São Paulo has two main airports and the choice between them matters as much as how you get into the city. Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), around 30 kilometres north-east of the centre, handles most long-haul international flights and is connected by a dedicated commuter rail line. Congonhas (CGH), just 8 kilometres south of the centre, serves domestic routes and is far quicker to reach. Here is how to get from each into São Paulo without losing half your day to traffic.
Guarulhos (GRU): the Linha 13-Jade train
The best addition to São Paulo's transport infrastructure in recent years is the Linha 13-Jade, a dedicated CPTM (Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos) commuter rail line connecting GRU directly to the urban rail network. The service runs from a terminal station at the airport to Engenheiro Goulart on Linha 12 Safira, where you transfer onto the metro network proper.
From Engenheiro Goulart, Linha 12 takes you into the city, connecting at Brás to several other lines including Linha 3 Vermelha (the main east-west metro line through Paulista, República and Sé). The whole airport-to-Paulista journey by train typically takes around 50–70 minutes depending on your final destination, and it sidesteps the notorious GRU-to-city traffic entirely.
Fares are integrated with the São Paulo Metro and CPTM system — you use the same Bilhete Único smart card. The cost is very affordable by international standards. Trains run fairly frequently during the day, with reduced service in the early hours. A Bilhete Único card can be purchased and loaded at the station inside the terminal.
Transfer at Engenheiro Goulart: This is an above-ground station and the transfer to Linha 12 involves following signage — it is not complex but can be confusing on a first visit. Allow a few extra minutes, especially if you have large luggage.
For travellers headed to Paulista Avenue, Consolação, Pinheiros or Jardins, the train is not just the cheapest but often the fastest option — it is almost immune to the paralysing traffic that can add hours to a taxi journey from GRU at the wrong time of day.
Guarulhos: the Airport Bus Service
The Airport Bus Service (sometimes branded as Particular Bus or by its operator name) is a dedicated coach service connecting GRU with key points in the city. Key stops on the main routes include Avenida Paulista, the Tietê Bus Terminal (the main long-distance bus station), and in some cases the domestic Congonhas Airport itself — useful if you are connecting between the two airports without going to the centre.
The bus runs frequently, is air-conditioned, has luggage space and dedicated seats, and fares are set at a fixed rate — considerably lower than a taxi, somewhat higher than the Linha 13 train. Journey time to Paulista is typically 60–90 minutes in moderate traffic but can stretch beyond two hours in the worst congestion. The bus uses the main expressway from the airport and is subject to the same peak-hour slowdowns as other road traffic.
The Airport Bus Service works well if your destination is close to one of its stops, or if you are connecting to Tietê to catch a long-distance bus onward. It is less useful if you need to get somewhere that requires further public transport connections, in which case the Linha 13 train is usually more flexible.
Guarulhos: taxis, 99 and Uber
Road-based options from GRU are convenient but expensive and time-dependent. Official taxis operate from a fixed fare counter in arrivals — you choose your destination zone and pay upfront. Fares to the city centre are not cheap, and in heavy traffic the ride will be long. The taxi is worth it if you have a lot of luggage, are travelling as a group, or are going directly to a hotel far from any bus or train connection.
99 (the Brazilian ride-hailing app, majority-owned by DiDi) and Uber are both widely used in São Paulo and both operate at GRU. Pricing is generally lower than the official taxi and transparent in the app — but fares fluctuate with demand, and a surge at peak times can push the price well upward. Both services pick up from a designated area at the terminal, and their apps will guide you to the correct meeting point.
Traffic warning: The road between GRU and the city is one of São Paulo's most notoriously congested arteries. A taxi or ride-hailing journey to the centre can take 45 minutes in light conditions or three hours in a bad Friday afternoon rush. If you must travel by road at peak times, the Airport Bus Service uses bus lanes in some sections and may be faster than a private car.
