Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport

IATA code: CGH

ICAO code: SBSP

Number of passengers: ~ 7 million 

São Paulo Congonhas – Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport is one of the airports serving São Paulo in Brazil. It is also the second busiest airport in Brazil. It lies in the historic Vila Congonhas neighbourhood, 13 kilometres from the center of the city. 

CGH has a single passenger terminal and the boarding area is split into two wings: North Wing and South Wing. Furthermore, it is the main domestic hub in Brazil, and flights that operate at CGH are from and to domestic destinations. 

The airport reached its peak in passenger traffic in 2019, when it served over 22 million people. Because of COVID-19, the airport saw a 31% drop in passenger numbers with roughly 7 million passengers in 2021. 

If visiting São Paulo, the following guide will present you with all the necessary information about CGH. 

Getting from Congonhas Airport to São Paulo 

The distance between Congonhas Airport is approximately 13 kilometres, which is roughly 30 minutes by personal car or 45 minutes by public transport. 

Learn more about getting from the airport to the city centre in the text below. 

Bus

Travellers can reach the centre of São Paulo by taking a public bus or a shuttle bus. 

The company in charge of public transport is SPTrans. Visitors can choose between the following lines depending on their destination: 

• 175T-10
• 5185-10
• 5630-10

Also, GOL and LATAM provide free shuttle bus lines from Congonhas Airport to Guarulhos Airport and back. The earliest bus from Congonhas Airport to Guarulhos Airport departs at 5 a.m. with a departure scheduled every hour until 11 p.m. 

However, it appears that the service operated by GOL is temporarily suspended, but this shouldn’t last for too long. 

Metro 

Those who prefer a different type of public transport can use the city’s metro system. The closest is Sao Judas station, where Line 1 – Blue operates. To get there, passengers have to board a bus from the airport to Metro Sao Judas. The average price is approximately 4 R$. However, the metro does not operate the entire night. The stations usually have the last departures or close around midnight, depending on the line. 

Taxi 

Passengers who prefer to travel by taxi when leaving the airport can find the taxis in the Arrivals area, on the ground floor. Furthermore, two taxi companies offer their services at the airport: Radio Taxi and Taxi Commum. The average taximeter fixed fee ranges from 35 to 40 R$. 

Also, those who prefer rideshare services will be happy to know that Uber also offers its service at São Paulo Congonhas Airport. 

Car hire 

Car rental is the best option for those who prefer travelling without having to depend on the local public transport services. At CGH you will find major car rental companies like Alarmo, Localiza, Hertz, Foco and Unidas. Additionally, you can rent a car online in advance to avoid potential queues at the airport. 

Transfer

Those who prefer private, hassle-free travel from Congonhas Airport to their accommodation can also book a private, door-to-door transfer. Your professional driver will wait for you at the airport to take you directly to your desired destination. 

Rent a bus 

Larger groups of passengers should consider renting a bus at the airport. However, it is recommended to book it online in advance so the bus rental companies have enough time to advise you on the meeting point and other necessary information.

Sao Paulo Congonhas Airlines

Arrivals and departures from CGH  are domestic flights. Some of the frequent and popular routes from Sao Paulo Congonhas are to Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Barsilia and Porto Alegre. LATAM, Aerolineas Argentinas and Gol are some of the major carriers. 

Below is the list of airlines that operate at CGH: 

• LATAM airlines
• Aerolineas Argentinas
• Gol 
• Copa Airliens 
• Avianca
• Webjet
• Pantanal
• TAP Portugal
• Azul
• NHT

Congonhas Airport facilities

Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport offers several services and facilities to passengers that are on a layover or simply waiting for their flights. 

Here is a list of services that Congonhas Airport offers: 

• Banks 
• Currency exchange 
• Cafes
•  Restaurant
• VIP lounges
• Post office 
• Telephone booths 
• Bookshop 
• Drugstore 
• Giftshop 

Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport accommodation 

You will find multiple hotels nearby the airport. However, if having enough time, you can also find accommodation in Sao Paulo, since it is only about 30 minutes away.

Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport FAQs