Owais Crawford
São Paulo has two airports: Guarulhos and Congonhas. Guarulhos, officially known as São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport, is the primary international airport serving São Paulo, while Congonhas is a domestic-only airport. Guarulhos Airport is the largest airport in Brazil and one of the largest in the world. It has been described as dispiritingly crowded and transportation hell, but it has also been ranked highly in surveys for long layovers and punctuality. Congonhas Airport, on the other hand, is much smaller and only handles domestic flights. It is located just 5 miles south of downtown São Paulo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports in São Paulo | 2 |
| Names of Airports | Guarulhos (GRU), Congonhas (CGH) |
| Airport Focus | Guarulhos: International, Congonhas: Domestic |
| Location | Guarulhos: 8 km from downtown São Paulo, Congonhas: 5 miles south of downtown São Paulo |
| Transport Options | Taxi, Bus, Train, Tram, Subway, Car, Uber |
| Number of Terminals | Guarulhos: 2, Congonhas: 1 |
| Runway Information | Guarulhos: 2 parallel runways, Congonhas: N/A |
| Accolades | Ranked first among the most punctual large airports in the world by Cirium Aviation in 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
São Paulo has two airports: Guarulhos and Congonhas
Congonhas Airport, on the other hand, is a domestic-only airport located just 5 miles south of downtown São Paulo. It serves as a hub for state carrier LATAM Brasil and handles flights by low-cost airlines such as Gol Airlines and Azul Brazilian Airlines. Congonhas is also accessible by bus, taxi, Uber, or tram. It is the best airport to land in if you want to get to the city centre as quickly as possible.
Both airports are known for being crowded and sometimes frustrating due to inadequate facilities and labour disputes. However, they are major hubs for Brazilian airlines, so it is essential to learn to navigate them efficiently.
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Guarulhos is the primary international airport
São Paulo has two airports: Guarulhos and Congonhas. Guarulhos Airport, officially known as São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport, is the primary international airport serving São Paulo. It is the largest airport in Brazil and one of the largest in the world. It is commonly known as Cumbica Airport, after the district where it is located, or simply Guarulhos Airport, after the municipality of Guarulhos, where it is located. The airport has also been rebranded as GRU Airport.
Guarulhos is Brazil's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, aircraft operations, and cargo handled. It is also one of the world's most punctual large airports. The airport has two runways and two terminals, with plans for a third terminal since 2001. The airport is located 8 km from downtown São Paulo and is accessible by bus, taxi, train, and car.
The airport has been described as "dispiritingly crowded" and "transportation hell" by some travellers, with reports of "decrepit, inadequate facilities" and "frequent labour disputes". However, others have found it relatively easy to navigate, with one traveller commenting that it is a "breeze" compared to Heathrow or CDG.
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Congonhas is the domestic-only airport
São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, has two airports: Guarulhos and Congonhas. Congonhas is the domestic-only airport, located just five miles south of downtown São Paulo. It is also known as Aeroporto de São Paulo/Congonhas and is the closest airport to the city centre. Congonhas Airport handles over 21 million passengers and serves as a hub for state carrier LATAM Brasil, as well as low-cost airlines like Gol Airlines and Azul Brazilian Airlines.
Congonhas is accessible by car, bus, taxi, metro, or transfer from the city centre. Bus 675I-10 connects Congonhas to the São Judas subway station, and the journey takes around 20 minutes. Taxis are also readily available at the airport and throughout the city, although most drivers speak little English. Additionally, GOL and LATAM airlines offer a shuttle service between Congonhas and Guarulhos airports for passengers with connecting flights.
Congonhas Airport has been described as crowded and frustrating, with inadequate facilities and frequent labour disputes. However, as a major hub for Brazilian airlines, it is a convenient option for travellers to and from São Paulo. When planning a trip to or from Congonhas, it is essential to consider factors such as your departure point, the purpose of your visit, and your accommodation location.
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Guarulhos has been rated highly in airport rankings
São Paulo's Guarulhos Airport, officially known as São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport, has been rated highly in several airport rankings. While it is considered one of the largest airports in the world, Guarulhos has been recognised for its punctuality and efficiency.
In 2021, the airport was chosen by Club Med as one of the 35 best in the world for long layovers. Subsequently, in 2024, a survey by Cirium Aviation ranked Guarulhos first among the most punctual large airports globally and second in the "Global" category. That same year, it was named one of the best airports in the world by AirHelp.
Guarulhos Airport is the primary international airport serving São Paulo, Brazil. It is the busiest airport in the country in terms of passenger traffic, aircraft operations, and cargo handled. The airport features two parallel runways and two passenger terminals, with plans for expansion.
Despite being criticised for its crowds and inadequate facilities, Guarulhos has been acknowledged for its strategic location and efficient operations, earning its place as one of the top-rated airports in recent years.
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Transport options to/from the airport include bus, taxi, train, and subway
São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, is served by two airports: Guarulhos (GRU) and Congonhas (CGH). The former is the primary international airport serving São Paulo, the largest airport in Brazil, and one of the largest in the world. The latter is a domestic-only airport.
Bus
Multiple bus services operate from the airport, with the 257 route being the most efficient option. This bus connects you with Terminal Metrô Tatuapé Norte in about 55 minutes. The average waiting time for the bus is 1 hour. Tickets cost about €1.20 (BRL 7.70) and can be purchased from the EMTU information desk inside each terminal, from the driver, or online from the EMTU website.
The Airport Bus Service (www.airportbusservice.com.br, about $17.50 each way) connects Guarulhos with major hotels, the main bus terminal, São Paulo’s various business districts, and Congonhas airport. The journey time is 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Taxi
Taking a taxi from São Paulo Airport to the city centre is one of the fastest and most hassle-free transport options. Guarucoop is the exclusive provider of taxi services from the airport, but any cab company may drop passengers off at Guarulhos. Taxi cabs can be obtained easily at the airport, at pontos de taxi throughout the city, or by telephone service. Most drivers speak very little English. Taxis between Guarulhos and central São Paulo cost about $70 to $80 one way, regardless of traffic (journey time is somewhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours).
Train
The Airport Express train is a popular option among budget-conscious travellers. To get to the São Paulo Airport train station, you must first catch a free shuttle from the airport, which takes between 10 and 15 minutes. The train then takes you to the city in around 30 minutes, making the total journey time roughly 45 minutes. Tickets are incredibly affordable at €0.80 (BRL 5) and can be purchased using a debit or credit card from the vending machines in the station.
Subway
Congonhas airport is connected to the São Judas subway station via bus 675I-10 (about $1.50 one way, journey time is roughly 20 minutes).
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Frequently asked questions
São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport, commonly known as São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, or Guarulhos Airport, is the primary international airport serving São Paulo.
Congonhas Airport is the other airport in São Paulo, which handles domestic flights only.
São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport is located 8 km from downtown São Paulo, whereas Congonhas Airport is only 5 miles south of downtown São Paulo.
To get to the city centre from Guarulhos Airport, you can take a train (line 13) which takes about 45 minutes, or a bus which takes about an hour. From Congonhas Airport, you can take a bus, taxi, Uber, or tram to the centre.
São Paulo's airports are known for being crowded and chaotic, with inadequate facilities and frequent labour disputes. However, Guarulhos Airport has been recognised as one of the best airports in the world by Cirium Aviation and AirHelp. It offers a variety of transportation options, including taxis, buses, and luxury car hire services. There are also hotels located near the airport, such as Fast Sleep and Marriott.
