Brazil - Need Suggestions - GRU / Sao Paulo layover (merged)

So here is the situation: We are friends in a party of 3 (early 30's) and have a connecting flight from Los Angeles to Floripa and the connecting flight is 10hrs long. If possible I would like to SAFELY see the city and experience some nightlife for at least a few hours. Any suggestions? Do they have night tours? Pub crawl? Any site seeing at that hour?

What I'm most interested in knowing:

1. Feasibility of leaving the airport for several hours of sightseeing and storing excess luggage in lockers/storage. Also question regarding carrying passport.

2. If (1) is possible, what to see and do? This will be the only stop in Sao Paulo for the trip.

Details:

Flight lands in GRU: 9:30pm

Flight leaves from GRU: 7:45am (next day)

We have just over 10 hours of total time in Sao Paulo assuming that the flights are on time. I figure if we land at 9:30, it may take up to 90 minutes to get baggage and go through customs. And on the return we would want to get back 2 hours before to check in for the connecting flight. Estimating 1hr travel time max between GRU and downtown each way that leaves us with just under 5 hrs in the city from 12:00am (midnight) to 4:45am. I figure traffic wouldn't be a big issue at those hours.

I've also heard mixed feelings about leaving luggage at the airport lockers & luggage storage. Some have said it's completely safe, others have said don't do it, just check in at the airport hotel and get some sleep! The idea was to store all unnecessary luggage in the lockers and head out to town for a few hours. Is this a good idea? Should I leave my original passport in the lockers and just take a copy with me in case it gets stolen/pickpocketed? (I can also bring my drivers license for additional identification if that will - not sure if carding is normal for restaurants/bars/clubs)

If it matters, this will be in December a few days before Christmas. I figure Paulista Avenue with all the street decor would be a good starting place. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Arriving from LAX at 9:30 pm after a long flght (your arrival time sounds like Copa, in which case you would have been traveling for many hours, including a change of planes in Panama), and then banking on maybe 1.5 hrs. to get through Immigration and Customs, putting you at maybe 11 p.m. (assuming the flight was on time) and then staying up all night in order to grab a quick, middle-of-the-night, view of downtown Sao Paulo? I've not used the baggage storage at GRU so can't opine on it or its opening hours. The airport, in the city of Guarulhos, is some distance from Sao Paulo, so, even if you take a taxi (expensive, but likely your only choice, since I don't think the shuttle busses run that late), you're getting into SP after midnight. There will certainly be things open, especially restaurants and clubs, but I doubt you'll find a tour, or other tourist attractions open. I personally would rather get a good night's sleep after such a long flight (no hotel in the airport but several nearby), but to each their own. If you want to try to hire an airport taxi and its driver for a few hours to drive to and through SP and back, ask in the airport to assistance (unless you can speak Portuguese). I wouldn't do it, out of cost and safety concerns (driving, much less walking, in the middle of a large Brazilian city in the middle of the night with all of my money and passport with me is not something I'd do). but others may disagree. You don't say how familiar you are with Brazil and how experienced you are dealing with the safety concerns there. I imagine others have done what you plan and have survived.

Arriving from LAX at 9:30 pm ...... and then banking on maybe 1.5 hrs. to get through Immigration and Customs, putting you at maybe 11 p.m......... I've not used the baggage storage at GRU so can't opine on it or its opening hours. The airport, in the city of Guarulhos, is some distance from Sao Paulo, so, even if you take a taxi (expensive, but likely your only choice, since I don't think the shuttle busses run that late), you're getting into SP after midnight........... but others may disagree.

I couldn't resist the invitation :p at least regarding the logistics.

