São Paulo

Book your plane ticket from Lyon to São Paulo and discover the most populous and dynamic city in Brazil. Throughout the year, flights with stopovers to São Paulo are offered regularly from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport by several airlines. Expect on average 14 hours of flight with a stopover before you plunge into the fervour of this cosmopolitan city.

To go to São Paulo, a biometric passport is sufficient and allows you to stay 3 months. It must be valid 6 months past your date of entry or departure from the territory. You also need your return ticket.

If you are French, Belgian or Swiss, the tourist visa is automatically obtained when you enter the territory (for a maximum of 90 days). On the other hand, it is mandatory for Canadians.

As for the immigration card, it must be filled in the plane or at a customs house. Handed out upon your arrival at the airport, it indicates the length of your stay and will be asked for upon departure.

Services at São Paulo Airport

• Services on Arrival

In Brazil, the real (or reais, the plural form) is used to pay. By going to terminals 2 and 3, 6 foreign exchange offices allow you to exchange your currency (some open 24 hours a day). In Terminal 2 you will find ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines), for any withdrawals by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.).

For your car rental needs, head to terminal 1 or 2. 8 carriers are present at the São Paulo airport: Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, National, Budget, Alamo and Europcar.

• Services on Departure

Many restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food restaurants are located in terminals 1, 2 and 3 for your dining needs (24 hours a day for some).

Mostly located in terminals 2 and 3, a wide range of shops is available for your last-minute shopping (fashion, book shop, souvenir shops, duty-free, etc.).

You will find several left-luggage offices for your luggage, as well as a lost and found service, open 24 hours a day in terminal 3.

Transfer from airport to Shanghai

By public transit, the easiest way to reach downtown São Paulo from the airport is to take either the Airport Bus Service (50 minutes away) or the Shuttle (minibuses at terminals 1 and 2). Departure is every 30 minutes in both cases.

• The nearest metro station to the city centre is “Tietê” (located on line 1). To get there, you will have to take a bus (30 minutes journey).
• You will find the Taxi station in front of the arrivals terminal. São Paulo city centre is a 30 to 60-minute journey away.