Overnight airside at GRU
 

We're arriving at GRU 11:30 PM off AA and connecting on TAM to EZE at 8:30 AM. Rather than entering Brazil (big visa cost) and spending money on a hotel room that we won't get much use of, we're planning on just hanging out at the airport. In J on both legs so we can use the Admirals Club until it closes at 1:30 AM, then the TAM lounge that opens at 6.

Any suggestions for what to do for the 4 1/2 hours between? I think the TAM lounge is in a different terminal and I believe we can walk between them airside, but what would experienced travelers through GRU do with the extra time? Thanks.

Have you checked out the GRU page at www.sleepinginairports.com?

You're correct, TAM lounge is in Terminal 1 and AC in Terminal 2. Both terminals are connected airside, so no worries there. Leaving the AC, just turn left and walk all the way.

Not much stays open overnight in GRU, if anything at all. I'd have at least some water and a little snack with me just in case.

For somebody that has been through GRU many times this year... thats gonna suck. It's only 4hrs, and if you're tired enough, you'll manage to sleep anywhere. Good Luck!! Other than the lounges, there is really nothing thats airside. A snack shop or two, that late at night, it will be closed.

:confused:

I used an airside "hotel". Great value, clean and comfortable. You should be able to find it with an online search.

In GRU? Are you sure? Never heard of an airside hotel there. There is a couple of airport hotels there, but all after you go through customs and immigration. This is the first time I hear something about an airside one. I'll certainly look for it next time I'm there.

Gosh, you had me worried there! Too many airports, too many hotels ...

But here you are:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/br/harb...rulhos.en.html

I was there in May, but although the harbor hotels chain still exists, they seem to have lost the GRU property.

Actually it wasn't all that great - tiny, tiny rooms - but it saved the hassle of transfers, it was cheap, and for one person and his cabin-baggage it was just fine.

Thanks, that is great! I've been paxing in GRU literally dozens of times and had never noticed this. I'll certainly have this in the back of my mind next time I'm connecting there.

When I was last in GRU (September) I was on a quest for a shower. After asking at the AF lounge (no showers) I went to the DL lounge. No showers there either, but the lounge attendant told me there was an airport hotel where I could take a shower, she indicated it was inside security. I couldn't be bothered to go find it. So, who knows, there may still be one.

I stumbled on this one on my last trip to GRU while looking for a shower before heading to the city for meetings. It's not fancy, but very practical. My recollection is that it's located outside of the arrivals area, however.

I stand corrected by hardiwv below.

http://www.fastsleep.com.br/index.html

The above Fast Sleep hotel has two facilities located inside GRU, one is airside, located between the terminals (in the airside tunel which links the business lounges of terminal 1 and terminal 2). This means you do not need to clear immigration.

Rgs,

Thanks for the confirmation, HARDIWV. I wasn't imagining it :)