São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is Brazil's busiest international gateway, about 25 km northeast of São Paulo. This is what to sort out before you land and what to expect afterwards: the terminals, getting online and the way into the city.
Before you land
The Brazil eSIM needs no CPF and no counter: it is bought on this page and installed at home. Anatel, the telecoms regulator, does not treat phones bought abroad as irregular, so a phone brought from home is fine either way.
Keep the QR code where you can open it without a connection, printed or on a second device. The QR code shows on your order page seconds after payment, so bookmark that page or save the code before you leave it.
Getting online
The terminals have free Wi-Fi, so you can add the eSIM while you wait for your bags if you did not do it at home (install the eSIM). The Brazil eSIM runs on Claro, a Brazilian network, so your phone connects as a line in the country and needs no data roaming (switch it on after landing). Brazil's networks are Vivo, Claro and TIM.
Your usual SIM stays in the phone with your number, and WhatsApp keeps the same number while the eSIM carries your data. Travelling on to other countries? The plan on the Brazil eSIM page covers Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador with one eSIM.
From the airport to the city
CPTM line 13 (Jade) runs from the Aeroporto-Guarulhos station to Engenheiro Goulart, where you change to line 12 (Safira) for Brás and Tatuapé, and from there to the metro. A direct Expresso Aeroporto service also runs to Luz station in the centre.
Airport buses connect the terminals with Tietê bus terminal and República in the centre; buy at the counter in arrivals. Taxis and app cars wait outside arrivals: use the official app pickup points and agree the fare or check the meter before you set off.
The drive into the centre takes about 45 minutes outside rush hour, and much longer in the peaks.
Good to know
- Time. São Paulo is on UTC-3 all year; Brazil no longer uses daylight saving time.
- Money. Cards are taken almost everywhere, and PIX, the instant payment system, is common; keep a little cash only for small vendors.
- Emergencies. Call 190 for the police, 192 for an ambulance and 193 for the fire brigade.
