Airport Guide to Guarulhos (GRU)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, officially called Governador Andre Franco Montoro International Airport, is Sao Paulo’s main international gateway. Located about 25km (18 miles) northeast of Sao Paulo, it is Brazil’s busiest airport, serving almost 27 million passengers in 2010. However, the airport was also rated as having the third-highest number of flight delays among major international airports, with 25 per cent of all flights experiencing delays greater than 15 minutes.

Fortunately, these frustrations should soon come to an end as the airport is undergoing extensive development in order to prepare for Brazil’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Plans include the construction of a third runway and a third terminal, as well as an express railway line linking Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International to the city centre.

Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is work in progress. Queues and delays are common and the terminals are in dire need of a makeover. Rest assured, though; 2014 will see the airport rising up to meet international airport standards.

Flights to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport come from destinations around the world, including Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Toronto, Beijing, Paris, Dubai, Los Angeles, Johannesburg and New York.

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Terminal Transfer

Both terminals are in close proximity to each other.

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Getting into Town

Bus: Shuttle buses travel from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International to Congonhas Airport, Praca da Republica (Downtown), the Paulista/Jardins region, Barra Funda bus station and Tiete bus station. A one-way ticket costs BRL 33 (£12). A regular city bus also runs from the airport to the Tatuape Metro station via Ayrton Senna at a more economic rate of BRL 3.80 (£1.40). Journey time is 30-50 minutes.

Taxi: Guarucoop operates a taxi service outside the Arrival Terminal. The journey can take up to two hours during peak daytime hours and 30 minutes in the early morning or late at night. Expect to pay between BRL 75-110 (£28-£42) depending on your destination.

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Car Parking

Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International has a parking capacity of 3,098 vehicles. Fees are BRL 7.50 (almost £3) for the first hour, BRL 2.50 (approximately £1) for the second hour, BRL 2 (£0.75) for the third hour, BRL 1.50 (£0.56) per hour for four to 16 hours and BLR 31.50 (nearly £12) for the day.

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Information Desks

Tourist information desks are situated on the Arrivals floor of Terminals 1 and 2. There is also an Infraero information desk in each terminal.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs, currency exchange facilities, public phones and a post office to help you stay in touch.

Luggage: There are left-luggage, lost-and-found and baggage-wrapping facilities available.

Conference and business: Business facilities offering access to telephones, fax machines and computers are located on the departures floor of the administration building. There are also VIP lounges and two conference rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people.

Other facilities: Locksmith, hairdresser, dental clinic, baby-changing tables, pharmacies and a medical post.

Wi-Fi: There is Wi-Fi available in both terminals, but it can be expensive.

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