By Air in São Paulo

By Air

Nearly all international flights stop in São Paulo, so practically every airline that flies to Brazil flies to São Paulo, and it's very easy to get from São Paulo to everywhere else in Brazil.

Airports

São Paulo's international airport, Aeroporto Cumbica, is in the suburb of Guarulhos, 30 km (19 mi) and a 45-minute drive (longer during rush hour or on rainy days) northeast of Centro. Aeroporto Congonhas, 14 km (9 mi) south of Centro (a 15- to 45-minute drive, depending on traffic), serves regional airlines, including the Rio-São Paulo shuttle.

Airports

Aeroporto Congonhas (011/5090-9000). Aeroporto Cumbica (011/6445-2945).

Airport Transfers

EMTU buses -- blue air-conditioned vehicles -- shuttle between Cumbica Airport and Congonhas (5:30 AM-11:10 PM, every 30 minutes; midnight-5:30 AM, every 90 minutes) as well as between Cumbica and the Tietê bus terminal (5 AM-11:10 PM, every 50-60 minutes); the downtown Praça da República (5:40 AM-11:10 PM, every 30 minutes); and the Hotel Maksoud Plaza (6:10 AM-11:10 PM, every 60-70 minutes), stopping at most major hotels around Avenida Paulista. There are also lines that connect Cumbica to the Barra Funda terminal and the Shopping Eldorado. The cost is R$24.

The sleek, blue-and-white, air-conditioned Guarucoop radio taxis take you from Cumbica to downtown for around R$80. Comum (regular) taxis charge R$65 from Cumbica and around R$25 from Congonhas.

Contacts

EMTU (0800/19-0088 or 011/6445-2505. www.airportbusservice.com.br). Guarucoop (011/6440-7070).