Sao Paulo Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

By plane São Paulo has three major airports you can fly into: Guarulhos International, Congonhas and Viracopos. Campo de Marte, the town's fourth airport in importance, is used solely for executive jets, helicopter, air taxis and such, not carrying any commercial lines. Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) If flying into São Paulo from another country, you'll mostly likely land in Guarulhos International Airport, also known as Cumbica. Located 40 km away from downtown, the airport has two terminals that are served by Brazilian airlines Varig, TAM, Gol and BRA and by international United, Delta, American, Continental, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, Alitalia, KLM, JAL, South African and many others. Some domestic flights that depart from GRU may have a lower fare than ones that depart from Congonhas, since the airport is located farther away from downtown São Paulo. Thus speaking, it's worth checking prices with the airlines for both airports; it won't matter much if you have time, since most airlines have transfer buses from one aiport to the other - just show your plane ticket to the drivers and you'll get the ride at no cost. Non-airline shuttle buses are available from Guarulhos to Congonhas Airport, Praça da República (Downtown), Paulista/Jardins region, Barra Funda bus station (west side) and Tietê bus station (north side). All these lines except the Congonhas one connect to the Metrô. Fares are around R$ 25 (US$ 12) one-way. Congonhas Airport (CGH) The Congonhas Airport is located in a very central region, 15km (9 miles) from downtown. This airport handles most of the domestic flights and the popular São Paulo - Rio (Santos Dumont) shuttle and its architecture is worth seeing. The easiest (and cheapest) way to get to Congonhas is by taking any of the "Aeroporto" regular line buses that run in Paulista Avenue. You'll be dropped right in front of the airport and the fare is the regular R$ 2,00 (Bilhete Único accepted). Viracopos International (VCP) Located in the city of Campinas, around 99 kilometers from downtown São Paulo, Viracopos International is the second biggest airport in Brazil but is mainly used for air cargo transport; however, domestic and international flights also arrive there. Airlines that operate in VCP are BRA, Gol, Varig, TAM, Total and Trip. By bus There are three main bus terminals in São Paulo, all of them served by the Metrô network. Terminal Rodoviário do Tietê Address: Av. Cruzeiro do Sul 1.800, Santana district, North Side. Phone: +55 11 3235-0322, reachable from 6h to 23h40 The huge and busy Tietê Terminal is the main long-distance departure point. Interstate and international lines leave from here. Located about twenty minutes from Paulista Avenue by Metrô (station Tietê, Blue line); a taxi ride from Paulista/Jardins costs around R$ 40 (US$ 18,50). Terminal Rodoviário da Barra Funda Address: R. Maria de Andrade 664, Barra Funda district, West Side. Phone: +55 11 3392-1878 Barra Funda Terminal, located in São Paulo's West Side, carries departures and arrivals to and from western cities in the São Paulo state, to Mato Grosso, Foz do Iguaçu and west Paraná cities. About thirty minutes from Paulista Avenue by Metrô (station Barra Funda, Red line). You can also reach it by boarding the Orca shuttle service from Vila Madalena station (Green line) or by boarding the "Barra Funda" (875P) bus in Paulista Avenue. Guarulhos International Airport shuttles also depart and arrive from this terminal. Terminal Rodoviário do Jabaquara Address: R. dos Jequitibás s/n, Jabaquara district, South Side. Phone: +55 11 3235-0322 The Jabaquara Terminal serves cities in São Paulo state's south coast such as Guarujá, Santos and Bertioga. Located thirty minutes away by Metrô (Jabaquara station, Blue line) from downtown.