TRANSPORT - Leaving the Airport

São Paulo’s international airport is the Aeroporto de Guarulhos, a.k.a. Cumbica. Be ready to face incredibly and overwhelmingly long lines at the customs, especially if your flight lands early in the morning, but try to keep your spirits up.

After getting rid of the customs, reaching for your baggage and maybe a visit to the Free Shop, you’ll finally see yourself in the outside world, namely the airport lounge. Guarulhos is a city in the northeast of the Greater Sao Paulo area, some 30km from the center of São Paulo.

If you are not one of the lucky people who get to have someone to pick them up, these are your choices:

- bus - there is a regular bus line running from the Airport to the Tatuapé subway station (East Zone of São Paulo). Fare is R$ 4,05. An option for those who know their way around the city, or are really going to this part of town.

- special bus (a.k.a. Airport Service). Air-conditioned, comfortable buses at R$33,00 per person. A good option for a lonely traveler. See complete post with tips, destinations and timetables here.

- taxis – this would be the best choice for a foreigner, though of course much more expensive. However, if you are in a group of three people and will share the fare, you’ll pay approximately the same as for the bus, and be left right where you want. See complete post here.

If your place of stay is in the city center or south zone (more common as tourist addresses), your journey will take at least 40 minutes, if you are lucky and it’s not the rush hour anymore. Otherwise it could take you as long as 1h30 to finally be able to rest in your room.