Congonhas (CGH): getting from the domestic airport
Congonhas handles most of São Paulo's domestic traffic and is dramatically better positioned than Guarulhos. Sitting just south of the city on Avenida Washington Luís, it is only around 8 kilometres from Avenida Paulista and well under 15 kilometres from most central neighbourhoods.
There is no direct metro or rail link to Congonhas, but the nearest metro station is Campo Belo on Linha 5 Lilás, roughly 1–2 kilometres from the terminal — reachable on foot (a sweaty option with luggage), by a very short taxi ride, or on foot if you are travelling light and it is not too hot. From Campo Belo, Linha 5 connects to Chácara Klabin on Linha 2 Verde and to São Paulo's wider network.
Alternatively, Uber, 99 and metered taxis are very commonly used from Congonhas. Because of the short distance to the centre, a taxi or ride-hailing fare from CGH to Paulista or Pinheiros is moderate, and in reasonable traffic you can be at your hotel in 20–30 minutes. In peak-hour traffic, add 30–60 minutes to that estimate.
There is also a free airport shuttle bus connecting Congonhas to the nearest metro (check current details at the terminal), though its frequency and coverage have varied over the years — confirm on arrival.
Transferring between GRU and Congonhas
If you land at GRU on an international flight and need to catch a domestic connection from Congonhas, you are in one of São Paulo's classic travel dilemmas. The two airports are roughly 40 kilometres apart by road and the journey can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over two hours depending on traffic.
The Airport Bus Service runs a direct inter-airport route, which is the most structured way to make this transfer — it is designed for exactly this purpose and is more predictable than a taxi in traffic. Build in a generous buffer: most airline check-in guidance for international connections suggests at least three hours between landing at GRU and departing from CGH, which gives you time for baggage, the transfer and check-in. Plan conservatively.
Which airport, which option?
If you are flying internationally, you will almost certainly arrive at GRU. Take the Linha 13-Jade train if your destination is anywhere near the metro network — it is fast, cheap and traffic-proof. Use the Airport Bus Service if you need the Tietê terminal or Paulista specifically. Take a taxi or 99/Uber if you have heavy luggage, are travelling as a group, or are going somewhere the train and bus do not serve well.
If you are arriving on a domestic flight, Congonhas gives you a much shorter journey to the centre. Uber or 99 is the easiest option; for budget-conscious travellers, the short walk or shuttle to Campo Belo metro station is worth considering. For a comparison of how city-to-airport logistics work in other major South American cities, see our guide to crossing into Mendoza from Santiago or the Oceania entry requirements hub for onward travel to Asia-Pacific.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Guarulhos Airport to São Paulo city centre?
Yes. The CPTM Linha 13-Jade runs from GRU to Engenheiro Goulart station, where you transfer to Linha 12 Safira for onward metro connections. The journey to Paulista Avenue takes roughly 50–70 minutes in total and is the fastest and cheapest option in most conditions.
How long does it take by taxi from GRU to the city centre?
Between 45 minutes and three or more hours depending on traffic. The road from Guarulhos into São Paulo is among the most congested in Brazil. Travel off-peak whenever possible, or use the train.
What is the difference between GRU and Congonhas?
GRU Guarulhos is the main international airport, 30 kilometres from the centre. Congonhas (CGH) is the domestic airport, only 8 kilometres from the centre and much quicker to reach. Most international arrivals use GRU; domestic routes are split between the two, with Congonhas handling the busiest shuttle services.
How do I get from GRU to Congonhas for a connecting domestic flight?
The Airport Bus Service runs a direct inter-airport route. By taxi or ride-hailing app, allow at least 1.5–2.5 hours for the transfer and build in extra time as a buffer. Never cut this transfer tight — traffic on this corridor is highly unpredictable.
Sources and further reading:
- CPTM Linha 13-Jade timetables and Bilhete Único card information: cptm.sp.gov.br.
- São Paulo Metro network map: metro.sp.gov.br.
- Airport Bus Service routes and timetables: airportbusservice.com.br.
- GRU and CGH ground transport: gru.com.br and aeroportocongonhas.net.