GRU · Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil · International Hub
Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 3 terminals
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: Follow your airline's check-in deadline
- Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport has 3 terminals. Transfer system: An official airport shuttle bus connects all three terminals at arrival level roughly every 15 minutes (04:00-00:00). Terminals 2 and 3 are adjacent; Terminal 1 (Azul domestic) has no jet bridges and is reached by the shuttle. A free People Mover plus the CPTM train station also link the terminals landside. GOL hubs at T2, LATAM and most international at T3, Azul at T1. OAG floors are 30 domestic, 60 domestic-to-international, and 90 for both international sectors. GRU is the busiest airport in South America and spreads across three passenger terminals, which is the catch: GOL (T2) and LATAM (T3) connections benefit from the T2-T3 walkway, but an Azul (T1) connection, or a GOL-to-Azul interline, means a landside shuttle between buildings, filed at about 90 minutes. GOL files about 35 minutes same-airline domestic, Azul about 40; the cross-carrier interline is the trap.
Terminal 1 (domestic, Azul)
1 airline: Azul Linhas Aereas
Domestic only, used by Azul; has no jet bridges and requires a landside shuttle to the other terminals. Connections involving Terminal 1 are the cross-terminal friction at GRU.
Terminal 2 (domestic and international, GOL hub)
1 airline: GOL Linhas Aéreas
The oldest terminal, two piers; GOL hubs here for domestic and some international flights. Linked to Terminal 3 by a walkway.
Terminal 3 (international, LATAM and long-haul)
3 airlines: LATAM Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates
The newest terminal, international only, handling LATAM's Latin American flights and most long-haul carriers. Directly linked to Terminal 2 by a walkway.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- An official airport shuttle bus connects all three terminals at arrival level roughly every 15 minutes (04:00-00:00). Terminals 2 and 3 are adjacent; Terminal 1 (Azul domestic) has no jet bridges and is reached by the shuttle. A free People Mover plus the CPTM train station also link the terminals landside. GOL hubs at T2, LATAM and most international at T3, Azul at T1.
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at GRU: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Writing about GRU? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at GRU vary by time of day and checkpoint. We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by GRU, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.
- TSA PreCheck
- Not available
- CLEAR
- Not available
- Global Entry
- Not available
No US preclearance or US programs. International arrivals clear Brazilian Federal Police immigration and customs; a connection involving Terminal 1 requires a landside shuttle between buildings.
Lounges
2 notable lounges at GRU, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
LATAM VIP Lounge
Terminal 3LATAM / oneworld
Access: Business, elite, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi, Showers
GRU Lounge (Plaza Premium)
Terminal 3Contract / card-access
Access: Priority Pass, eligible cards, paid day pass
Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi
Amenities
7 of 7 core amenities available at GRU: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Available
Premium lounges
Sleep pods
Available
Fast Sleep cabins (Terminal 2, Asa B and Asa D)
WiFi
Free (good)
Free wifi throughout
Nursing rooms
Available
All terminals
Chapel
Available
Chapel
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Terminal 3: Brazilian churrasco, Cafe cafes
Ground transport to Sao Paulo
No official source we checked publishes a ride time from GRU to downtown Sao Paulo.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
CPTM Expresso Aeroporto + Line 13-Jade Train Expresso Aeroporto runs between Aeroporto-Guarulhos and Palmeiras-Barra Funda stations via other central São Paulo stations for R$ 5.40 (about $1). Line 13-Jade also serves the airport, connecting with Line 12-Safira at Engenheiro Goulart. A free bus or the aeromóvel links the station to the terminals. CPTM does not publish a journey time. | $1 | Varies |
Airport Bus Service executive coach Bus Executive coaches run from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal Tietê (from R$ 32.60, about $6) and to Congonhas airport (from R$ 39.90, about $8). The operator does not give a consistent journey time. | $6-$8 | Varies |
Taxi / rideshare Taxi Taxi or rideshare to central São Paulo. No official fare or ride time is published. | Varies | Varies |
Parking
GRU does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; on-airport parking is priced dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Brazil prices in BRL via gru.com.br.