While 1.5hrs getting through Immigration and Customs is not unknown at GRU in my experience it would be the exception rather than the rule especially at 9.30pm which is not peak arrival time for US/European flights and considering the Copa flight is only a 737. I would think half an hour would be more likely to get landside but could compromise and say an hour.
Baggage storage at GRU both lockers and real live Brasilians are attended 24hrs/day. If my memory serves me correctly the baggage service charges by the calendar day so if you drop your bag off at 2359 and pick it up 2mins later you will pay for 2 days and it is not inexpensive - a standard suit case will cost about $10/day to store! If there are 3 of you travelling and each of you wanted to store a suitcase and a carryon you might be looking at $90 just for luggage storage.If it is late at night and you have an early am domestic departure TAM or GOL might let you check your luggage in for the next day's flight
The last departure of the Airport Bus Service to Paulista leaves GRU at 2310 but there are later services to Republica: 0005,0130 etc. The last service to Itaim Bibi which might be considered a safer area for nightclub wandering than the city center leaves at 2330. You can even get the 257 bus to Metro Tatuape up until just after midnight for R4.05 as against the R30 for the Republica/Paulista service.But the metro itself only runs till about 0030 and I don't know that Tatuape would be top on my list of places to wander at night.
Apart from these points I agree completely with SoCal on the safety/security concerns but I am one of the others (who) have done what you plan and have survived.

I've used guard volumes (baggage storage) in Sao Paulo, Rio and other locations in Brazil and never had a problem.
It is not a good idea to carry your valuables around with you while wondering around SP at night. Even though I have never had any problems in Brazil I know of plenty of people who have.
Maybe you can find a privat guide that would show you around and party with you.

If it is late at night and you have an early am domestic departure TAM or GOL might let you check your luggage in for the next day's flight


I shall have a long transit layover at GRU but during the day. My plan is to hire a car with driver to take me around SAO for some quick sight-seeing, shopping and food before returning to the airport for my connecting flight. I have about 10 hours but practically about 7~8 after allowing for immigration, etc.

Question: Is it safe to through-check my bag with a 10-hour transit layover at GRU? Should I have it tagged to GRU only, collect to take it with me on my drive around and then re-check-in in the evening for my departure flight? I should be able to put my bag in the boot.

Thanks.

Through baggage checking seems like a good plan, as long as the airline interlines. I have only connected at GRU on an Intl ticket, and had no problems when I did so.

Immigration at GRU was horrendous the other week we went though it. I was totally fed up and knackered by the time we exited and we had just flown in from EZE.
I was glad when we made it to the Ibis just a few miles down the road had some dinner then crashed out.You're most likely a lot younger than me but I certainly wouldn't fancy going in to the city never mind going in to enjoy the nightlife.
Some people like doing crazy things like that right enough. :D

Through baggage checking seems like a good plan, as long as the airline interlines. I have only connected at GRU on an Intl ticket, and had no problems when I did so.

OP"s long connection time, and overnight at that, may mean they have to keep their bags. Good thing to ask the airline(s) involved.

OP"s long connection time, and overnight at that, may mean they have to keep their bags. Good thing to ask the airline(s) involved.

It’s *A to *A connection so it should not be an issue. However, I am somewhat uncomfortable to leaving the bag in the interline connection system at GRU for 10-hours hence my question. It’s my first travel through GRU. So I shall most likely ask the bag be tagged to GRU only so that I can retrieve it to take with me during my 10-hour roam around town. My plan is to hire a car with driver, so I should be able to easily put it in the boot. When I return to the airport later in the evening, I just have to go through the normal check in process.

Immigration at GRU was horrendous the other week we went though it. I was totally fed up and knackered by the time we exited and we had just flown in from EZE.
I was glad when we made it to the Ibis just a few miles down the road had some dinner then crashed out.You're most likely a lot younger than me but I certainly wouldn't fancy going in to the city never mind going in to enjoy the nightlife.
Some people like doing crazy things like that right enough. :D

Just curious - what time did you arrive in GRU? JJ's first flight from EZE arrives at 11:50AM and I shall be taking this flight.

It’s *A to *A connection so it should not be an issue. However, I am somewhat uncomfortable to leaving the bag in the interline connection system at GRU for 10-hours hence my question. It’s my first travel through GRU. So I shall most likely ask the bag be tagged to GRU only so that I can retrieve it to take with me during my 10-hour roam around town. My plan is to hire a car with driver, so I should be able to easily put it in the boot. When I return to the airport later in the evening, I just have to go through the normal check in process.

What's *A to *A connection mean? In the U.S., I've run into restrictions on the amount of time I could have between flights for a direct bag transfer (and not been able to do it for an overnight connection), but that's obviously something OP can confirm with the airline. At GRU, one has to go to a transfer cherck-in counter outside of Customs (or, if that is closed, the airline's check-in counter upstairs), and I'm not sure they'd accept check-in 10 hours in advance. Having all of your bags and possessions in the car that you drive around SP for the night (not just driving point A to point B)? And what happens if you want to get out to have dinner, a few drinks, etc.

