Connection time at GRU international->domestic
#1
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Connection time at GRU international->domestic
On March 2 I will arrive at GRU on IB6827 from MAD at 06:35 AM, and from there I'd like to continue to Rio.
Will I have a chance to catch LA3807 to SDU at 08:35 AM? I saw that the MCT was 2 hours, and last time I was at GRU (same routing), I felt that I had to wait 1.5 hours or so at passport control...
Better book a later flight?
Will I have a chance to catch LA3807 to SDU at 08:35 AM? I saw that the MCT was 2 hours, and last time I was at GRU (same routing), I felt that I had to wait 1.5 hours or so at passport control...
Better book a later flight?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 185
I’ve had super quick immigration lines last few times I passed through GRU- think 15 min or so. I’ve run into problems with baggage claim and bag recheck however where one or the other made me wait nearly an hour. In short, yes I think an 835 is possible but I would give myself more time to be safe.
#3
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I will be traveling with hand luggage only, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Do you think it's safe then?
2 hours is exactly the official MCT...
Do you think it's safe then?
2 hours is exactly the official MCT...
Last edited by ChocolateFactory; Oct 11, 2018 at 4:33 am
#5
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Hmmm... https://www.flightstats.com/v2/fligh...ng/IB/6827/MAD
Yes, there are other flights, of course, but with other airlines, and it's all not cheap and will only get more expensive as it's carnival season...
Yes, there are other flights, of course, but with other airlines, and it's all not cheap and will only get more expensive as it's carnival season...
#6
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Similar situation, if I may: 11:55 am arrival to Term. 3 of GRU , I would like to catch the 14:00 flight to SDU on TAM. It's been ages since I went through GRU, what terminal does TAM domestic (Rio flights) use? No luggage and off the plane from business class. Doable?
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Similar situation, if I may: 11:55 am arrival to Term. 3 of GRU , I would like to catch the 14:00 flight to SDU on TAM. It's been ages since I went through GRU, what terminal does TAM domestic (Rio flights) use? No luggage and off the plane from business class. Doable?
Oh, TAM domestic is in T-2, which is comprised of two wings. After you clear security for T-2, to the left is the pier for both International and domestic. The pier to the right is just domestic. Most Tam domestic flights go out of the left hand pier to my knowledge. GOL and some others uses the right hand one. The GOL and TAM lounges if you have time and are eligible, are to the right, thru duty free, on second level.
Last edited by qfrodo; Dec 19, 2018 at 12:45 pm Reason: add TAM location and lounge info
#9
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I ended up postponing this trip.
I will arrive at GRU from MAD on a Saturday morning at 05:40AM and have to following options to get to SDU (separate ticket, so the connection would not be protected):
08:05AM on GOL (connection time of 2:25h)
08:35AM on LATAM (connection time of 2:55h)
10:15AM on GOL (connection time of 4:35h)
My return flight will depart from GRU at 3:30PM and I have the following options to fly SDU-GRU:
09:35AM-10:40AM on GOL (connection time of 4:50h)
11:40AM-12:45PM on LATAM (connection time of 2:45h)
11:45AM-12:55PM on GOL (connection time of 2:35h)
I can't miss my flight home. Which flights would you choose? GOL is cheapest, but they have one-way pricing, so I could fly LATAM one way and GOL the other, or vice versa.
I have Oneworld status (even LATAM Platinum), but no SkyTeam status. But GOL is cheaper.
I'm slightly inclined to fly GOL both ways because they have more frequent flights. Maybe I can find a cheap flexible ticket.
What would you do?
Edit: Never mind, I ended up booking GOL. They had a cheap flex ticket for the outbound.
I will arrive at GRU from MAD on a Saturday morning at 05:40AM and have to following options to get to SDU (separate ticket, so the connection would not be protected):
08:05AM on GOL (connection time of 2:25h)
08:35AM on LATAM (connection time of 2:55h)
10:15AM on GOL (connection time of 4:35h)
My return flight will depart from GRU at 3:30PM and I have the following options to fly SDU-GRU:
09:35AM-10:40AM on GOL (connection time of 4:50h)
11:40AM-12:45PM on LATAM (connection time of 2:45h)
11:45AM-12:55PM on GOL (connection time of 2:35h)
I can't miss my flight home. Which flights would you choose? GOL is cheapest, but they have one-way pricing, so I could fly LATAM one way and GOL the other, or vice versa.
