GRU Airport Code: Brazil, City, IATA, ICAO, Location, Map and Time Now
GRU is the airport code travelers see on tickets, bags and flight searches for São Paulo’s main international airport. This guide explains the country, city, airport name, ICAO code, code meaning, terminal layout, map links, São Paulo time, and transport choices.
What is the GRU airport code?
GRU is the IATA airport code for São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, also called Aeroporto Internacional de São Paulo/Guarulhos and Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport.
The passenger code is GRU. The aviation code is SBGR. Most travelers only need GRU for tickets, flight searches and baggage tags.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
Use for booking, baggage tags and public flight searches.
Used in aviation, airport operations and flight planning.
GRU is in Brazil, country code BR.
Main international gateway for the São Paulo region.
The airport sits in Guarulhos, not central São Paulo.
GRU airport code country, city, location and name
GRU airport code country
Brazil. GRU is the main international airport for São Paulo and one of Brazil’s busiest air gateways.
GRU airport code city
São Paulo. The airport serves the São Paulo metropolitan region and appears in airline searches for São Paulo.
GRU airport code location
Guarulhos. The airport is northeast of São Paulo city, so transport time matters for hotels, meetings and onward buses.
GRU vs other São Paulo airport codes
GRU airport code time now: São Paulo airport local time
Current São Paulo time
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GRU uses Brasília Time, commonly shown as BRT. The IANA time zone is America/Sao_Paulo.
Time offset
São Paulo is normally UTC−3. Brazil does not currently observe daylight saving time, so there is usually no seasonal clock change for GRU flight planning.
GRU terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
GRU Airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal numbers also help with gate numbering: gate 101 is in Terminal 1, gate 207 is in Terminal 2, and gate 305 is in Terminal 3.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the smallest passenger terminal area and is linked to the CPTM airport station and terminal shuttle routes.
Action: Check whether your airline actually uses T1 before selecting parking or pickup.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is a major passenger area with domestic and international operations depending on airline and route.
Action: Use the airline directory and official flight status to confirm counter and gate area.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is a key international terminal area, used by many long-haul and international airlines.
Action: Build extra time if changing from T3 to another terminal after arrival.
GRU traveler tools
These planning tools do not use live airport data. They help you choose a safer buffer before checking official GRU flight, train, traffic and transport updates.
Departure arrival-time calculator
Estimate how early to reach your GRU terminal entrance.
Connection risk checker
Estimate whether your GRU connection needs a larger buffer.
GRU airport transport: taxi, train, bus, transfer and pickup
GRU airport code map and official terminal maps
For a quick location check, GRU is northeast of central São Paulo in Guarulhos. For gate-level navigation, use the airport’s official terminal maps because terminal services, shops, gates and counters can change.
Common GRU airport code mistakes to avoid
Confusing GRU with all São Paulo airports
GRU is one airport. SAO is a city-market search code that may include GRU, CGH and sometimes VCP depending on the booking tool.
Takeaway: Use GRU when your ticket says Guarulhos; use SAO only for broad flight shopping.
Assuming GRU is in central São Paulo
GRU serves São Paulo but sits in Guarulhos. Traffic can turn a short-looking map distance into a much longer transfer.
Takeaway: Build a real ground-transport buffer, especially during weekday peak traffic.
Mixing up GRU and SBGR
GRU is the passenger-facing IATA code. SBGR is the ICAO airport code used in aviation data, NOTAM-style references and flight operations.
Takeaway: Search GRU for tickets; search SBGR for aviation data.
Booking a tight GRU to CGH self-transfer
Changing between Guarulhos and Congonhas is an airport transfer across São Paulo, not a normal same-terminal connection.
Takeaway: Add a large buffer or book a protected itinerary.
- Check the full terminal before arranging pickup.
- Use official flight status before leaving your hotel.
- Do not assume train access is door-to-door; terminal shuttles may be involved.
- Keep passport, visa and onward-ticket details ready for international travel.