What's *A to *A connection mean? In the U.S., I've run into restrictions on the amount of time I could have between flights for a direct bag transfer (and not been able to do it for an overnight connection), but that's obviously something OP can confirm with the airline. At GRU, one has to go to a transfer cherck-in counter outside of Customs (or, if that is closed, the airline's check-in counter upstairs), and I'm not sure they'd accept check-in 10 hours in advance. Having all of your bags and possessions in the car that you drive around SP for the night (not just driving point A to point B)? And what happens if you want to get out to have dinner, a few drinks, etc.

Sorry, I meant from one Star Alliance (*A) airline to another Star Alliance (*A) airline on the same day. I am not the OP (Snow King is the OP) but "piggy back" on this thread with a question as my itinerary is more or less the same except arriving GRU in the late morning and departing 10 hours later in the same evening. So it's sort of a day trip to Sao Paulo, not overnight as the case with Snow King.

My question was whether it would be wise to through-check my bag with a very long (10-hour) transit connection at GRU? This is on the assumption that the first airline flying me into GRU would be willing to do it.

From what I see, it is an international to domestic connection, so you MUST get the bags at GRU, pass customs and then re-check. TAM usually will not check the bags 10 hours in advance, but the agent may be nice and do it if you ask.

From what I see, it is an international to domestic connection,

No, I shall be arriving GRU on an international flight from EZE in the morning and shall be leaving GRU on an international flight to North America in the same evening.

Oops, sorry, read the OP and was wondering why everybody suggests checking the luggage through

No, I shall be arriving GRU on an international flight from EZE in the morning and shall be leaving GRU on an international flight to North America in the same evening.

We seem to have 2 separate threads intertwining.

Clipper 801, you might want to start your own thread to reduce confusion. OP said that they are arriving at night, on an international flight (from LAX), and continuing on, via a domestic flight, the next mornig. International to domestic connections (especially overnight) are different than international to international connections (occurring the same day).

With a typical, same day international to domestic connection at GRU, OP would proceed, with their bags, out of Customs, out the doors of the "secure" area, to a transit desk (or, if that's closed, to a the airline counters upstairs), and check in for their next flight. I dont know if they will be able to do that with a 10 hour connection time. They should be able to confirm that in advance with the carrier for their domestic flight. I thought I saw rules about a 6 or 7 hour time limit, but we were able to check our bags through to a domestic flight when we had an 8 hour connection at GIG recently (it was not an overnight connection). That's for OP.

For Clipper 801: For international to international connection, one would typically remain inside the secure area and proceed to the gate for their next flight (after one disembarks, airline or airport personnel will ask who's connecting to an international flight and direct them accordingly), but if they have a Brazilian visa (or don't need one) and have the boarding pass for their next flight (or are getting that at GRU), they should be able to leave the secure area, and go into Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, or wherever.

For OP, when they depart, or for anyone else: for all domestic to international connections I've made in Brazil, my bags have been checked through (never had an overnight connection, so can't say what would happen in that case), but I still had to leave the secure area and get in line at the counter of my international carrier to get my boarding pass there. Then go back through security, to my gate.

Your preview of timings is about right, you should have some 5 hours of free time in downtown Sao Paulo. SP's night life is great, I think you should make the effort to try to experience it.

Paulista Ave & surroundings are always a good bet. You can check out the Xmas decors and than head to a restaurant for dinner (locals go out for diner pretty late). Churrascarias (all you can eat BBQs) and Japanese food a local favorites and one of the few things that are still more or less reasonably priced compared to US/Europe.

After that go down Rua Augusta towards the city center (the side with the Safra - a local bank - building in the corner) and try one of the many bars and clubs in the area: Z Carniceria, Sarajevo, Volt, Vegas, Studio SP are some examples. This area is safe as night (just as it is in any big city in the world - just exercise caution). You won't need your passport with you, in case you need to be ID'd you can show locals/bouncers your driving license from home.

