São Paulo Airport Transfers: Train, Bus and Taxi

São Paulo has two passenger airports used by visitors. São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is in neighbouring Guarulhos, 25 km from downtown São Paulo. São Paulo–Congonhas Airport (CGH) is inside the city, 8.7 km from the centre. Check your airport code before choosing a transfer: the terminals need different plans. (GRU Airport location, checked 2026-09-28; Aena Congonhas characteristics, checked 2026-09-28)

At GRU, CPTM Line 13-Jade connects Airport-Guarulhos station with Engenheiro Goulart. From there, Line 12-Safira reaches Tatuapé and Brás, while the Expresso Aeroporto continues through Guarulhos-CECAP, Luz and Palmeiras-Barra Funda. The airport station is separate from the terminals. A free airport bus or AeroGRU connects the station with the passenger buildings. (GRU Airport train, checked 2026-09-28; CPTM Airport-Guarulhos, checked 2026-09-28)

The main road alternatives from GRU are EMTU route 257 to Tatuapé and Airport Bus Service executive coaches. GRU lists coaches to Congonhas, Tietê Bus Station, Barra Funda Bus Station and the Paulista–República hotel circuit. At CGH, Line 17-Ouro’s Aeroporto de Congonhas station connects to the terminal by tunnel, but its current operation is limited to weekday daytime. (GRU Airport buses, checked 2026-09-28; Airport Bus Service routes, checked 2026-09-28; Congonhas station, checked 2026-09-28)

CPTM describes the airport rail route and its central stations, but its current airport page does not publish one fixed journey time from GRU to a São Paulo hotel. Add the terminal connection, walking with luggage, waiting time and the onward trip from Luz, Brás, Tatuapé or Palmeiras-Barra Funda. (CPTM Airport-Guarulhos, checked 2026-09-28; GRU terminal transfer, checked 2026-09-28)

EMTU’s current route result lists 55 minutes from GRU to Tatuapé. The operator identifies this as a route estimate and warns that traffic, accidents, demonstrations, roadworks and flooding can change the journey. Tatuapé is an interchange, not a hotel doorstep, so plan the final Metro, bus, walk or taxi separately. (EMTU route 257, checked 2026-09-28)

Airport Bus Service publishes destinations and selectable departures rather than one universal door-to-door time. Its network covers GRU–Congonhas, GRU–Tietê, GRU–Barra Funda and preset stops around Paulista and República. Choose the exact departure in the operator’s booking result and allow extra road time. (Airport Bus Service routes, checked 2026-09-28; Airport Bus Service FAQ, checked 2026-09-28)

From Congonhas, Line 17 gives access to the Metro network, including connections towards Morumbi and central interchange lines. Metrô does not publish a fixed airport-to-centre journey time on the station page. The complete trip includes the train, any interchange and the final walk or local connection. (Congonhas station, checked 2026-09-28)

CPTM lists the Expresso Aeroporto at R$5.40 for one journey between Airport-Guarulhos and Palmeiras-Barra Funda. The price covers the rail trip, not the free terminal connection, a hotel transfer or a separate city bus. If you continue by Metro or CPTM, check the applicable metropolitan ticket or integration before entering the system. (CPTM Airport-Guarulhos, checked 2026-09-28; CPTM fare table, checked 2026-09-28)

EMTU’s current route result lists R$8.35 for route 257 between GRU and Tatuapé. It also shows an integrated bus-and-rail product at R$12.25 and a Vale-Transporte value of R$12.77. Match the product to your onward journey; an EMTU ticket is not automatically a Metro ticket. (EMTU route 257, checked 2026-09-28)

Line 17-Ouro is in transitional operation and Metrô states that no fare is charged for the line at present. The normal municipal bus fare is R$5.30, while the published common bus-plus-Metro/CPTM integration is R$9.38. These city fares do not replace the separate EMTU airport fare. (Metrô hours and fares, checked 2026-09-28; SPTrans fares, checked 2026-09-28)

Airport Bus Service does not state one universal fare on its landing page: the price belongs to the selected route and departure. The operator sells tickets online, at listed sales points and directly from drivers on some routes. Check the selected journey before payment; do not substitute a rail fare for the coach price. (Airport Bus Service, checked 2026-09-28; Airport Bus Service FAQ, checked 2026-09-28)

