Quick answer. At São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU), use a major Brazilian bank ATM (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, or Santander Brasil) or a red Banco24Horas machine inside the terminal, and withdraw a sensible amount rather than the maximum; foreign-card daily caps often sit around R$1,000. Two Brazil facts to know: an IOF tax applies to foreign-card transactions (a few percent), and Brazil has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card pays its own 3% fee on top. A no-FX-fee card (Wise, Schwab) is cleaner, and always decline DCC and choose Brazilian reais (BRL). To São Paulo (about 25 km): the CPTM Line 13-Jade train (via a free shuttle to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station) connects toward the centre, or take the Airport Bus Service to Paulista, Tietê, or Congonhas; taxis and Uber also run, traffic permitting.
Where to get Brazilian Real at GRU
The key Guarulhos fact is that a bank ATM (or a red Banco24Horas) inside the terminal beats the exchange counters, that you should withdraw a sensible amount given the ~R$1,000 foreign-card caps, and that the IOF tax and the lack of a BoA partner both add to the cost. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banco do Brasil / Bradesco / Banco24Horas (GRU) | Inside the terminals | Interbank rate; IOF tax applies | ~$100 + IOF + home-bank fee |
| Contactless card for most spending | Train, buses, shops, restaurants | Interbank rate on a no-FX-fee card; IOF applies | ~$96-98 |
| Airport exchange counter (GRU) | Arrivals | A high spread plus fees | ~$85-92 |
| Accepting DCC at any machine | Anywhere | +5-12% if you choose 'charge in USD' | ~$85-93 |
| Withdrawing the maximum at a street ATM at night | Outside, after hours | Security risk, not a rate issue | Avoid; use the terminal |
Where to find the bank ATMs across the São Paulo-Guarulhos terminals (GRU)
São Paulo/Guarulhos International (GRU), about 25 km northeast of central São Paulo, is the busiest airport in Brazil and South America, with three terminals (Terminal 3 handles most international long-haul). For getting reais, the airport is actually one of the safer places to use an ATM, so it is worth pulling a sensible cash float here. Use a major Brazilian bank ATM (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, or Santander Brasil) or a red Banco24Horas machine inside the terminal, choose a moderate amount rather than the maximum (foreign-card daily caps often sit around R$1,000), and decline dynamic currency conversion. Two things shape the cost in Brazil: the IOF tax applies to foreign-card withdrawals and purchases (a few percent, levied by the government), and Brazil has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card pays its standard 3% non-network fee on top. A no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab is the cleaner tool. Whatever you use, choose Brazilian reais, not your home currency.
Terminal 3 (international)
Most international long-haul carriers, including LATAM, United, American, Delta, TAP, Lufthansa, Air France, and Emirates. Terminal 3 is the newer international terminal at GRU
In Terminal 3 arrivals, use a Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, or Santander Brasil ATM, or a red Banco24Horas machine, all inside the secure terminal area. Withdraw a moderate amount (foreign-card caps are often ~R$1,000), decline DCC, choose reais, then head to the free shuttle for the CPTM train or to the Airport Bus Service desk.
Terminals 1 and 2 (regional and some international)
LATAM and GOL domestic and regional flights, plus some international services. Terminals 1 and 2 handle a large share of the domestic traffic that feeds GRU's international connections
In the T1 and T2 arrivals areas, the same major Brazilian bank ATMs and Banco24Horas machines are available inside the terminal. Withdraw a sensible amount, decline DCC, and choose reais before connecting to the train, bus, or a ride into the city.
Do you actually need cash at São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU)?
Partly. The train, the airport buses, and Uber take cards, and São Paulo is card-friendly, but cash is handy for small vendors and safety buffers. Here is what works, and where reais still help:
CPTM Line 13-Jade train (via free shuttle) (~R$5-7 one way): A free shuttle links the terminals to Aeroporto-Guarulhos station; the train runs toward Engenheiro Goulart and the metro/rail network. Pay with a Bilhete Único or contactless card.
Airport Bus Service (to Paulista / Tietê / Congonhas) (~R$28-55 one way): Comfortable coaches to the main São Paulo districts and the other airports. Pay by card at the desk or on board.
Uber / 99 (~R$90-150 to Paulista): Uber and the local 99 app both operate; pay in-app by card. Traffic can make the 25 km trip long and the fare variable.
Taxi (~R$120-170 to the centre): Official airport taxis from the rank; agree the fare or use the fixed-price desk. Many accept cards, but carry some reais as backup.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU) to São Paulo?
No. CPTM Line 13-Jade train (via free shuttle) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order Brazilian Real before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Brazilian Real to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 Brazilian Real for taxis and tips on day one.
Which ATM at Guarulhos is best, and how much should I withdraw?
Use a major Brazilian bank ATM (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, or Santander Brasil) or a red Banco24Horas machine inside the terminal, all of which accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw a moderate amount rather than the maximum: foreign-card daily caps in Brazil often sit around R$1,000, and it is wise not to carry too much cash anyway. The airport is one of the safer places to use an ATM, so a sensible float here saves you hunting for a secure machine later. Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose Brazilian reais. Note the IOF tax applies to the transaction regardless of which machine you use.
What is the IOF tax and how does it affect my card in Brazil?
IOF (Imposto sobre Operações Financeiras) is a Brazilian federal tax applied to foreign-card transactions, both ATM withdrawals and card purchases, at a rate of a few percent. It is charged automatically and is unavoidable on a foreign card, so it is simply part of the cost of spending in Brazil. It does not change the which-machine advice (a bank ATM still beats an exchange counter), but it is why even a no-fee card has a small built-in cost here. Budget for it, decline DCC on top of it, and choose reais.
Is there a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Brazil?
No. None of the Brazilian banks (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Itaú, Santander Brasil, Caixa) belong to the Bank of America Global ATM Alliance, so a BoA debit card pays BoA's standard 3% non-network fee at any Brazilian ATM, on top of the IOF tax. There is no fee-free option for BoA cards in Brazil. A no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab is the cleaner setup; Schwab also refunds ATM operator fees worldwide, though the IOF tax still applies.
How do I get from Guarulhos to São Paulo, and is it different from Rio?
Guarulhos connects to São Paulo by the CPTM Line 13-Jade train: a free shuttle links the terminals to the Aeroporto-Guarulhos station, from where the train runs to Engenheiro Goulart and the wider metro/rail network toward the centre (about 25 km). The Airport Bus Service runs comfortable coaches to Paulista, Tietê, and Congonhas. Taxis and Uber also run, but São Paulo traffic can make the trip long and pricey. This is a different setup from Rio's GIG, which leans on the premium airport bus and taxis; for Rio see our Rio de Janeiro guides.
Can I order Brazilian reais before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Brazilian reais to your US address in 2–5 days at a rate below the airport counters, useful for landing with a small float so you are not dependent on the first machine. Your home bank can also order reais. That said, Brazil is fairly card-friendly in the big cities, so the cleanest setup is a no-FX-fee card (Wise or Schwab) for most spending, plus a modest reais float pulled from a bank ATM at the airport, remembering the IOF tax applies either way.