Finally regarding your luggage, you can try to check it in for your onward flight, otherwise you can leave it at the airports luggage storage. If you're concerned about your stuff, just make sure to lock the zippers - your whole piece of luggage won't disappear from there!

Forgot to mention: there's a pub crawl service in SP. Check it out on http://www.pubcrawlsp.com

Cheers!

I am flying in rom VVI (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) and heading to LDB (Londrina, Brazil). I arrive at 530pm and my next flight leaves at 1150pm. I will be checking ONE bag.

I was wondering if I can do any of the following:

1) Do I have access to the Admirals club?

2) Do you think I have time to leave the airport and get a decent bite to eat? I have in GRU before and the food options are terrible, and the most time I have spent at that airport is about 1-2 hours.

3) If I cannot leave the airport or access the Admirals Club, what other lounges are there?

Thank for all the help.

I am flying in rom VVI (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) and heading to LDB (Londrina, Brazil). I arrive at 530pm and my next flight leaves at 1150pm. I will be checking ONE bag.

I was wondering if I can do any of the following:

1) Do I have access to the Admirals club?

2) Do you think I have time to leave the airport and get a decent bite to eat? I have in GRU before and the food options are terrible, and the most time I have spent at that airport is about 1-2 hours.

3) If I cannot leave the airport or access the Admirals Club, what other lounges are there?

Thank for all the help.

The Admirals Club is in the international departures area, no, you cannot access the AC

The ride to the city is quite long, at least 30-40 mins. Sometimes traffic can be really really bad, specially in the evening, and the ride back can take up to 2 hours, seriously. I would not risk going to Sao Paulo.

An option might be near the airport but I don't know about the area around the airport, it looked to me pretty poor, like it would not be better or safer than at the airport. I may be wrong. I am not a local.

The Admirals Club is in the international departures area, no, you cannot access the AC.

This is correct. Sorry, no lounge access. If it makes you feel better, the AA lounge (and the other lounges I've visited in GRU) are nothing special and often crowded. All lounges that I am aware of are in the international departures airside

The ride to the city is quite long, at least 30-40 mins. Sometimes traffic can be really really bad, specially in the evening, and the ride back can take up to 2 hours, seriously. I would not risk going to Sao Paulo.

No way would I risk headed into SP during such a short layover. The traffic is often horrific and you could easily miss your flight. I've had it take 2 hours on the return many a time, then the line for security can be really long too. Yes the food sucks in GRU. I've just ended up going for walks the length of the airport to stretch my legs and chill out.

An option might be near the airport but I don't know about the area around the airport, it looked to me pretty poor, like it would not be better or safer than at the airport. I may be wrong. I am not a local.

Not much around the airport. I'd stick with staying within the airport. Have a coffee and people watch

Guess people watching will be what I am planning on doing.

While I would agree with the other posters under normal circumstances, I will say that, given your flight times, you could go into SP if you don't mind spending the $50 each way on a cab. You will be against traffic going in. I've done that trip in 45 min that time of day. Coming back will be really late and you really shouldn't have a 2 hour trip.

All that said, in still not sure I'd bother for ~3 hours unless you really hate the airport.

There are decent restaurants in Guarulhos, but also not sure I'd bother doing it.

...given your flight times, you could go into SP if you don't mind spending the $50 each way on a cab. You will be against traffic going in. I've done that trip in 45 min that time of day. Coming back will be really late and you really shouldn't have a 2 hour trip.


If OP risks going into town and misses the flight, can OP call YOU for the extra-expenses and perhaps you could also spare the OP a SWU or some miles?

;)

If OP risks going into town and misses the flight, can OP call YOU for the extra-expenses and perhaps you could also spare the OP a SWU or some miles?

;)

Sure, the OP can call me, but I certainly won't provide any compensation :D

Just providing another data point. Maybe I've just been lucky, but all 3 times I've been, all returning on midnight flights back to the US, I've never taken more than an hour to get to the airport. If this were leaving the city between 5 and 7 or 8, then yeah, no way I'd do it. You can barely get around the city at those hours.

What is a decent restaurant in GRU?

Just providing another data point. Maybe I've just been lucky, but all 3 times I've been, all returning on midnight flights back to the US, I've never taken more than an hour to get to the airport. If this were leaving the city between 5 and 7 or 8, then yeah, no way I'd do it. You can barely get around the city at those hours.

