A complete guide to Guarulhos Airport

If you are looking for detailed information about Guarulhos Airport, you have come to the right place. In this guide we cover everything you need to know about Brazil's largest airport. Our aim is to give you complete content that answers every question. Here we go.

What is Guarulhos Airport?

São Paulo/Guarulhos Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport, better known as Guarulhos Airport (GRU), is Brazil's largest and busiest airport. In the city of Guarulhos, in Greater São Paulo, it is one of Latin America's main hubs, connecting domestic and international flights.

The airport's official website: gru.com.br.

Location

Guarulhos Airport sits roughly 25 km from the centre of São Paulo. Its address is Rodovia Hélio Smidt, s/n, Cumbica, Guarulhos, SP, 07190-100. That strategic position makes it easy to reach from across the metropolitan region.

How to get to Guarulhos Airport

By car

For anyone driving, the airport has well-signposted access from the Ayrton Senna and the Presidente Dutra highways. There are also several parking options at Guarulhos Airport. We go into those further down.

Public transport

Several bus routes connect the airport to different parts of São Paulo and neighbouring cities. You can also take the CPTM train, getting off at Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, with a direct connection to Terminal 3 by free shuttle bus.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps

Taxis and app vehicles such as Uber, 99 and Cabify are popular ways to reach the airport. There are dedicated pick-up and drop-off points for these services at every terminal.

Terminals

Guarulhos Airport has three passenger terminals:

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is mainly dedicated to domestic flights by airlines such as Azul and Passaredo. It is therefore the simplest and smallest terminal of the three.

Terminal 2

The airport's largest terminal, serving both domestic and international flights. Airlines such as Gol, LATAM and Avianca operate here.

Terminal 3

The most modern, dedicated exclusively to international flights. It is LATAM's main hub for international routes and also serves other large airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air France.

Shops and services

Guarulhos Airport offers a wide range of shops and services for every passenger need.

Shops

From souvenir stalls to major international brands, the airport has options for every taste. Some of the most popular include:

• Duty Free Americas
• Dufry Shopping
• Lacoste
• MAC Cosmetics
• Victoria's Secret

Services

The services on offer include:

• Bank branches and cash machines
• Currency exchange
• Post office
• Pharmacies
• Beauty salons

Restaurants and food

There is a wide selection of restaurants, cafés and fast food spread across the terminals. Options include:

• Starbucks
• McDonald's
• Bacio di Latte
• The Green Kitchen
• Viena

VIP lounges

For anyone after comfort and exclusivity, the airport has several VIP lounges, available to business class and first class passengers or loyalty programme members. Among the best known:

• Executive Lounge (Terminal 2)
• American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal 3)
• Star Alliance Lounge (Terminal 3)
• VIP Lounge (Terminal 3)

The full list of the airport's VIP lounges is here: See all VIP lounges

Parking at Guarulhos Airport

Guarulhos Airport offers customers several parking options, which vary by distance from the terminals and by price. The main ones are:

• The multi-storey car park: opposite Terminals 2 and 3, easy to reach on foot.
• Parking near Guarulhos Airport: there are many parking options close to the airport. They are a little further out, but they offer more affordable rates and a free transfer service to the terminals. That way you save money and still leave your vehicle parked safely and conveniently.

Tips for passengers

• Arrive early: getting to the airport at least 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic ones is the usual advice.
• Documents: make sure you have every document you need, such as passport, visa where it applies, tickets and booking confirmations.
• Online check-in: check in online whenever you can. It saves time and keeps you out of queues.

Conclusion

Guarulhos Airport is one of Brazil's main gateways in and out of the country, offering a vast range of services and facilities for every kind of passenger. We hope this guide has answered all your questions about the airport. For more information or to book parking at Guarulhos Airport, visit the Movepark site.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the official name of Guarulhos Airport?

São Paulo International Airport, in Guarulhos, known by the IATA code GRU. It is in the municipality of Guarulhos, in the São Paulo metropolitan region, and it is the country's largest airport by passenger traffic and by international operations.

Which highways lead to Guarulhos by car?

The main routes are the Hélio Smidt highway, which links the complex to the Presidente Dutra, and the connection via the Ayrton Senna. Anyone coming along the Ayrton Senna passes a toll plaza on the way, and that cost belongs in the total for the drive.

How many passenger terminals does GRU have?

Three passenger terminals: 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 3 concentrates long-haul international operations, and Terminals 1 and 2 account for most domestic flights. Transfers from the outside lots usually circulate between them.

Where do the car parks sit in relation to the terminals?

The official one is inside the complex, reachable on foot. The partner lots are outside and use a transfer: in August 2026 Aeropark was 2.7 km from the terminal and Aerovalet 4.5 km, distances the van covers in minutes.

Does Guarulhos run flights through the night?

It operates 24 hours, with no night-time restriction, and much of the international network lands between four and six in the morning. The partner lots listed also operate 24 hours, which allows the car to be collected in that window.