. Register with email or social media account
4. Accept terms of service

Details:

• Free session: Unlimited duration
• Speed: Adequate for browsing and email; variable for streaming
• Coverage: Throughout all terminals, though signal can be weaker in some gate areas

Tip: Lounge WiFi is faster and more reliable for heavy usage.

Brazilian SIM cards are available at the airport:

Locations:

• Vivo stores in Terminals 1 and 2
• TIM kiosk in Terminal 2
• Claro presence in Terminal 2

Major carriers:

• Vivo: Best nationwide coverage
• Claro: Good urban coverage, competitive pricing
• TIM: Popular for prepaid plans
• Oi: Budget option

Typical costs:

• Prepaid SIM with 10-15GB data: R$50-80 (~$10-16 USD)
• Tourist packages with 30 days validity available

Requirements: Passport and Brazilian CPF number may be requested (though some carriers sell tourist SIMs without CPF).

Tip: Consider ordering an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) before departure. Brazilian airport SIM prices are reasonable, but eSIM avoids any registration hassle.

ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) are located throughout all terminals:

Major banks with ATMs at GRU:

• Banco do Brasil
• Bradesco
• Itaú
• Santander
• Banco24Horas network (accepts international cards)

Tips:

• Banco24Horas ATMs are the most reliable for international cards (Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus)
• Typical withdrawal limit: R$1,000-1,500 per transaction
• ATM fees: R$15-25 per withdrawal plus your bank's foreign transaction fee
• Choose to be charged in Brazilian Reais (BRL), not your home currency, for better rates

Currency Exchange:

• Multiple exchange bureaus in arrivals and departure areas
• Rates are poor (8-15% markup typical)
• Better to use ATMs or exchange a small amount for immediate needs

Credit cards: Widely accepted in São Paulo. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. American Express has more limited acceptance.

GRU offers duty-free shopping for international travelers and general retail.

Duty-free (Dufry):

• Locations in Terminal 2 international departures
• Brazilian cachaça, coffee, and Havaianas are popular purchases
• Cosmetics, electronics, and luxury goods available

Terminal 2 (best shopping):

• Havaianas: Iconic Brazilian flip-flops
• Livraria Cultura: Books and magazines
• Granado: Brazilian cosmetics and perfumes
• Hudson News: Travel essentials

Terminal 1:

• Limited retail
• Basic convenience stores

Brazilian specialties to buy:

• Cachaça: Brazilian sugarcane spirit for caipirinhas
• Brazilian coffee: High-quality beans
• Havaianas: Genuine flip-flops at good prices
• Brigadeiros: Chocolate truffles (Kopenhagen brand)
• Açaí products: Powders and frozen packs (check customs rules)

Tip: Duty-free prices on Brazilian products are competitive. Cachaça and coffee make excellent gifts.

GRU has several lounge options, with most concentrated in Terminal 2.

Priority Pass Lounges

Terminal 2 (International):

• Plaza Premium Lounge: Located after immigration in the international departures area. Hot food, showers, WiFi. Can be crowded during peak departure times (evening Europe flights).

Terminal 1:

• GOL Premium Lounge: Priority Pass accepted. Basic amenities, limited food.

Airline Lounges

LATAM VIP Lounge (Terminal 2):

• Access: LATAM Premium Business, LATAM Pass Black/Platinum, Oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
• Quality: Good food including Brazilian dishes, showers, business facilities
• Hours: Opens early for morning departures

Star Alliance Lounge (Terminal 2):

• Access: Star Alliance Gold, Business/First class on Star Alliance carriers
• Quality: Solid international lounge with decent food and drinks

Azul Lounge (Terminal 1):

• Access: Azul premium passengers, TudoAzul elite members
• Smaller lounge with basic amenities

Credit Card Lounges

• American Express Centurion Lounge: GRU does not currently have a Centurion Lounge
• Mastercard/Visa lounges: Not currently at GRU

Day Passes

Plaza Premium sells day passes when capacity allows, typically R$200-250 (~$40-50 USD). Book through LoungeBuddy or at the lounge entrance.

At the Airport:

• GRU Airport Hotel (Pullman): Located inside Terminal 2, directly connected to the terminal. Walk to check-in in minutes. Ideal for early departures or long layovers. Rooms from R$400/night (~$80 USD).

• Slaviero Essential GRU Airport: Connected to Terminal 1 via walkway. Modern business hotel. Rooms from R$300/night (~$60 USD).

Near the Airport (shuttle or short taxi):

• Hilton São Paulo Morumbi: 25-30 min from airport, in the business district. Full-service hotel.
• Mercure Guarulhos: 10-minute drive, free airport shuttle. Budget-friendly.
• Marriott São Paulo Airport: Near the airport, convenient for early flights.
• ibis Guarulhos: Budget option, 10-minute drive from terminals.

In São Paulo (for layovers with time to explore):

• Hotels on Paulista Avenue: Central location, near restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions. 45-90 min from GRU depending on traffic.
• Jardins neighborhood: Upscale area with excellent restaurants and boutiques.

Tip: For very early departures (before 7 AM), staying at the Pullman inside Terminal 2 is worth the premium for convenience.

São Paulo is South America's largest city with over 20 million people in the metropolitan area. It offers world-class dining, culture, and nightlife.

Getting around São Paulo:

• Metro: Clean, efficient, and safe. Covers most tourist areas.
• Uber/99: Widely available and affordable
• Walking: Best in specific neighborhoods (Paulista, Jardins, Vila Madalena)
• Traffic: Avoid rush hours if possible (7-10 AM, 5-9 PM)

Top attractions (with transit time from airport):

• Paulista Avenue (45-90 min): São Paulo's main avenue with museums (MASP, Japan House), shopping, and people-watching
• Ibirapuera Park (50-100 min): Massive urban park with museums, running paths, and cultural spaces
• Mercado Municipal (40-80 min): Historic market with amazing fruits, pastéis, and mortadella sandwiches
• Pinacoteca (40-80 min): Excellent Brazilian art museum
• Vila Madalena (50-90 min): Bohemian neighborhood with street art, bars, and live music

Neighborhoods to explore:

• Jardins: Upscale shopping and dining
• Vila Madalena: Street art, bars, bohemian atmosphere
• Liberdade: Japanese neighborhood with authentic Asian food
• Centro: Historic downtown, São Paulo Cathedral, Edifício Itália viewpoint

Day trips:

• Campos do Jordão (2.5 hours): Mountain town, Swiss-style architecture
• Santos (1.5 hours): Beach city, Pelé Museum
• Embu das Artes (40 min): Artisan market town

Food and drink:

• Feijoada: Traditional black bean and pork stew (best on Saturdays)
• Churrasco: Brazilian steakhouse barbecue (rodízio style)
• Coxinha: Fried chicken croquette
• Caipirinha: National cocktail made with cachaça, lime, and sugar
• Pastel: Fried pastry with various fillings (try at Mercado Municipal)

Safety tips:

• São Paulo is a major city with typical urban safety concerns
• Use ride-sharing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially with electronics
• Tourist areas (Paulista, Jardins, Ibirapuera) are generally safe during the day
• Leave valuables in hotel safes when exploring

Weather: São Paulo has a mild, subtropical climate. Summers (Dec-Feb) are warm and rainy. Winters (Jun-Aug) are mild and drier. Pack layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day.

Currency: The Brazilian Real (R$) is the local currency. As of 2025, approximately R$5 = $1 USD. Credit cards are widely accepted.