7 hours in São Paulo

I have a 7 hour stopover in São Paulo during the World Cup next month and would really like to leave the airport and explore the city as it will be my only chance during my trip.

Is there anything people recommend doing in this timeframe that is within a reasonable distance from GRU airport? Thanks.

It rather depends when you arrive and depart and also whether your departure flight is domestic or international. Peak hour traffic can be horrendous and it's not that much fun at the best of times. Whilst a trip into the centre of town can take as little as 40 minutes, it could take you a couple of hours.

If your departure is a domestic flight then you need to shave off an hour to check in, international at least two, so in reality you have five or six hours not counting any luggage pick up from your arrival, unless it is already checked through.

It will be a fairly hurried trip, wherever you go and there's really nothing in the vicinity of the airport itself worth visiting.

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Thanks to both of you for the advice.

@corisco I will be arriving in São Paulo at 7:00 in the morning and I actually have a 9 hour stopover before I fly to Florianopolis (so that's why my title was 7 hours to allow for check-in). And I will only have carry-on luggage with me. Is there anything in the city centre of SP that you recommend is a must-see? I really know nothing about the city.

I'd head straight to Museu Afro Brasil, even for those not particularly into art it's a vibrant place to visit and is in the middle of a beautifully landscaped park.

Wherever you decide, avoid travelling by road because of the traffic mentioned. Sao Paulo is a massive sprawling city which dawns on you as you descend into it via plane. Their train links are as good as any I've seen in Europe so I'd make the most of them.
It's not my favourite city but you'll have a good time whatever you chose I'm sure.

The last time I arrived at Guarulhos at that time in the morning it took me the best part of two hours to get to my hotel in Jardins. There is no avoiding road transport to get into town, unless of course you have sufficient funds for a helicopter.

If football is your focus then you might consider making a pilgrimage to the Museu do Futebol in Pacaembu stadium. . Otherwise head to Av. Paulista, wander along it, look at MASP and maybe take the air in the Trianon park across the road. Or you could go and do lunch at the Municpal Market.

You should probably get yourself a guide book and see what appeals to you. There's something for every taste in São Paulo.

I agree with what corsico says. Remember that both airports have no rail links. Also Parque Ibirapuera (Museo Afro Brasil) also has no rail links. The MASP ( international art) and Trianon are both worthwhile and on the Metro. Another collection of museums is at station LUZ. In the rail station itself is the fine Museum of th Portugese Language and across the streeis, my favourite, the Pinacoteca (domestic art) and the art installations in Parque Luz. Just up the road is another museum where the former DOPS headquarters was located (secret police). This is the 50th anniversary of the coupe d'etat. There is also art exhibited. A word of caution though because this area backs up onto "cracolandia" but I have never felt threatened. For lunch go to the Mercado Municipal. In between these two areas is the Vale de Cha. There you will find the Teatro Municipal (close by is what I call the torre do rock. Eight stories of clothing, music stores, and tattoo palaces, just ask for direcctions.) and the Museo do Correos. Walking through the centro keep an eye open for the different Casa da Cultura (e.g. Banco do Brasil) because the also have art shows. This will allow you to use the Sao Bento or Se (the Cathederal of Sao Paulo is here) station to start your return to the airport.

Thanks to everyone for their tips and advice. I think I definitely want to check out Av. Paulista and maybe watch a match at the FIFA Fan Fest site. Is it possible to get a bus from GRU airport to the closest metro stop and then travel to downtown SP that way? Would this save me time and what stops would I need to take? Thanks again.

Directly outside terminal 2 you will find a ticket office for the bus to Tiete, the rodoviaria and adjacent metro station.

Directly outside terminal 2 you will find a ticket office for the bus to Tiete, the rodoviaria and adjacent metro station.

Thanks to everyone for their excellent information.

@skipperjamie, I'm confused by your last post; is Tiete near downtown SP and where/what is Rodoviaria?!

No, it's not but there's a metro stop there, so you can take the metro from Tietê. Rodoviária is simply the word for bus station. Personally I'd just take a taxi to where I wanted to go.

Thanks corisco. What colour line is Tietê metro station on? I can't find it on the SP metro map...

Linha Azul, the blue line. The station is Portuguesa-Tietê . If you want to go to Luz, that will take you there. MASP, take it as far as Paraiso and transfer to Linha Verde and get off at Trianon- MASP.

Thanks corisco. It all makes sense to me now. I think I will get a bus to Tietê in the morning and a taxi on the way back to GRU later that afternoon just to be safe! It's so great to know there are so many helpful and welcoming Brazilians even before I arrive in the country! Have a great Copa.