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GRU

São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport

São Paulo, Brazil

Where to start
Uber / 99

Uber and 99 are the practical defaults at GRU — set your pickup pin carefully, as the airport is large with several terminals and designated rideshare zones. The CPTM Line 13 (Jade) train is the lowest-cost way in and dodges São Paulo's heavy traffic. Authorized 'credenciada' taxis use fixed rates and cost more than an app ride.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Convenient app-based transfer to the city or hotels

AvailabilityVery well established at GRU
Pickup NoteSet your exact terminal pickup pin in the app, then walk to the marked rideshare zone it shows — GRU's size means the wrong pin sends your driver to a different terminal. Confirm the car and plate.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost

99

rideshare

Brazilian app, often competitive on price

AvailabilityWidely available
Pickup Note99 is Brazil's home-grown app (owned by DiDi). Same marked rideshare zones as Uber — set your pickup pin precisely. Compare both apps before booking.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost

CPTM Line 13 (Jade)

transit

Budget rail connection that dodges traffic

AvailabilityFree shuttle from terminals to the station; check operating hours
Pickup NoteTake the free internal shuttle from the terminals to the Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then Line 13 (Jade) and transfer toward the centre (around 60+ min total). Lowest-cost option, but awkward with heavy luggage.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost

Credenciada Taxi

taxi

Regulated fixed-rate taxi — no app needed

AvailabilityAt official ranks outside terminals
Pickup NoteUse only the credenciada (registered) taxi kiosks outside arrivals — fixed, zone-based rates that cost more than an app ride. Pay at the kiosk, not the driver.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost

Welcome Pickups — Pre-booked Private Transfer

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfer with a vetted local driver

AvailabilityAvailable at São Paulo — pre-book online via Welcome Pickups
Pickup NoteA vetted local driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Flight monitoring and a fixed price paid in advance — no haggling on arrival.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber and 99 (Brazil's home-grown app, owned by DiDi) are both dominant and widely used. GRU is large with multiple terminals, so set your pickup pin precisely and head to the marked rideshare zone the app shows — don't accept a ride from anyone who approaches you inside the hall.

Taxi

Authorized 'credenciada' (registered) taxis depart from official stands outside each terminal, charging fixed, zone-based rates that are higher than a typical Uber or 99 ride. Pay at the kiosk; ignore drivers who solicit you in arrivals.

Shuttle

Airport Bus Service executive coaches connect GRU to Congonhas airport, Paulista, the Tietê bus terminal, and several São Paulo neighbourhoods — a comfortable mid-priced option.

Transit

CPTM Line 13 (Jade) runs from a station linked to the terminals by a free internal shuttle, transferring toward the centre to reach the Metro/CPTM network (around 60+ minutes total). Lowest-cost option and immune to road traffic, but less convenient with heavy luggage.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers and SIXT Ride meet you at arrivals with a name sign — worth it after a long-haul flight or for groups heading into the city at rush hour.

Travel Extras

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Local Tips

  • São Paulo traffic is brutal at rush hour (roughly 7–9am and 5–8pm) — the CPTM train avoids it, or time an app ride for off-peak.
  • GRU is large with several terminals — set your pickup pin precisely in Uber or 99 and walk to the rideshare zone the app shows.
  • 99 is Brazil's home-grown app (owned by DiDi) and is often competitive with Uber — compare both before booking.
  • Authorized 'credenciada' taxis charge fixed zone-based rates that are higher than an app ride — pay at the kiosk, not the driver.
  • Don't accept a ride from anyone who approaches you inside arrivals — use the app's marked zone or the official taxi kiosk.

Tarmyq local tip

Open Uber or 99 and confirm your exact terminal pickup pin before you walk out — GRU's size means the wrong pin sends your driver to a different terminal. Then go to the marked rideshare zone, not the curb where touts wait.