São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU), commonly known as just São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport or shorter versions of it, but also called Cumbica Airport, is Brazil's busiest and the second busiest in South America.
The airport is located 25 km northeast of downtown São Paulo in the municipality of Guarulhos.
In 2024, GRU handled over 43 million passengers, making it one of the 60 busiest airports in the world. From São Paulo, you can fly directly to more than 100 destinations across more than 30 countries.
Major Airlines - Gol Linhas Aéreas, LATAM Brasil
GRU is a hub for the Brazilian flag carrier, LATAM Brasil, and the largest domestic airline, the low-cost Gol Linhas Aéreas. Together, they handle the overwhelming majority of flights at GRU and serve the most destinations, both within the country and internationally.
São Paulo Airport is also a focus city for Azul Brazilian Airlines, which provides cheaper air fares to underserved regions of Brazil. It is the sole airline using Terminal 1.
Of the airlines connecting the South American continent, prominent ones include the Argentine Aerolíneas Argentinas and Flybondi, the Colombian Avianca, the Bolivian Boliviana de Aviación, and the other subsidiaries of the LATAM brand: LATAM Peru, LATAM Chile, LATAM Colombia, and LATAM Paraguay.
GRU is also very well connected to the world at large. Big airlines such as Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, United, Delta, and Air Canada provide frequent direct flights to numerous destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
In total, over 30 airlines serve São Paulo/Guarulhos.
Terminal Layout and Gates of GRU
GRU has three terminals:
Terminal 1: Handles only domestic flights by Azul Brazilian Airlines.
- Terminal 2: This is the main terminal for domestic and Latin American flights. It is both the oldest and the largest. It is further split into 2 piers:
West Pier: Handles only domestic flights from 16 gates.
East Pier: Operates both domestic and international flights from 13 gates.
Terminal 3: This is the newest and most modern terminal, and it handles most long‑haul and LATAM flights with its 22 gates.
Terminals 2 and 3 are connected via a walkway. T1 has no direct link, and you need to use the shuttle bus to reach it. The shuttle bus is free and links all three terminals at a frequency of every ~15 minutes between 4 AM and midnight.
An automated people mover is under construction with a tangible date of completion in 2025. It will connect the railway station with all 3 terminals.
Connecting Flights and Transit at São Paulo
São Paulo Airport has an international transit zone that simplifies connecting flights. If both of your flights are international, under the same reservation, and you don’t intend to enter Brazil, you may remain within this transit zone, and your checked-in luggage will be transferred to your next flight. You don’t have to go through Immigration or check in again. The minimum connecting time in this case is 60 minutes.
If your transit is International‑to‑domestic, you must clear immigration and customs in Terminal 3, then proceed to re‑check bags at Terminal 2 via the walkway or the shuttle. For this, you will need 105 minutes as a minimum. The other way around, i.e., domestic-to-international connection, requires 45 minutes because your luggage will be checked through to your final destination.
For a connection between two domestic flights, you just need to go to your new gate. Assume that the minimum connection time is 45 minutes.
If you have a longer layover in GRU, you may visit some of the best places in São Paulo.
Free Wi‑Fi at GRU
Free high‑speed Wi‑Fi is available airport-wide for the first 4 hours of use.
Connect to “.GRU WIFI” to access. Registration requires phone/email. The initial connection lasts for 2 hours, after which you can reconnect for another 2.
Dining Options at São Paulo/Guarulhos
Across all terminals, GRU offers more than 300 dining and retail outlets. Just in December of 2024 alone, 54 new eateries were added. While you will find a variety of places in each terminal, T3 stands out with more options and a wider choice.
Options range from Brazilian chains and fast‑food to bars and cafés. Here are some recommendations:
Terminal 1 has a Heineken Bar, a Subway, Casa do Pão de Queijo, Sushi Station – By Nagarê, Rei do Mate, and Nutty Bavarian, all located on the Boarding Floor. Given that it’s used by a single airline and has only domestic flights, it’s a surprising number of options.
Terminal 2 houses the bars Heineken and On The Rocks in its Public Area, and Bleriot (the only 24/7 bar option) plus another outlet of Heineken in the Restricted area. For food, you have a huge number of delis, fast food joints, and restaurants to choose from, including Mr. Baker, Gendai, and TGI Fridays, all in the West Pier.
