What is the cheapest way from Guarulhos Airport to central São Paulo?

The CPTM Line 13-Jade train. A free shuttle links the terminals to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then the 'Expresso Aeroporto' train reaches Luz in the centre for R$5.40 in about 35–40 minutes (roughly 50 door-to-door).

Is the shuttle bus between the GRU terminals and the train station free?

Yes. GRU Airport runs a free connector bus (and the AeroGRU aeromóvel in the evenings) between all terminals and Aeroporto-Guarulhos station roughly every 15 minutes — no ticket needed.

How much is the train from GRU and do I need a special airport ticket?

R$5.40, the normal integrated CPTM/Metrô fare — there is no special airport ticket. Tap a contactless card or QR at the turnstile or buy at the booth; the single fare covers transfers to the Metrô for Sé or Paulista.

Should I take the Airport Bus Service instead?

Only for comfort. Those private executive coaches to Terminal Tietê or Paulista cost about R$42–47, roughly 8x the R$5.40 train, for a similar time in traffic.

How do I reach Paulista Avenue or Sé from the airport?

Take Line 13-Jade to Luz, then Metrô Line 4-Amarela for Paulista or Line 1-Azul for Sé. It's all one R$5.40 fare with free transfers, about an hour in total.

What is the best way from GRU to downtown São Paulo?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the free GRU Airport shuttle to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then the CPTM Line 13-Jade train to Luz for R$5.40, about 50 minutes door-to-door.

How do you get from São Paulo/Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to downtown São Paulo — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from São Paulo/Guarulhos Airport (GRU) into central São Paulo is the CPTM Line 13-Jade train: ride the free GRU Airport shuttle from your terminal to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then take the R$5.40 'Expresso Aeroporto' train straight to Luz in the city centre, about 50 minutes door-to-door. The single R$5.40 integrated fare also covers the connecting Metrô to Sé or Paulista with free transfers. Don't fall for the private 'Airport Bus Service' coaches (about R$42–47) or the taxi and Uber touts in arrivals quoting R$120 and up — the train is a fraction of the price.

How to find it

AIRPORTSão Paulo/Guarulhos – Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU)
01From arrivals at any terminal (1, 2 or 3), follow the 'Trem / CPTM / Estação' signs and board the FREE GRU Airport connector shuttle (or the AeroGRU aeromóvel in the evenings) to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station. It runs roughly every 15 minutes and takes about 10 minutes.
02At Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, pay the R$5.40 fare (tap a contactless card or QR, or buy at the booth) and board the 'Expresso Aeroporto' service on Line 13-Jade, which runs direct to central São Paulo.
03Ride about 35–40 minutes to Luz in the centre (the Expresso stops at Brás, Palmeiras-Barra Funda and Luz). At Luz, transfer free to Metrô Line 1-Azul for Sé, or Line 4-Amarela for República and Paulista.
CITY CENTRESão Paulo

Ticket

Single integrated CPTM / Metrô fare (Line 13-Jade), no special airport ticket

Where to buy: At the Aeroporto-Guarulhos CPTM station: the staffed booth, ticket machines, the CPTM/Metrô app (QR), or just tap a contactless bank card at the turnstile. The free shuttle from the terminals needs no ticket.

How to pay: The booth and machines take cash and cards; the app and contactless card pay straight at the gate. The single R$5.40 fare covers the connecting Metrô to Sé or Paulista with free transfers.

Local's trick: Board the 'Expresso Aeroporto' branded train, not the all-stops service — same R$5.40 but it runs straight to Luz and Barra Funda in about 35 minutes. It leaves at :05, :20, :35 and :50 past the hour from around 05:00 to midnight. Tap a contactless card at the turnstile to skip the ticket queue, and the one fare covers the onward Metrô to Sé or Paulista.

Trap to avoid: Skip the private 'Airport Bus Service' executive coaches to Terminal Tietê or Paulista (about R$42.50–46.50, and up to ~R$54) — roughly 8x the R$5.40 train for a similar time in traffic. Ignore the taxi and Uber touts inside arrivals quoting R$120–150; never arrange a ride with anyone who approaches you.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	R$5.40	50 min	Single integrated CPTM / Metrô fare (Line 13-Jade), no special airport ticket
Combination	R$5.40	1 h	Same single integrated CPTM / Metrô fare (Line 13-Jade + Line 12-Safira)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Guarulhos Airport to central São Paulo?: The CPTM Line 13-Jade train. A free shuttle links the terminals to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then the 'Expresso Aeroporto' train reaches Luz in the centre for R$5.40 in about 35–40 minutes (roughly 50 door-to-door).
Is the shuttle bus between the GRU terminals and the train station free?: Yes. GRU Airport runs a free connector bus (and the AeroGRU aeromóvel in the evenings) between all terminals and Aeroporto-Guarulhos station roughly every 15 minutes — no ticket needed.
How much is the train from GRU and do I need a special airport ticket?: R$5.40, the normal integrated CPTM/Metrô fare — there is no special airport ticket. Tap a contactless card or QR at the turnstile or buy at the booth; the single fare covers transfers to the Metrô for Sé or Paulista.
Should I take the Airport Bus Service instead?: Only for comfort. Those private executive coaches to Terminal Tietê or Paulista cost about R$42–47, roughly 8x the R$5.40 train, for a similar time in traffic.
How do I reach Paulista Avenue or Sé from the airport?: Take Line 13-Jade to Luz, then Metrô Line 4-Amarela for Paulista or Line 1-Azul for Sé. It's all one R$5.40 fare with free transfers, about an hour in total.
What is the best way from GRU to downtown São Paulo?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the free GRU Airport shuttle to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, then the CPTM Line 13-Jade train to Luz for R$5.40, about 50 minutes door-to-door.
How much is a taxi from Guarulhos Airport to the city?: Taxi and Uber touts inside arrivals quote R$120–150 — never arrange a ride with anyone who approaches you. The Line 13-Jade train does the trip for R$5.40.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.