Guarulhos is a large city in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, sitting northeast of the state capital. For most travellers it registers first as the home of São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), the primary airport serving São Paulo, but it is also a city in its own right, with an industrial base and a commuter relationship to the capital.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself relative to the airport and to São Paulo. The areas that matter for a booking decision are the airport itself and the neighbourhood around the air force base and airport complex, known as Cumbica. This guide covers those areas, what kind of traveller each suits, and the transport links that connect them.
Best areas to stay in Guarulhos
1. GRU Airport (within the terminals)
Accommodation exists inside São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport itself, in the form of sleep-and-shower hotels. One sits in Terminal 2 near domestic arrivals, and another occupies a corridor on the second floor between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
This suits travellers with long layovers, early departures or late arrivals who want to avoid any transfer at all. It is not a base for seeing the city; it is a base for the airport. The advantage is that you never leave the terminal, and the airport is connected to the São Paulo commuter rail system by Line 13–Jade, which links it with Engenheiro Goulart station.
2. Cumbica
Cumbica is the neighbourhood that gives its name to the airport complex, and it has hosted the São Paulo Air Force Base since 1945, when the base was transferred there from Campo de Marte in São Paulo. The airport opened in Cumbica in 1985.
Staying here puts you immediately beside the airport rather than inside it, which suits travellers who want a conventional hotel room near their flight rather than a terminal sleeping pod. The area is defined by the airport and the air force base, so expect an airport-oriented setting rather than a sightseeing district. The main highway serving Guarulhos, the Rodovia Presidente Dutra, runs through the city and connects it toward São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: sleep-and-shower style accommodation inside the airport terminals, aimed at short stays and layovers rather than full hotel stays.
- Mid-range: conventional hotels in the airport area, including the Cumbica neighbourhood, with standard room facilities such as phones, internet access and data ports.
- Splurge: full-service hotels in the airport area, with a broader range of in-room business and connectivity amenities.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself at GRU Airport or in the immediately surrounding airport area in Cumbica. Guarulhos is primarily a gateway to São Paulo rather than a sightseeing destination, and the airport is directly connected to the metropolitan rail network via Line 13–Jade, so you can reach the capital without needing a car. If your trip is built around a flight rather than the city, staying at or beside the airport removes the transfer entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay inside Guarulhos Airport without leaving the terminal?
Yes. There are sleep-and-shower hotels inside GRU Airport, one in Terminal 2 near domestic arrivals and another on the second floor between Terminals 1 and 2.
How do I get from Guarulhos Airport to São Paulo by train?
The Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos commuter rail system's Line 13–Jade connects the airport with Engenheiro Goulart station, where you can continue into the São Paulo network.
Which neighbourhood should I stay in if I want to be near the airport?
Cumbica, the neighbourhood that hosts the airport and the São Paulo Air Force Base, is the area immediately beside the airport complex.
Is Guarulhos a good base for sightseeing in São Paulo?
It is a practical base for the airport, not a sightseeing district. If your priority is the city of São Paulo, the rail link via Line 13–Jade is what makes Guarulhos workable as a base, but you will be travelling in for the sights.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.