Terminal 3, the international terminal and the most modern one, unsurprisingly, offers the most options. Check out the cafes Café Kopenhagen, Starbucks, and Rei do Mate before Security, or grab something quick from Carl’s Jr, Bob’s, or Baked Potato in the Mezzanine (also Public Area).
In the international transit zone (Airside, after Security), you can go to Margarita Ville (12 PM to 12 AM) or Pizza Hut (24/7) for a sit-down restaurant experience, or choose from one of the dozens of smaller eateries and cafes.
Lounges at GRU
There are 24 VIP lounges across all terminals, offering features like full buffets, à‑la‑carte menus, kids’ areas, showers, and various other amenities.
In Terminal 1, you will find the W Lounge in the Mezzanine. It stays open 24/7. It participates in Lounge Key, Priority Pass, Visa Airport Companion, and Dragonpass, as well as various local credit cards. For everyone else, the entrance fee is 200 BRL (~36 USD).
Terminal 2 has an impressive 11 lounges:
Plaza Premium Lounge: Located in Domestic Departures, open from 5 AM until 11 PM to all passengers for a fee of 215 BRL (3-hour access).
Plaza Premium Lounge Landside: Located near Check-in D and open every day from 5 AM to 10 PM. All travelers can enter for a fee of 175 BRL for a 3-hour pass.
Domestic GOL Premium Lounge: Located in the Mezzanine and open from 6 AM to 12 PM daily. It’s a more upscale lounge, offering premium features to first or business-class passengers of several airlines (not only domestic ones) and members of lounge programs.
International GOL Premium Lounge: Open from 5 AM to 1 AM in the International Boarding Area. Similar to the domestic lounge, it offers complimentary access to premium members of several airlines and clients of membership programs.
Bradesco VIP Lounge: Temporarily closed, otherwise located in the Domestic area of the terminal. Holders of various credit cards can enter this lounge.
Urban Cowork Airport: Located near Check-in E, on the second floor. This lounge is open 24 hours and includes shower facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, lockers, workstations, booths, and coffee and snacks. It’s perfect for those with longer layovers who don’t want to leave the airport. Entrance depends on duration of stay: 145 BRL for 3 hours, 210 BRL for 6 hours, and 320 BRL for 12 hours, with discounts for two people. The lounge accepts Priority Pass and Lounge Key.
Advantage VIP Lounge: Another Domestic lounge, open 24 hours per day. It accepts Lounge Key and Priority Pass members; otherwise, a single entry is 180 BRL per person. It’s one of GRU’s newest lounges, and its hot buffet is perhaps one of the best available.
W Premium Lounge: This lounge is open 24/7 and introduces a new lounge concept in T2 with premium features and a complete airport experience. It’s open to various membership program members or direct partners, but anyone can enter for a fee of 220 BRL.
The Lounge São Paulo: Located in the restricted area of the domestic side, this lounge is open 24 hours per day to serve Priority Pass and Lounge Key members, or those who want to buy access at a fee of 200 BRL. Uniquely, the lounge does not impose a time limit on stays. It offers à la carte breakfast menus, lunch and snacks service, and fresh food prepared from the kitchen. There are gender-separated showers.
The Lounge Skyteam: Located shortly after Passport Control in the International area of the terminal. It’s also open 24/7 for holders of Priority Pass and Lounge Key, passengers of Skyteam airlines, and anyone who pays the entrance fee of 200 BRL.
VIP Lounge Inter: An exclusive lounge in the domestic area, open 24/7, open to holders of Inter's Mastercard Black and Win cards. It features complimentary food, beverages (alcoholic and not), and shower facilities.
Terminal 3 houses some of the best lounges not only at the airport, but also in the world. Some of the largest airlines have a lounge presence at T3.
American Airlines Admirals Club: Located on the mezzanine above duty-free in Terminal 3. Open daily from 10:15 AM to 10:45 PM. Access is granted to premium members of the various American Airlines membership programs and oneworld first/business passengers, or by paying 79 USD for a day pass.
American Express Centurion Lounge: Located on the mezzanine right after security and passport control, and open daily from 11 AM to 3 AM. This lounge is exclusive to American Express Centurion and Platinum cardholders, for whom entry is free.
Bradesco Cartões Lounge: Found on the mezzanine level in the first-floor boarding hall and open 24 hours a day. Holders of various credit cards can enter for free.
Espaço Banco Safra: Located on the mezzanine after passport control. Open 24/7. Access via Priority Pass or first/business class passengers flying with several eligible airlines, but pay-per-use is also available for 45 USD.
