TRANSPORT - Buses to Congonhas Airport

São Paulo is home to a second airport, called Aeroporto de Congonhas. This airport is the base for domestic flights and some flights for South America, especially Buenos Aires (which is almost home, since it is closer than many other destinations inside Brazil). Unlike Guarulhos, the international airport, this is inside the city (actually so much so that it does not operate during the night, so as to allow its neighbors to sleep a bit… during the day they simply can’t).

So Congonhas is much handier if you are going somewhere inside Brazil. Flights to Rio de Janeiro will leave from here, in the so-called Ponte Aérea (literally ‘air bridge’, meaning a shuttle, as airplanes come back and forth from Rio to São Paulo all day long).

Taking a taxi to Congonhas, which appropriately is located in the neighborhood called Aeroporto, in the south zone of São Paulo, will be much cheaper than a ride to Guarulhos.

Some buses also will lead you there, just remember buses in São Paulo have no room for luggage, so if you are carrying large volumes forget this option.

Bus lines serving the Congonhas Airport:

875A or 875M (destination AEROPORTO) – both go along Av. Gal Olímpio da Silveira and Av. São João (downtown), passing in front of the Marechal Deodoro subway station, then they go up R. da Consolação and all along Av. Paulista, then on to R. Domingos de Moraes and Av. Jabaquara, as far as the Saúde subway station. From this point on their routes diverge a bit within the neighborhood known as Moema, but both will go as far as the Congonhas Airport. If you want some instructions on how to take a bus in São Paulo and   how to pay for it, check my previous posts on the topic.

From the Conceição or Jabaquara subway stations you may take another bus, 5128-10 (also destination AEROPORTO). If you are coming from Guarulhos (Cumbica Airport), instead of taking a taxi, you may take the coach “Airport Bus Service” straight to Congonhas (it stops at the Tietê bus terminal and at the República subway station). See times and other details here.

AVENIDA PAULISTA - Supermarkets

One of the first things I look for in a new city is a supermarket. This may come in handy for any unexpected necessity, and for my customary daily supply of mineral water – I refuse to pay the amount hotels charge for a small bottle, and I do drink lots of water during a day.

If you are staying or hanging around Av. Paulista you have at least two choices of supermarkets to count on:

EXTRA SUPERMERCADOS – Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio, 2013. One block from Av. Paulista, on the even-numbered sidewalk. (www.extra.com.br)

A large market with all ranges of products and reasonable prices. Good choice of fruit, if you care to taste some local specimens Also nice for foreigners who like to buy cigarette packages, which are apparently much cheaper in Brazil – in this case you must ask for the cashier, for the cigarettes are visible on a glass display at the entrance, but must be asked for and brought to the cashier by one of the market’s employees. Order (or write on a piece of paper) “(number of packages wanted) pacote(s) de (cigarette brand you desire)”.

PÃO DE AÇÚCAR – Alameda Santos, 2071. One block from Av. Paulista, right behind Conjunto Nacional (odd-numbered sidewalk). (www.paodeacucar.com.br)

Unfortunately this is a small shop of this nice supermarket chain, and as a consequence of the lack of space, the shop is somewhat crammed and confused. If you care to walk a little longer, you’ll find another Pão de Açúcar on r. Pamplona, 816

This supermarket will not have huge supplies of anything, and prices are not the cheapest in town, but they do offer variety and uncommon things. Lots of imported, organic, or  homemade products, different brands, typical Brazilian brands, etc. Good for foreigners who would like to take home some Brazilian coffee, but to have more choices for their pick. Also Brazilian chocolates with local fruits such as cupuaçu, take-away food and sandwiches, fresh juices, and always new and interesting items.