I am another who thinks there is time to go into the city on a 6-hour layover. The traffic is indeed terrible, but it's not that terrible. Last Monday night (2/25), I took the 5:40 pm airport bus from Avenida Paulista/Alameda Campinas (just SE of MASP). Even with a c. 10 minute stop at Praça da República, we reached GRU T2 before 7:00.

That being said, I wouldn't bother doing it. It's not like there are charming neighborhoods in which you'd want to just stroll around for a couple of hours, and museums and the like will be closed. I think airport people-watching is the right call.

Well, we've now addressed the AA portion of the queries. (No, AA lounge access will not be possible.) The rest of the queries pertain to Sao Paulo and the GRU airport, thus not specific to AA. Please follow this thread as it moves to the Brazil forum. Thanks! :) /JY1024, AA forum co-moderator

Arriving international 0530am and leaving international 1940pm, I'd like to go into town for a bit. If I only have hand luggage [and presumably boarding pass], when would be the good time to leave city for the airport?

Might be worth mentioning that the day in question is Friday :)

Arriving international 0530am and leaving international 1940pm, I'd like to go into town for a bit. If I only have hand luggage [and presumably boarding pass], when would be the good time to leave city for the airport?

Might be worth mentioning that the day in question is Friday :)


You'll be running into rush hour traffic. You should get to the airport 2 hours in advance of an international flight, at least. It might take up to 2 hours to get out there from, say, the Jardins neighbhorhood, with traffic, and if it rains, all bets are off. Leave the city at 15:30, I'd say or a bit earlier.
Try to leave any luggage at the airport. Avoid carrying visible valuables in S.P.

Having been to S.P., personally I'd opt for a day room at a hotel in Guarulhos town, with a nice pool, and stay put.

Try to leave any luggage at the airport. Avoid carrying visible valuables in S.P.


Thanks. I take it Malex do Brasil place is the only option for that?


Operated by Malex do Brasil, the left-luggage office opens 24 hours every day. A small luggage will cost you 8.00 BRL per day, middle one will cost you 9.00 BRL and a big one will cost you 13.00 BRL. This airport address is PO Box 3061, Guarulhos, São Paulo 07141-970, Brazil and telephone number is (011) 6445 2945.

[QUOTE=Redhead;20357826]This is correct. Sorry, no lounge access. If it makes you feel better, the AA lounge (and the other lounges I've visited in GRU) are nothing special and often crowded. All lounges that I am aware of are in the international departures airside

/QUOTE]

Am Ex Centurion Club, and maybe a couple of other such clubs, are outside security. The Centurion, at least, is okay, but not as nice as an airline club, with small snacks and no free booze. We've used it when connecting from international to domestic flights so didn't have access to an airline club. Admirals Club was fine, and had decent snacks and some free booze. United Club a tad better. Used to have showers, but no longer. We'll be using the Delta Sky Club for the first time in late May.

United Club a tad better. Used to have showers, but no longer.

SoCal, the showers at the GRU United Club were temporarily being used as the women's bathroom while they remodeled the actual bathrooms. Showers are back in operation. Daughter used them on Feb 8, 2013, when we arrived on UA 861.

We seem to have 3 separate scenarios being discussed:
1) International to domestic: after Customs, one goes to a transfer desk on the lower level, at least for TAM and Gol, and hands over their checked bags, and gets their boarding pass. Then upstairs to domestic flight entrance, security, and on to the gate.
2) Domestic to International: As noted, bags will be checked through (assuming it's one itinerary and the airlines have an agreement), but one does need to exit security and get a boarding pass (and do the usual passport screening) at the check-in desk of the flight for the international flights. These desks may not open until 3-4 hours before the flight and you just have to wait to check in. Then into the internationalflight area, go through security and government passport control (they ask for the paper you got when you came in), and to your gate.
3) International to international: I haven't done this for many years, and that was Transbrasil EZE to GRU to IAD. I was surprised I had to retrieve my bags at GRU. However, I understand that most people do not have to do this for international transfers. Though, of course, if the person is exiting the secure area to see the city or whatever, they must have a Brazilian visa, and there is a limit to the amount of time one can stay between flights to have it counted as a direct tansfer (and not need a visa).