I have Oneworld status (even LATAM Platinum), but no SkyTeam status. But GOL is cheaper.
I'm slightly inclined to fly GOL both ways because they have more frequent flights. Maybe I can find a cheap flexible ticket.
What would you do?
Edit: Never mind, I ended up booking GOL. They had a cheap flex ticket for the outbound.
Last edited by ChocolateFactory; Jul 6, 2019 at 5:12 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Can I hijack this thread?,
I’m arriving into GRU at 6.15 on BA in First. Would it be feasible to get the 8.10 to SDU? Otherwise it is a long wait for the 12.20. I’m thinking of buying a flexible ticket anyway.
I’m arriving into GRU at 6.15 on BA in First. Would it be feasible to get the 8.10 to SDU? Otherwise it is a long wait for the 12.20. I’m thinking of buying a flexible ticket anyway.
#11
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I did that two weeks ago or so. I was first off the plane and was through immigration in 5 minutes.
However, after me two widebody loads of passengers arrived. That could have made for a long wait.
Then I walked 10-15 minutes to the other terminal (one floor up) and went through security again.
I tried to rebook to the earlier flight for free, but it was not just fully booked, but oversold.
So I had to wait in the lounge for ~4 hours.
I would go for the 8.10 flight. But hurry when you leave the aircraft to avoid the lines at immigration.
If you wan to play it safe, 10 is certainly better. But most likely, 8 should work fine.
Oh, and I travel hand luggage only. With checked bags, it would have been a different story.
Edit: Also please be aware that there is no security fast track at SDU, just one large line. I almost missed my flight back because of that.
At GRU, there was no fast track either, but at least they had enough open checkpoints.
However, after me two widebody loads of passengers arrived. That could have made for a long wait.
Then I walked 10-15 minutes to the other terminal (one floor up) and went through security again.
I tried to rebook to the earlier flight for free, but it was not just fully booked, but oversold.
So I had to wait in the lounge for ~4 hours.
I would go for the 8.10 flight. But hurry when you leave the aircraft to avoid the lines at immigration.
If you wan to play it safe, 10 is certainly better. But most likely, 8 should work fine.
Oh, and I travel hand luggage only. With checked bags, it would have been a different story.
Edit: Also please be aware that there is no security fast track at SDU, just one large line. I almost missed my flight back because of that.
At GRU, there was no fast track either, but at least they had enough open checkpoints.
Last edited by ChocolateFactory; Sep 4, 2019 at 5:29 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Thanks. There isn’t a 10am option so being able to get the 8.10 is important. Six hours to wait for a connection.
I’m considering going straight to Rio but that doesn’t have a First option on BA. First world problems
The next flight is to EZE so thankfully I’ll avoid SDU on the outbound. It looks a lot closer to the centre than GIG.
I’m considering going straight to Rio but that doesn’t have a First option on BA. First world problems
The next flight is to EZE so thankfully I’ll avoid SDU on the outbound. It looks a lot closer to the centre than GIG.
#13
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Yes, definitely go to SDU. Depending on traffic, it can take up to 2 hours to get from GIG to Copacabana.
From SDU, it’s 15 minutes.
Just be aware that GOL departs from a different terminal than BA (assuming that BA arrives in the same terminal as Iberia). I didn’t see a way to make the connection airside, so you’ll need to clear security again.
From SDU, it’s 15 minutes.
Just be aware that GOL departs from a different terminal than BA (assuming that BA arrives in the same terminal as Iberia). I didn’t see a way to make the connection airside, so you’ll need to clear security again.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
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I'd be comfortable booking a separate ticket 2 hours later, and it seems you understand the risks.
IMO the difference between SDU And GIG is not as extreme as others have made out. I go to Rio 4 times a year and whilst SDU is preferable, I wouldn't die in a ditch over it
#15
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I guess it depends. When we were there for NYE, it was 90-120 minutes from GIG to Copacabana.
Obviously it’s much less when there is less traffic.
Obviously it’s much less when there is less traffic.