Trips

Guarulhos Airport Guide: see before you travel!

Although it is the largest airport in Brazil, Guarulhos Airport is organized and efficient, connecting flights from all over the world. If you have a trip planned from there, see our complete guide about it here!

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Travel hassle-free through Guarulhos airport: the largest airport in the country!

Entrada do Aeroporto de Guarulhos
Check out our GRU Airport guide. Source: AdobeStock.

First of all, did you know that Guarulhos Airport is the largest airport in Brazil? In fact, it is also the second largest in Latin America when it comes to passenger movement. In other words, a Guarulhos Airport guide can help many travelers who are going to pass through there!

With that in mind, we brought you this complete content so you can learn more about it and check out important information about the structure. So, if you have a trip planned and are going to pass through the airport, keep an eye out and check out our guide to Guarulhos Airport below!

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Guarulhos International Airport

Firstly, as the name suggests, this airport is located in the city of Guarulhos, in the state of São Paulo. In this sense, the structure is approximately 30km from the center of the capital of São Paulo, in addition to being a very accessible location. So, if you need to catch a flight at Guarulhos Airport, know that there are several ways to get there.

In addition to being the largest airport in the country, this is also an important connection point between flights from all over the world. Therefore, the flow of aircraft and passengers is quite intense. Therefore, if you are an inexperienced traveler, you need to pay attention to our guide to Guarulhos Airport to really understand how it works.

Currently, its structure has three operating terminals spread over an area of 192 thousand square meters. Generally speaking, more than 50 million people pass through the airport every year! But don't be afraid, as its entire structure is very well organized and easy to find.

In fact, Guarulhos Airport emerged in 1985 and only in 2012 became part of a private initiative. With a 20-year contract to operate in this way, the concessionaire includes companies such as Airports South Africa and invests heavily in improvements to the structure. It is worth remembering that the take-off and landing runways are even capable of receiving larger planes such as the Airbus A380, for example.

Types of flights at Guarulhos airport

Pouso no Aeroporto de Guarulhos
After all, what types of flights are there? Source: AdobeStock.

Well, as we already mentioned in our guide to Guarulhos Airport, its structure includes three departure and arrival terminals. In this sense, Terminal 1 currently operates exclusively Azul Linhas Aéreas flights. This is the smallest terminal among the three in operation, operating with great agility and practicality.

Furthermore, Terminal 2 receives domestic and international flights, being the largest of the terminals in operation at the airport. Finally, Terminal 3 operates international flights from companies such as Latam, Air France, Air Canada, among others. In fact, remember that this airport is responsible for connecting flights from all over the world!

How many gates does Guarulhos airport have?

As the largest airport in Brazil, GRU Airport, as it is also known, carries out more than 800 takeoffs and landings every day. Therefore, it is essential to have schedules and gates available and capable of handling such large movements of aircraft and passengers.

Because Guarulhos Airport does not disappoint in this regard. In Terminal 2 alone, its largest area for arrivals and departures, there are 42 gates and more than 180 check-in counters! Meanwhile, Terminal 1 has 9 boarding gates and Terminal 3 has a total of 26.

Therefore, it is important to highlight in our guide to Guarulhos Airport the real need to arrive in advance to avoid delays and even missing your flight. With such a large structure and intense movement of people, it takes time and planning to reach your boarding gate calmly and safely.

What's at Guarulhos airport

Although Terminal 1 is only intended for Azul flights, in Terminals 2 and 3 you will find a wide variety of services. For example, Terminal 2 is where there is the highest concentration of stores and restaurants such as Burger King, Mc Donald's, Casa do Pão de Queijo, Banco Safra, pharmacies, Carrefour, Havaianas, among others.

Even though the airport has very high prices, you will find a good deal of activity in the stores, almost like a shopping center. In fact, it's not just in Terminal 2 that you'll find service options, and Terminal 3 isn't far behind for those looking for shops and restaurants.

Furthermore, it is there that you will also find a Federal Revenue unit, where many go to get their passports. Furthermore, it is also on the mezzanine floor of Terminal 3 where passengers will find a laboratory installed to carry out the Covid-19 RT-PCR test. Much more practical, right?

Is it possible to shower at Guarulhos airport?

If you are in transit and have had your flight cancelled, or even if you have missed your connection, don't worry as there is a hotel inside the airport to assist you. That's right, travelers who need a place to sleep and take a shower can count on the five-star Fast Sleep hotel and also the Tryp by Wyndham.

Furthermore, if you are just waiting for your boarding there is also the possibility of taking a shower and relaxing using the VIP lounges available. However, you will need to be a customer with access to enjoy the luxuries of these reserved spaces.

So, it is interesting to check with your credit card operator, or even with your chosen airline, the possibility of accessing a VIP Lounge. In addition to showers, passengers enjoy buffets with all-you-can-eat food, drinks, TV, Wi-Fi and many other services available.

3 extra tips for travelers at Guarulhos airport

Homem observando aeronaves
So, check out our 3 tips for your trip! Source: AdobeStock.

Now that you've followed our guide to Guarulhos Airport, it's much easier to understand how the largest structure in the country works, right? However, if you have a trip planned there and are still unsure, we have put together some essential tips so that everything goes as planned. Check out more below.

Leave early

If you are going to get to the airport by public transport, it is essential that you leave home well in advance. In this sense, it is important to take into account São Paulo's traffic, which is unpredictable. In other words, the travel time to the airport can change drastically.

Also, remember that this is the biggest airport in Brazil! This means that you will need plenty of time to get there, check your bags and get to your boarding gate. So, avoid starting your trip with hassle and rush. After all, it's better to arrive early than to end up missing your flight.

Connections

As we already mentioned in our Guarulhos Airport guide, you can count on hotels within the airport if you need to wait for your connection. In fact, for those who missed their flight or were canceled and cannot return home, this is an excellent option to rest.

However, prices can be high when booked last minute. Therefore, if you already know that you are going to spend a long time between one flight and another at Guarulhos Airport, it is interesting to plan ahead and make your reservation at one of the hotels. This way, you save a good amount of money as you will pay less for doing everything in advance.

Avoid some services

Even though Guarulhos Airport is a gigantic and complete structure when it comes to shops, restaurants and services, its prices are not the cheapest. In fact, passengers do not always have a pleasant surprise when they need to consume within the airport premises.

Therefore, try to bring a snack and even a bottle of water to consume before boarding if you need to save money. Although it is not possible to board with some food, you avoid having to buy from restaurants with abusive prices. It's worth preparing!

In fact, if you are going on an international trip or even if you want to save money without missing out on tours during your vacation, how about making good financial planning? Well, check out 10 incredible tips below for perfect financial organization before you go on your trip!

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Financial organization for a big trip: 10 essential tips to take advantage of!

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About the author  /  Samantha Scorbaioli

Passionate about living new experiences, cultures and always in search of knowledge and new challenges. He has experience in Hospitality and Tourism and has been working in the content production area for some years.

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