I’ve flown all over Brazil for work and family. Red-eye, rain, holiday rush—you name it. I’ve had smooth mornings and messy nights. You know what? Brazil’s airports surprised me. Some felt warm and easy. Some felt, well, loud and long. Here’s my take, from my own trips.
For deeper dives into Brazil’s aviation quirks and travel culture, I sometimes browse BrazzilMag, which is packed with sharp local insight.
If you’d like another road-tested perspective, check out this detailed, hands-on review of airports across Brazil.
São Paulo: Big, Busy, and Very Real
GRU (Guarulhos) — The giant hub
GRU is huge. I’ve used all three terminals, but most long flights use Terminal 3. I once landed at 5 a.m. from an overnight flight. Immigration snaked like a theme park ride. It took me about 45 minutes. Not bad for that hour, but still a slog.
- Food I actually eat: Casa do Pão de Queijo for pão de queijo, Rei do Mate for tea and cheese bread. Simple wins.
- Rides: The ride-app pick-up is marked “Aplicativos.” I followed signs and waited by the curb. It worked, but there were taxi touts inside who bugged me. I just kept walking.
- Wi-Fi: Free, but it made me re-register a few times. Annoying, not awful.
- Lounges: The LATAM Lounge in T3 has showers. I used one after a 9-hour flight. I felt human again.
Tip from my last layover: bring a power adapter (Type N or C). My US plug did not fit the wall.
For a broader snapshot of what thousands of other travelers think about Brazil’s busiest airport—from queue times to lounge quality—the independent Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport Customer Reviews – SKYTRAX page is a quick, data-rich read.
CGH (Congonhas) — Fast to downtown, wild at rush hour
I love the quick ride from the city. I don’t love the lines at 7 a.m. I once hit a 30-minute security shuffle on a Monday. People were grumpy. I was too. But the landing views? Pretty cool over the city.
- Food: A quick coxinha and a coffee works fine here.
- Flights: Short runway means some firm landings. My seatmate clutched the armrest. I smiled and said, “It’s normal.”
VCP (Viracopos, Campinas) — Azul country
This place is calm. I flew Azul to Recife and used self bag drop. You print the tag, you scan it, and off it goes. Security took five minutes. The catch? It’s far from São Paulo. My ride took over an hour, and that was without rain.
Rio de Janeiro: Glam vs. Practical
SDU (Santos Dumont) — Right by the water
I love SDU. The approach slides by Sugarloaf and the bay. I once landed at sunset and almost clapped. It’s small and quick. Great for flights to São Paulo and Brasília. I’ve walked in with 45 minutes to spare and made it fine.
GIG (Galeão) — Big, but can feel empty late
This one is farther from the city. I arrived near midnight once. It felt quiet, almost too quiet. Baggage took 25 minutes. The ride-app area worked fine, but I stuck close to signs. Staff were helpful, though tired like me.
For candid snapshots of facilities, staff friendliness, and late-night vibes at Galeão, scroll through the crowd-sourced Rio De Janeiro Airport Customer Reviews – SKYTRAX before locking in your itinerary.
If you’re torn between the two Rio terminals, this candid breakdown of GIG versus SDU dives deep into transport times, lounge options, and late-night vibes.
Brasília (BSB): Clean and bright
I had a smooth morning flight here. Security moved fast. I kept my laptop in my bag, and they were okay with it. Another time, they asked me to pull it out. So it varies. The food court had good rice and beans. Simple comfort food. Clear signs in Portuguese and English helped me find my gate without a fuss.
Belo Horizonte (CNF): Good airport, long ride
CNF looks nice, but it’s far. My Uber to Savassi took almost an hour in afternoon traffic. Inside, it’s airy and calm. I found decent espresso and fresh pão de queijo. Worth it, honestly.
Northeast Hits: Music, drums, and warm smiles
Planning to hop between multiple urban gems on one trip? This travelogue of Brazil’s best cities pairs perfectly with the airport intel below.
Salvador (SSA)
I walked off the plane and heard live drums once. It felt like a party. Check-in for GOL was packed, but staff kept lines moving. I bought an açaí bowl that tasted like summer.
Recife (REC)
Bright space, lots of families, and friendly staff. I’ve had smooth boarding here. The line for taxis was short, and the driver taught me a new forró step. I still mess it up.
Fortaleza (FOR)
Sun, wind, and quick security. Wi-Fi worked better than I expected. I grabbed a tapioca crepe and watched planes taxi by. Peaceful hour, actually.
The South: Clean design and steady vibes
Florianópolis (FLN)
This is my favorite new-ish terminal. High ceilings, open light, plants, and clear signs. I took my kid through here. The family restroom was spotless. We split a plate of grilled fish and rice. Airport food that didn’t feel like airport food.
Curitiba (CWB) and Porto Alegre (POA)
Both felt tidy and calm. Security was polite. Lines moved. I found real espresso and a quiet corner to charge my phone. That’s all I ask sometimes.
Manaus (MAO): Jungle air and a slow bag belt
The air felt heavy and sweet when I walked out. I liked it. Bags took a while—around 30 minutes for me. Rides were easy to find. I snagged a cold guaraná soda and watched the rain wash the runway. Loud, big drops. Kind of soothing, to be honest.
Things That Worked Well For Me
- Ride-app signs are clear in most places. Follow “Aplicativos” and meet the car at the curb.
- Portuguese helps, but simple English worked for me across all airports.
- Pão de queijo is the safest, happiest snack. Pairs well with any delay.
- Early flights go smoother. My 6 a.m. flights beat the lines, most days.
- Bring a small power bank. Outlets exist, but they’re not always near seats.
Stuff That Bugged Me
- GRU immigration can feel long at night. I’ve stood there dreaming of a pillow.
- CGH gets crowded and loud at peak times. Lines coil like snakes.
- GIG late at night feels too quiet, and baggage can be slow.
- Taxi touts at GRU still try. Just keep walking to the ride-app zone.
- Wi-Fi asks for a sign-in again and again. Not a deal breaker, but a sigh.
Little Cultural Notes I Loved
- Staff saying “Bom dia” with a real smile.
- The smell of fresh coffee everywhere, even near gates.
- Music in Salvador and Recife. It puts you in a good mood.
- Families travel together here. Gates feel like living rooms sometimes.
Final Take: Would I Fly Through Again?
Yes. I do, often. Brazil’s airports are like the country: big-hearted, a bit chaotic, and full of flavor. If you want quick and central in Rio, pick SDU. For long-haul in São Paulo, GRU gets you far, even if you yawn in line. Need calm? VCP is steady, if you don’t mind the drive. And if you land in FLN, just breathe. It feels like a vacation already.
One last thing: bring patience, a charger, and a taste for cheese bread. Trust me—I’ve learned the tasty way.
If a long layover leaves you craving company more than another cup of airport espresso, take a peek at PlanCul.app—the location-based platform lets travelers connect with like-minded locals or fellow flyers for spontaneous meet-ups, turning idle terminal hours into fun, off-airport memories.
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