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.

TRANSPORT - Taxis from the Airport

All the taxis that operate at the airport belong to a co-operative called Guarucoop (their site has versions in English and Spanish). They have booths right outside both terminals and in theory their attendants and drivers are all bilingual. You’ll be charged according to your destination (their website promises an online table with fares will soon be available). Fares will be around R$100,00. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Holding the ticket as a proof of your payment, head for the taxi line (yes, yet another line) and wait for your turn. It is quite safe to use these taxis.

TRANSPORT - Buses from the Airport

These are comfortable, air-conditioned and expensive buses which will take you to several parts of town. Get out of the terminal and follow the signs indicating “buses”. They are semi-hidden between the terminals. The tickets cabin is inside a room. Check timetables here. The price is R$ 31,00 per person. After you buy your ticket, go outside to get on the bus. Check carefully if the bus you want to take is parked outside; it may not have arrived yet or you may board the wrong bus. Indications are not clear.

This is the bus you'll see... check its destination before boarding!!

CHOOSING YOUR BUS - Click here for the complete timetable and different destinations

Among the lines offered to you, one is the ‘hotel circuit’, which serves some selected hotels. You might be lucky…

Otherwise you may be advised to take the buses that go to Barra Funda or Republica, as these are subway stations, but please read below:

Barra Funda is not only a subway station, but a train station and bus terminal, which could be helpful for you to go somewhere in town. But bear in mind that you get off the bus somewhere outside the complex and to get in you have to face lots of awkward and confusing stairs,  completely inappropriate for someone carrying heavy bags. Only head to Barra Funda if you are packing light.

República, another final stop, is home to a subway station of the same name, which could come in handy for you. But I must say it’s not really advisable if you arrive late at night. Also, subway stations close at midnight. Other than that, I must also say that subway stations may not have escalators in every station, the trains have no reserved spaces for luggage, and are packed in the rush hours. As a final (but extremely important) warning, DO NOT take the subway if you need to change lines, with luggage and all, at the Sé Station. Believe me, it’s simply impracticable.

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.