LATAM VIP Lounge: Located near Gates 301 and 302, on the second floor and open 24/7. LATAM Pass Premium and Black members, LATAM first/business class passengers, and oneworld elite members can enter for free. Has impeccable showers and well-rated food options.
Mastercard Black VIP Lounge: Located in the mezzanine/boarding area. Open from about 10 am to 11:30 pm daily. Access is available to Mastercard Black cardholders issued in Brazil, Argentina, or Chile.
Nomad Lounge: Located next to Gate 303. Open 24 hours a day. Only those with a Nomad Pass membership can enter.
Visa Infinite Lounge: Found airside after security control. Open 24/7. Entry is free for Visa Infinite cardholders.
W Premium Lounge (“The Pier” and “5th Avenue”): Both lounges are located in the central boarding area - “The Pier” is to the right of Security, whereas “5th Avenue” is near the duty-free area. Both are open 24 hours, with a maximum stay of 3 hours. Access is available through Priority Pass, LoungeKey, Diners Club, and various card partnerships, or direct payment of 290 BRL.
Transport to and from GRU
Various modes of ground transportation are available to passengers traveling between the airport and the city.
Buses and shuttles are ubiquitous: there are EMTU buses, airport shuttles, and long‑distance coaches that serve São Paulo, Congonhas airport, and regional destinations.
Worth mentioning are lines 258, 472, 472EX1, and 316 that terminate at various places around São Paulo. You can take them at East Arrivals of the Bus Terminal in front of Terminal 2 and buy tickets from either the manned counter or the self-service totem at T2 or T3.
EMTU buses include lines 257 and 538, whereas the Guarulhos Municipal Buses serving GRU are lines 172, 331, and 488.
Gol Airlines and LATAM offer free bus transfers between Guarulhos and Congonhas airports at regular times.
The airport got connected by rail in 2018 when it became the first major South American airport with a direct rail link. The Airport-Guarulhos Station serves the airport as part of line 13 of the CPTM. This line connects GRU Airport to Engenheiro Goulart station, from where you can transfer to Line 12 of the São Paulo metro network. The line operates from 4:00 AM to 12:00 AM every day (1 AM on Saturdays).
A fleet of 650 taxis operated by the taxi cooperative Guarucoop serves GRU airport. Rates are standardized and depend on distance. You can get a taxi in front of any of the terminals. A trip to the city costs approximately 60-100 BRL with a journey time of 15-30 minutes.
Uber also operates at the airport, offering ride-share services from designated pick-up locations. Rates are comparable to taxis.
Car rental agencies have on‑site counters at each terminal. Companies include Localiza, Movida, Unidas, Turbi (only T2), and beepbeep (only T2).
Lastly, if you’re looking for a more private option, check out these offers for a private transfer from São Paulo/Guarulhos Airport.
Parking at São Paulo Guarulhos Airport
GRU offers a few different parking options depending on your intended stay and budget preferences.
Express Short‑term: For quick drop-offs, right in front of the terminal. The first 20 minutes are free.
Standard: Available near Terminals 1 and 2 with rates suitable for both short and long stays. The first hour costs 29 BRL, with subsequent hours costing progressively less. The daily rate is just 76 BRL, and it also drops with additional days.
Premium/Flex: Located between Terminals 2 and 3. It has slightly higher rates than Standard. The first hour costs 36 BRL (additional hours cost less), and the daily rate is capped at 104 BRL.
Private parking lots outside the airport offer even cheaper daily rates (starting at 20 BRL) and free shuttle service to any terminal, making them a great alternative for longer stays, even if not within the airport grounds.
You can pay on departure using cash or card, or pre-book your parking online.
Hotels near Guarulhos/São Paulo
Nearby accommodation includes airport hotels and those in Guarulhos.
The hotels within the airport are ideal for transit and early flights, but have higher rates. They include The Tryp by Wyndham São Paulo Guarulhos Airport in the Transit Area of Terminal 3, Fast Sleep - Rest and Bath in the public area of Terminal 2, and the Fast Sleep - Suites in the West Arrivals area of Terminal 2.
Outside the airport grounds, you will find many more hotels. A good upscale choice is the Pullman - São Paulo Guarulhos Airport, located mere minutes away from the terminals and offering a complimentary shuttle back and forth. It’s a 5-star hotel well worth its rating and always striving for maximum guest satisfaction.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
