Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport
São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport sits roughly 25 kilometres north-east of central São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Latin America. The airport opened in 1985, replacing Congonhas as the region's main long-haul facility while Congonhas continued handling domestic traffic.
Overview
São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport sits roughly 25 kilometres north-east of central São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Latin America. The airport opened in 1985, replacing Congonhas as the region's main long-haul facility while Congonhas continued handling domestic traffic.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
GOL Linhas Aéreas and LATAM Brasil use Guarulhos as a primary hub, making it their main base for both domestic and intercontinental operations. Azul Brazilian Airlines also maintains a significant presence. Major international carriers from Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia serve the airport regularly.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates three passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle the majority of domestic and international flights, while Terminal 3, a more modern structure, accommodates additional capacity. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west serve the airfield. The airport operates around the clock with no curfew, and infrastructure upgrades have been ongoing since its privatisation in 2012.
Connections through GRU need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare GRU against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Rio De Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Buenos Aires. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport without guesswork
Plan GRU around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Sao Paulo to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at GRU. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates three passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle the majority of domestic and international flights, while Terminal 3, a more modern structure, accommodates additional capacity. Two parall
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for GRU
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for GRU.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at GRU. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates three passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle the majority of domestic and international flights, while Terminal 3, a more modern structure, accommodates additional capacity. Two parall
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from GRU
Compare the carriers connected with GRU, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from GRU
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at GRU
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersSao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at GRU.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Sao Paulo can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at GRU depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around GRU can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Brazil
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Brazil.
FAQ
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil (South America), at coordinates -23.430°, -46.480°.
- Its IATA code is GRU and its ICAO code is SBGR.
- Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport serves Sao Paulo, Brazil. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport operates on America/Sao_Paulo local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport sits at latitude -23.430° and longitude -46.480°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from GRU include Delta Air Lines, Gol Transportes Aéreos, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Avianca Brazil, United Airlines, Silk Avia and 7 more.
- Tracked destinations from GRU include Rio De Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Buenos Aires, spread across 2 countries.
- Its address is s/nº Rod. Hélio Smidt, São Paulo, 07190-100, Brazil, the phone number is +55 11 2445-2945, the official website is http://www.gru.com.br/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Brazil. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.