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Transfers and Terminal Layout at São Paulo Guarulhos Airport
Guarulhos has three terminals – 1, 2 and 3. Terminals 2 and 3 are connected by both the transit area and the public area.
Terminal 1 is a separate building near the railway station, and you’ll need to take the free shuttle bus to Terminals 2 and 3.
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Which terminal?
The terminals are divided into domestic and international. Domestic flights are further divided between the two terminals depending on the airline.
- Terminal 1– the smallest building with the fewest facilities is situated near the railway station and serves exclusively domestic flights operated by the following airlines:
- Azul
- Terminal 2– originally the main terminal, well-equipped with facilities and connected to Terminal 3 by a walkway. It handles only domestic flights operated by the following airlines:
- Gol
- LATAM
- Voepass
- Terminal 3– the newest building handles all international flights
Connecting flights
If you are planning a non-guaranteed connection in São Paulo (i.e. two separate tickets purchased individually), allow at least 5 hours for your connection. Domestic flights within Brazil, in particular, are often delayed or even cancelled.
Guaranteed connections are very clearly signposted and always take place within the same building, specifically between Terminals 2 and 3, which are connected by an internal walkway.
International <-> International
When transferring between two international flights, you will always remain in Terminal 3. The maximum walking distance will be no more than 10 minutes.
You will not go through immigration, but you will go through a security check designated exclusively for transfer passengers.
- Average transfer time –15–25 minutes
- Baggage during a transfer –will be transferred automatically
International -> Domestic
After disembarking the aircraft, you will need to walk towards the exit and immigration control. You will then collect your luggage and, following the signs, walk for approximately 15 minutes to Terminal 2, where you will check in and go through security.
You can also use the free shuttle bus, although walking is quicker.
- Average transfer time – 60–90 minutes
- Luggage during a transfer –you must collect it and check it in again
Domestic → International
After disembarking from your flight at Terminal 2, remain in the transit area and walk through the corridor to Terminal 3. Here, you will go through security and passport control designated specifically for transfer passengers.
There are usually no long queues here.
- Average transfer time – 30–45 minutes
- Luggage during the transfer –will be transferred automatically
Domestic <-> Domestic
After disembarking, you will find yourself directly in the departure gates area. Transfers take place either within Terminal 2 or within Terminal 1 (in the case of Azul).
There are no security checks.
- Average transfer time – 5–15 minutes
- Luggage during a transfer –will be transferred automatically
Travelling between terminals
If you need to move between terminals via the public area, you can use the free green shuttle buses.
These run approximately every 10–15 minutes from 4.00 am to midnight.
You can also walk between Terminals 2 and 3 via the indoor corridor (10–15 minutes).
Overnight stay in the terminal – opening hours
All terminals are open 24/7. The most comfortable seats and the most space are in International Terminal 3, although even here there are only seats with armrests, on which you won’t be able to sleep comfortably.
Furthermore, all terminals tend to be very busy even at night.
Hotels near the airport
If you have an early morning flight, we recommend staying overnight in a hotel near the airport.
Transit hotels
Inside the transit area of Terminal 3, you can stay in a hotel whilst waiting for a long connecting flight TRYP BY WYNDHAM São Paulo Airport - Hotel de Transito Terminal 3 ****.
Access to this hotel is restricted to international passengers only, and entry is via the transit area only.
Hotels in the terminal
Terminal 2 has two basic hotels located directly inside the building; however, access to them is only via the public area. They are therefore open to everyone, not just travellers.
Hotels in the vicinity
There are several other hotels near the airport – within a 15-minute journey by hotel shuttle – which usually offer lower prices than the hotels inside the terminal.
We only select well-reviewed hotels with their own free transport to and from the airport:
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Any questions left?
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2 comments
Jarda _12
Translated from cestee.cz
Hello. We are going to the carnival next year, arriving in Sao Paulo on Monday, 9.2. at 6:50 (flight TP87 LIS-GRU) and we would like to see the Iguazu Falls first.
Do you think it is realistic to continue straight on LATAM flight LA3202 with a 12:25 departure?
That means a non-guaranteed connection time of 5 and a half hours. I'm a bit worried about the immigration control, where queues undoubtedly form.
There are a few options to fly later, but again I don't want to spend a ridiculously long time at the airport and then arrive at the falls in the evening.
Jakub Langer
Translated from cestee.cz
Hello, Jardo,
these TAP and LATAM flights could build on each other, but no one can tell you how it's going to turn out. There will be plenty of time or it will be close. You should also consider a guaranteed transfer in Lisbon if it is not too short. Then there could be something like a diversion to Rio because of the weather, but that would be quite extraordinary.
Of course, immigration control takes some time too, but it's not something that takes hours, I hope. In the case of checked baggage, it is necessary to pick it up and move it from the international to the domestic terminal if you want to fly to Brazil's IGU airport (I don't think anything is flying from Brazil to Argentina's IGR airport, it would be unnecessary).
I'd rather recommend Brazil's Iguaçu Falls, which offer more beautiful views than Argentina's Iguazú Falls, where you walk more.
Then, of course, I wish you a wonderful Carnaval Brasileiro !!! Don't forget that it's not only in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, but also in the smaller historical cities of SP, RJ, MG, also in Salvador and Recife, that's a long way for another trip.
On your flight home from GRU, don't forget the two Mastercard Black lounges (in the international terminal) with free access to Mastercard World Elite .
Jarda _12
Translated from cestee.cz
Thanks for the quick reply.
The guaranteed layover in Lisbon is over 3 hours, I guess I wouldn't worry about that.
We won't be checking luggage, though of course it may happen that our boarding passes get taken at the gate (TAP does that sometimes). However, if you don't see the risk in a long wait at immigration, then I guess I'll take my chances and buy that LATAM at 12:25.
I have several questions about the itinerary for our entire trip and would be very grateful for advice, but I'll ask them separately in the right places so we don't run off topic here.
There are usually no dogs between terminals 2 and 1, but the airport shuttle bus is used from 4:00 to 0:00.
It's worse at night, but even that can usually be handled safely by dog.
It is important not to go directly along the edge of the highway, but through the airport area and at the crossroads go to the right of the elevated yet unfinished airport train track. Within half an hour you will reach the old terminal 1, where only Azul airline flies from (November 2025).