- Short-term
- Varies
- Long-term
- Varies
- Economy
- Not published
- Valet
- Not published
Can I leave GRU during a layover?
With a 3-hour layover, stay inside GRU. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Sao Paulo.
Central São Paulo is about 25 km from the airport. The CPTM Expresso Aeroporto train runs to Palmeiras-Barra Funda for R$ 5.40, but no official ride time is published, so only a long layover is worth leaving for. A connection involving Terminal 1 (Azul) needs the landside shuttle between buildings.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$$Hotel Pullman São Paulo Guarulhos AirportOn-airport
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at GRU?
We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at GRU?
GRU requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: An official airport shuttle bus connects all three terminals at arrival level roughly every 15 minutes (04:00-00:00). Terminals 2 and 3 are adjacent; Terminal 1 (Azul domestic) has no jet bridges and is reached by the shuttle. A free People Mover plus the CPTM train station also link the terminals landside. GOL hubs at T2, LATAM and most international at T3, Azul at T1.
How long does it take to get between terminals at GRU?
We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for GRU, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.
Can I leave GRU during a 6-hour layover?
With 3 hours you should stay inside GRU. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Central São Paulo is about 25 km from the airport. The CPTM Expresso Aeroporto train runs to Palmeiras-Barra Funda for R$ 5.40, but no official ride time is published, so only a long layover is worth leaving for. A connection involving Terminal 1 (Azul) needs the landside shuttle between buildings.
Does GRU have showers?
Yes, GRU has showers at Premium lounges.
Does GRU have sleep pods?
Yes. Fast Sleep cabins (Terminal 2, Asa B and Asa D) offers private sleep rooms.
Is WiFi free at GRU?
Yes. GRU offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free wifi throughout
What is the cheapest way to get from GRU to Sao Paulo?
The cheapest option is typically CPTM Expresso Aeroporto + Line 13-Jade at $1, taking a variable amount of time. Expresso Aeroporto runs between Aeroporto-Guarulhos and Palmeiras-Barra Funda stations via other central São Paulo stations for R$ 5.40 (about $1). Line 13-Jade also serves the airport, connecting with Line 12-Safira at Engenheiro Goulart. A free bus or the aeromóvel links the station to the terminals. CPTM does not publish a journey time.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at GRU?
GRU does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. No US preclearance or US programs. International arrivals clear Brazilian Federal Police immigration and customs; a connection involving Terminal 1 requires a landside shuttle between buildings.
Where should I eat at GRU during a layover?
Notable dining at GRU includes Brazilian churrasco (Terminal 3), Cafe cafes (Terminal 3).
How much does parking cost at GRU?
GRU does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; rates are set dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Brazil prices in BRL via gru.com.br.
Is there a hotel at GRU for overnight layovers?
Yes. Hotel Pullman São Paulo Guarulhos Airport is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.
Which terminal does my airline use at GRU?
GRU has 3 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1 (domestic, Azul): Azul Linhas Aereas; Terminal 2 (domestic and international, GOL hub): GOL Linhas Aéreas; Terminal 3 (international, LATAM and long-haul): LATAM Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.
Are there pet relief areas at GRU?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at GRU?
Yes. Chapel.
Compare GRU to other airports
See how GRU ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
More on Sao Paulo and GRU
Go deeper on connecting through GRU and on visiting Sao Paulo.
Airlines operating at GRU
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of GRU.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.gru.com.br/en
- Terminals: https://www.gru.com.br/en/institutional/sobre-gru-airport/terminals
- Connection times: https://www.expertflyer.com/air/travel-information
- Security: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/airports-with-global-entry
- Ground transport: https://www.cptm.sp.gov.br/cptm/sua-viagem/aeroporto-guarulhos https://www.airportbusservice.com.br/onibus-guarulhos-tiete
- Sleep pods: http://www.fastsleep.com.br/localizacao
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Paulo%E2%80%93Guarulhos_International_Airport
Connection times, security, ground transport and sleep pods verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Parking, amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport before flying.
If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.