Airport Transfers in São Paulo — Compare & Book 2026

At a glance

Airport overview: Guarulhos (GRU), Congonhas (CGH)

Guarulhos (GRU) is the main international airport, 25 km from central SP. Congonhas (CGH) is closer (8 km) and handles domestic flights. GRU has Terminals 2 and 3 (T1 is closed). São Paulo traffic means journey times are wildly unpredictable.

Getting to the city by train or metro

CPTM Line 13 (Jade) from GRU to Engenheiro Goulart, then transfer to other lines. Cheap (R$4.40) but slow and complex with multiple transfers.

Bus and shuttle options

Airport Bus Service to Paulista Avenue, Congonhas, and Tietê bus station: R$55-65, 60-120 min depending on traffic. Traffic in São Paulo is legendary.

Taxi situation

São Paulo taxi scams exist but are less common than in some cities. Use only official white taxis with meters. 99 (app) is the safest option.

Best transfer service for São Paulo

Kiwitaxi — Fixed pricing for Brazilian routes. Important in a country where tourist overcharging can occur.

Read full Kiwitaxi review →

Cheapest transfer option

GetTransfer — Bids from $15 for GRU to Paulista. Good value for the long GRU route.

Read full GetTransfer review →

Uber & ride-hailing

99 (Brazilian Uber equivalent) is the dominant rideshare app. Works well at GRU. Uber also operates. Both recommended over street taxis.

Public transport from the airport

GRU Express bus (60-90 min to Paulista, R$60/$12) runs every 30 min. CPTM train connects GRU to São Paulo's rail network but requires transfers.

Practical arrival tips for São Paulo

Traffic is the #1 factor: São Paulo has some of the world's worst traffic. The same GRU-to-city drive takes 30 minutes at 2am or 3+ hours at 5pm on a Friday. Pre-booking a transfer with a fixed price protects you from unpredictable meter charges during traffic jams.

Guarulhos is far: GRU Airport is 25 km northeast of central São Paulo. There's no fast rail connection (the CPTM train is slow and requires transfers). For most travelers, a private transfer or taxi is the practical choice.

Portuguese is essential: English is much less common in Brazil than in Europe or Asia. Having your hotel address written in Portuguese, or saved in Google Maps, is very helpful for drivers.

Safety awareness: São Paulo is generally safe in tourist/business areas but standard precautions apply. Keep valuables out of sight. Using a pre-booked transfer or the official Guarucoop taxi desk eliminates street-level uncertainty.

Transfer service prices from São Paulo airport

Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for São Paulo for detailed pricing by route.

Local travel nuances

Currency: BRL (real). Have some local currency for small purchases — many taxi meters display in local currency.

Language: Portuguese (limited English) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.

Tipping: R$10-20 (~$2-4) for drivers is appreciated.

Safety: Use only the official Guarucoop taxi cooperative desk inside GRU Arrivals. 99 (ride-hailing app) is the Brazilian equivalent of Uber and works well. Avoid unofficial drivers.

SIM / connectivity: Brazilian SIM cards from Claro, Vivo, or TIM at GRU. Registration requires passport. Tourist SIMs from R$30 (~$6).

Tips for São Paulo airport transfers

Tip 1: GRU is far from central São Paulo (30 km) and traffic is extreme. Budget 60-120 min depending on time of day.

Tip 2: 99 app (like Uber) is the safest transport option. Download before landing.

Tip 3: Congonhas (CGH) is domestic-only but much closer to the center (8 km). Any transport option is quick from CGH.

Tip 4: São Paulo traffic is among the world's worst. Avoid rush hours (7-10am, 5-8pm) if at all possible.