GRU Airport publishes Line 13-Jade’s operating window as 04:00 to midnight from Sunday through Friday and 04:00 to 01:00 on Saturdays. CPTM publishes a separate Expresso Aeroporto departure table. Check the direction carefully: Airport-Guarulhos to the city and Palmeiras-Barra Funda to the airport are different timetable searches. (GRU Airport train, checked 2026-09-28; CPTM airport timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

The CPTM Expresso table lists departures from Palmeiras-Barra Funda at hourly times from 05:00 through 00:00 on weekdays, Saturdays and holidays. Its Sunday pattern begins at 05:00 and then generally runs every 30 minutes through the evening, with the table reaching 00:00. Use the live CPTM table for the airport-to-city direction and any service alteration. (CPTM airport timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

The free connection between Airport-Guarulhos station and the terminals uses an airport bus or AeroGRU. GRU states that the terminal transfer operates from 04:00 to midnight, with standby time up to 15 minutes. Follow airport signs and include this transfer after arriving at the station. (GRU terminal transfer, checked 2026-09-28; GRU Airport train, checked 2026-09-28)

Airport Bus Service offers route-specific schedule selection through its booking pages. GRU lists the Airport Bus Service counter at Terminal 2 East Arrivals from 06:00 to 22:00, with self-service totems at Terminals 2 and 3 operating 24 hours. Congonhas lists the operator at the airport from 06:00 to 21:00. (GRU Airport buses, checked 2026-09-28; Aena Congonhas access, checked 2026-09-28)

Line 17-Ouro’s Aeroporto de Congonhas station currently operates 09:00–16:00 from Monday to Friday, except holidays. The station page does not publish weekend or holiday service in this transitional schedule. Check the complete route before relying on a Metro interchange. (Congonhas station, checked 2026-09-28; Metrô Line 17, checked 2026-09-28)

For a late GRU arrival, compare your landing time with the Line 13 window and the current Expresso Aeroporto table. Line 13 is published until midnight from Sunday through Friday and until 01:00 on Saturdays. The terminal connection operates only until midnight, so include that final transfer in the plan. (GRU Airport train, checked 2026-09-28; GRU terminal transfer, checked 2026-09-28)

EMTU route 257 is listed for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with departure times shown in the operator’s timetable result. Traffic and operating changes can affect the listed journey. Confirm the date-specific departure before planning a rail connection at Tatuapé, especially after a delayed flight. (EMTU route 257, checked 2026-09-28)

Sunday rail service is available on the CPTM airport connection, and the Expresso timetable publishes a Sunday pattern with frequent daytime departures from Palmeiras-Barra Funda. That does not guarantee the next airport-bound train after an irregular arrival. Check the return direction and leave time for the free terminal connection. (CPTM airport timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

Congonhas needs a separate plan for early, late and Sunday flights. Line 17’s published window is weekday daytime only, and the station notice excludes holidays. Aena lists official taxi stands and Airport Bus Service at the airport; use those road options when the Metro window does not match your flight. (Metrô Line 17, checked 2026-09-28; Aena Congonhas access, checked 2026-09-28)

GRU identifies Guarucoop as its airport taxi cooperative. The airport says it has an exclusive municipal concession, standardised rates, bilingual drivers and more than 650 air-conditioned vehicles. Desks serve arrivals at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and the service is available 24 hours. The airport does not publish one fixed fare for every São Paulo neighbourhood; use the desk for the applicable quoted or regulated price. (GRU Airport taxi, checked 2026-09-28)

For app rides at GRU, the airport names Uber, 99 and Rhino as partner services. The controlled Praça Pick-Up is outside Terminal 2 on the arrivals level. Request the ride after reaching the designated area, then match the vehicle and driver shown in the application. (GRU Airport app pickup, checked 2026-09-28)

At Congonhas, Aena lists Rádio Táxi, Táxi comum and Ponto 606 in the South Wing, on the ground floor and basement, from 06:00 to 23:00. Aena does not publish one universal taxi fare for all destinations on the access page. Use the marked airport rank and confirm the fare method before boarding. (Aena Congonhas access, checked 2026-09-28)