Translate
Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport
São Paulo, Brazil
Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport
São Paulo's busy downtown airport serving domestic routes.
- ›Congonhas is consistently one of the top three busiest airports in Brazil by passenger volume.
- ›The São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro air bridge operated from Congonhas is among the world's highest-frequency short-haul routes.
- ›A 2007 TAM Airlines crash at the airport killed 199 people, prompting major safety and infrastructure reforms.
- ›The airport operates under strict slot and noise restrictions due to its dense urban surroundings.
- ›It is named in honor of Deputado Freitas Nobre, a Brazilian politician.
Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, serving São Paulo since 1936, is one of Brazil's busiest domestic airports and a vital hub for short-haul regional flights. Nestled within the city's southern zone, it sits remarkably close to the financial and commercial heart of São Paulo, making it the preferred choice for business travellers. Despite its compact size, Congonhas handles millions of passengers annually, operating primarily as a domestic airport dominated by the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro air bridge.
- Terminal 1 — The main passenger terminal handling the majority of domestic flights, with check-in halls, boarding gates, and commercial facilities.
- Terminal 2 — A secondary terminal connected to Terminal 1, serving additional domestic carriers and offering supplementary lounges and retail options.
- Taxi — regulated metered taxis available at designated ranks outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing apps — Uber and 99 operate freely from the airport curbside
- SPTrans city buses — public bus lines connect the airport to nearby neighborhoods
- Metrô — Santo André line and nearby Washington Luís Avenue provide metro access within walking distance or short taxi hop
- Car rental — multiple agencies including Localiza, Movida, and Unidas operate on-site
- Hotel Transamérica Congonhas
- Comfort Inn Congonhas
- Novotel São Paulo Morumbi
- Holiday Inn São Paulo Ibirapuera
- Ibis São Paulo Congonhas
Inside the terminals, travellers will find a mix of Brazilian fast-food staples, coffee shops, and snack bars from brands such as Bob's, Spoleto, and Starbucks. The airport's food court offers quick bites suited to the fast-paced domestic travel crowd, though options are more limited than at Guarulhos. Just outside the airport perimeter on Washington Luís Avenue, a wide variety of restaurants, padarias, and lunch spots cater to all budgets.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure — despite being compact, security queues can move slowly during peak hours.
- The São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro air bridge operates with simplified boarding procedures; confirm your specific carrier's check-in requirements in advance.
- Congonhas handles domestic flights only — international travellers must use Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) instead.
- Traffic on Washington Luís Avenue can be severe during morning and evening rush hours; plan extra travel time if departing between 07:00–09:30 or 17:00–20:00.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (26 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via CGH? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Brazil from official government sources.
