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São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport

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São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport

São Paulo · Brazil · Airport code: GRU

47,188,085 passengers (2025)
Getting into town

Getting to São Paulo center

Airport FAQ

Just landed — what matters first

1How do I get from GRU airport to São Paulo by public transport—does the airport have a train or bus?

From GRU, the main rail option is the CPTM Line 13 (notably through Guarulhos–CPTM) connecting via São Paulo’s metro network. Airport bus routes also operate from terminals to city areas. Use official signs at arrival level.

2Where do I buy a SIM card or recharge at GRU after landing?

Look for operator kiosks and stores inside the arrivals hall and departures/landside areas of GRU’s terminals (T1 and T2). Common mobile operators have counters where you can buy a prepaid SIM or top up.

3Which terminal should I follow at GRU, and where are the arrivals exits?

GRU operates terminals T1 and T2. Follow the terminal signage for your flight on arrival level; exits lead to baggage reclaim areas, ground transportation pickup, and the parking/transport lanes. Confirm your terminal before leaving security.

4Where is the official taxi pickup at GRU, and how do I get a taxi into the city?

Use the official taxi rank at GRU located on the designated ground-transport area outside the terminals (follow signs for “Táxi”/“Taxis”). Licensed taxis are organized at the rank; board there rather than stopping cars curbside.

Built with data from OpenStreetMap contributors and Wikivoyage/Wikimedia.

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Nearby

Things to do near São Paulo

Avenida Paulista

Avenida Paulista is presented as one of São Paulo's most iconic postcards and a source of local pride. The guide describes it as both a major business center and probably the city's largest cultural area, with architecture that reflects the contrast between the city's old and new parts. Its surroundings are packed with galleries, theatres, cinemas, pubs, coffee shops, bookstores, hotels, and gourmet restaurants, making it a compact place to experience São Paulo's urban energy and nightlife.

Historic center

The Historic Center is described as an area that has gone through degradation but is gradually recovering through recent projects and investments. Even with remaining problems, it is singled out as unmissable because of its historical and cultural importance. Visitors can find landmarks from major periods of São Paulo's history, heavily crowded commercial streets, and a strong concentration of theatres and cultural activities, which together make it useful for understanding the city's past and present.

Rio Pinheiros river area

The Pinheiros river corridor is portrayed as one of the city's most interesting and beautiful stretches, despite the river itself being heavily polluted. On the east shore, skyscrapers define business districts such as Faria Lima, Brooklin Novo, and Vila Olímpia, along with the city's longest cycleway and lively nightlife. The west shore shows a stark social contrast, with the University of São Paulo alongside mansions, apartments, low-class suburbs, and favelas, while Ponte Octavio Frias stands out in the middle and the Line 9-Emerald makes the area easy to reach.

Parks

The parks section explains that São Paulo has a surprising amount of green space despite its concrete reputation, because Atlantic rainforest still covers large parts of the city and municipality. Many of these areas have been turned into public parks to protect them from irregular occupation. The guide groups parks into leisure, ecotourism, and mixed types, showing that the city offers everything from recreation-focused urban parks like Ibirapuera to more adventurous forested areas and quieter parks that combine nature with facilities.

Museums and cultural centers

São Paulo is described as the art center of Brazil, and the city has a wide range of museums and cultural centers to match that reputation. The guide highlights major institutions for size, architecture, and historical importance, including Museu do Ipiranga and Memorial da América Latina, and also points art lovers toward venues such as MASP, Pinacoteca do Estado, Instituto Tomio Ohtake, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and Museu de Arte Moderna. The section stresses that the city rewards museum-hopping across different districts.

Panoramic views

The guide notes that São Paulo is especially striking when seen from above and recommends setting aside time for sunset views because the city extends so far in every direction. The suggested viewpoints range from the Banespa Tower, with its observation deck and small museum, to the rooftop Skye restaurant at Hotel Unique and the São Paulo Jockey Club bars and restaurants overlooking the Pinheiros River. Together they offer different ways to appreciate the city's scale and skyline.

Explore the São Paulo guide →