Flight Arrivals – Guarulhos Airport (GRU)
Welcome to São Paulo. Checking arrivals at Cumbica in real-time is just the first step; navigating the disembarkation, immigration, and transport process requires knowing the critical points to avoid unnecessary waits and common scams at the terminal exits.
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Useful Tips Upon Arrival at Guarulhos Airport
- How long does baggage claim take?
On international flights, the wait can be between 90 and 120 minutes. Users report that screens sometimes display the wrong carousel number. - How is the immigration control?
Depending on the time, lines can be chaotic. Prolonged waits have been reported due to mixed lines between Brazilians and foreigners during peak hours. - Bringing electronics or foreign purchases?
If you are a Brazilian resident, remember to complete the e-DBV (Electronic Declaration of Traveler’s Goods) if you bring products above the tax-free limit. - Where is it safe to take transport?
Use only official counters (such as Guarucoop) or well-known apps. Ignore anyone offering informal transport inside the terminal.
Real-Time Arrival Tracking
Check arrival times live. We recommend also verifying on the physical panels upon leaving the plane.
Source: Avionio. Aeroportogru.com is not responsible for possible errors or omissions.
Critical Points: Smart Traveler’s Manual
The Baggage Carousel Trap
It is common for the carousel number assigned on the screen not to match where the bags actually come out. Also, if you travel with large backpacks or special luggage, these often appear on a different belt.
Strategy: If your bag doesn’t appear after 40 minutes, ask at your airline’s counter inside the baggage area and check adjacent belts.
App Zone Chaos (Uber/99)
The app pickup zone at Terminal 2 is often under construction or poorly marked, leading to driver cancellations.
Strategy: Go to the exact point marked by the app (usually on the departures level, not arrivals) and maintain active communication with the driver.
Lost and Found (Achados e Perdidos)
If you forget something on the plane, management is slow. The airport’s lost and found service is now handled primarily by email.
Strategy: Check your seat and overhead bin three times before disembarking. If you lose something, email the airport administration immediately, but be prepared for a wait of up to 10 days for a response.
Need to Rest Near the Airport?
If your flight arrived during the early morning or you have a layover of more than 6 hours, going into the city is risky due to traffic. Hotels inside the terminal are the most valued option for international layovers.
Common Alerts Based on Traveler Experiences
- ⚠️ Long walks: In Terminal 3, the journey from the gate to immigration can take 15 minutes on foot. Wear comfortable shoes.
- ↔️ T2-T3 Connections: If your next flight departs from another terminal, the free bus can take up to 40 minutes to arrive and is usually very full.
- 🌍 Language barrier: Do not assume customs staff speak English. Have an offline translation app ready to speed up any goods inspection (e-DBV).
🗣️ User Experience: Many passengers report that upon leaving the secure area, the presence of people asking for money or informal drivers can be overwhelming.
Strategy: Walk firmly towards your transport and do not stop to talk to people who do not have official airport identification.
📌 More questions? Check our FAQs section.