What is the difference between GRU and CGH airports in São Paulo?

GRU (Guarulhos International) is São Paulo's main international airport, located 25 km from the city centre. All international flights and most long-haul domestic routes use GRU. CGH (Congonhas Airport) is a compact domestic airport within the city, mainly used by LATAM, Azul, and GOL for shuttle services to Rio, Brasília, and other Brazilian cities. CGH is far more convenient if your trip is purely domestic.

How do I get from GRU to São Paulo city centre?

The Expresso Aeroporto bus (line Airport Service) is the fastest option off-peak — around 50–60 minutes to Paulista Avenue for around BRL 50. Grab (rideshare) works at GRU and typically costs BRL 80–150 depending on traffic and destination. Off-peak takes 45 minutes; peak hours can stretch to 90 minutes. Taxis at the official rank are reliable but more expensive than Grab.

What is LATAM's carry-on allowance in Brazil?

LATAM's economy cabin bag limit is 55 × 35 × 25 cm and 8 kg. This is a slightly narrower bag than international budget airline standards — double-check your bag dimensions before flying, particularly the 35 cm depth. LATAM enforces weight limits on busy Brazilian routes.

What is the dress code for business travel in São Paulo?

São Paulo is Brazil's business capital and dresses significantly smarter than Rio de Janeiro or beach destinations. Business meetings expect smart business casual at minimum — collared shirts, trousers, and closed shoes for men; equivalent professional attire for women. Pack at least one formal outfit if meetings are on the agenda.

Is Campos do Jordão worth a weekend trip from São Paulo?

Yes — Campos do Jordão is a mountain town around 180 km northeast of São Paulo, at 1,600 m altitude, and is dramatically cooler than the city. It is a genuine winter destination (June–August) with temperatures sometimes below 5°C. If visiting Campos do Jordão, bring a proper winter layer — this is the one occasion where a carry-on-only trip to Brazil requires warm clothes.

Carry-On for São Paulo: LATAM, Azul, GOL and GRU vs CGH

São Paulo is the business and financial capital of South America — a megacity of 22 million people, home to the continent's largest stock exchange, and the hub for Brazil's domestic aviation network. Whether you're arriving for work or using it as a base for wider Brazil travel, understanding the two airports and the domestic airline carry-on rules is essential before you board.

GRU vs CGH: Two Airports, Two Situations

São Paulo has two commercial airports with radically different purposes:

GRU — Guarulhos International Airport: The main international gateway, 25 km northeast of the city. All international flights land here, as do most long-haul and medium-haul domestic routes. GRU is large — five terminals — and requires serious time: allow a minimum of 2.5 hours before international departure. Immigration queues on arrival can be 30–60 minutes. The Expresso Aeroporto bus and Grab both serve GRU efficiently off-peak.

CGH — Congonhas Airport: A compact domestic airport within the city, about 8 km from the Paulista business district. CGH handles high-frequency domestic shuttle routes — the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro shuttle (ponte aérea) is one of the world's busiest air routes, running nearly every 30 minutes. CGH is dramatically more convenient for domestic travel: 20–30 minutes to Paulista by taxi or Grab, and a small, navigable terminal. If your trip is domestic only, CGH changes your entire travel day.

Airline Carry-On Quick Reference

Airline	Cabin Bag Size	Weight	Notes
LATAM (economy)	55 × 35 × 25 cm	8 kg	Depth 35 cm — narrower than usual
Azul	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	Some fares include hold bag
GOL	35 × 25 × 58 cm	10 kg	Strict enforcement on busy routes

LATAM's 35 cm depth limit is the outlier to watch — standard carry-on bags are often 40–45 cm deep. Measure your bag before flying LATAM. If it fails the sizer frame, you pay to check it at the gate.

LATAM, Azul, and GOL Policies in Detail

LATAM Airlines is Brazil's largest carrier and operates out of both GRU and CGH. Economy fares allow one cabin bag (55 × 35 × 25 cm, 8 kg). LATAM has enforced this dimension limit at busy airports including GRU and Congonhas. A personal item (laptop bag or small backpack) is also permitted.

Azul Brazilian Airlines offers 10 kg at 55 × 40 × 20 cm. Azul serves GRU and Campinas (VCP, 100 km from São Paulo — an airport almost no one outside Brazil knows to avoid). Check which airport Azul is using before booking.

GOL Airlines also enforces a 10 kg limit. GOL is price-competitive and popular on the São Paulo–Rio and São Paulo–Brasília shuttles from CGH. Enforcement varies by route — busier routes see more bag checking.

What to Pack for São Paulo

São Paulo is not a beach city — it sits at 760 m altitude in the interior of São Paulo state. The climate is subtropical: warm and humid in summer (December–March, often with afternoon thunderstorms) and mild and occasionally cold in winter (June–August). Pack differently depending on season.

Year-round business travel:

3–4 smart shirts or blouses (wrinkle-resistant fabric is practical in humidity)
1–2 pairs of smart trousers or tailored chinos
1 blazer or smart jacket (São Paulo offices are air-conditioned intensely)
Leather shoes or smart flats
2–3 casual outfits for evenings (São Paulo has outstanding restaurants — smart-casual works for most)

Summer addition (December–March):

1 compact umbrella or packable rain shell — afternoon storms are sudden and heavy

Winter addition (June–August) if visiting Campos do Jordão:

1 warm mid-layer (fleece or wool)
1 windproof or waterproof outer layer
Temperatures at Campos do Jordão can drop below 5°C

Weekend Options from São Paulo

Campos do Jordão (180 km, 3 hours by car): A Swiss-influenced mountain town at 1,600 m. Cold, charming, and very different from coastal Brazil. In winter this is a popular weekend escape for Paulistanos.

Santos and Guarujá (80 km, 60–90 min by car or bus): The nearest beaches. Santos has a charming historic waterfront; Guarujá is beach resort territory. Day trips are feasible; overnight is better.

GRU Airport Tips

GRU's international terminal (Terminal 3) is large and modern. Queues build significantly before morning international departure waves. Key timing rules:

International flights: 2.5 hours minimum before departure. 3 hours in peak season.
Domestic from GRU: 90 minutes is usually sufficient but can stretch in peak hours.
Grab is reliable at GRU and significantly cheaper than official airport taxis.
The Expresso Aeroporto bus stops at major Paulista and Jardins area hotels — useful if your hotel is near the route.

Airside at GRU Terminal 3 has a range of food options, coffee, and a reasonable duty-free. Brazilian cachaça (sugar cane spirit) is available airside — buy it here rather than before security.

Bottom Line

São Paulo is a work-trip city that rewards smart packing: one good business outfit, wrinkle-resistant fabrics, and a light layer for aggressive air conditioning. LATAM's 35 cm depth limit is the most common surprise — measure before you fly. Use CGH for domestic connections and save 45 minutes each way over GRU. Grab works at both airports and is the fastest, most cost-effective way into the city.