Flying Via Sao Paolo

[ghost]

You do not need transit visa in Brazil. So don't worry. Also, just a FYI, there is no city named "Sao Paolo".

For the benifit of spelling Nazis and assholes he also identified it as {GRU}

 

[sesamosinsal]

I have been through GRU 2 times in the past 3 months with connections. London>GRU>AEP (BA then TAM), AEP>GRU>Frankfurt (Aerolineas then TAM). BOTH times I was told quite implicitly that I would have to get off in GRU go through customs and get my bag, which ended up happening both times. Lucky I have a UK passport so I simply got a stamp, however it is a major pain in the ass. Both my tickets were on the same booking, however apparently the airlines are not capable of working together like every other airport. I would assume you have to pick up your bag in GRU, then confirm at the airport in buenos aires. I am now refusing to fly via Brasil to Argentina because it's become such a pain in the ass.

If you are buying separate tickets, this will happen.

However, if you buy one ticket through a travel agency/website--as I always do--your baggage is checked to your destination. In December, I flew United from my hometown airport to Chicago, and then Chicago to Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires.

The only bad thing that happened was they lost my luggage, which I happened to resolve with TAM through Twitter, of all things.

 

[AmigoArtistico]

...BOTH times I was told quite implicitly...

Good one!

(I guess I'm a spelling Nazi or an asshole.)

 

[camberiu]

For the benifit of spelling Nazis and assholes he also identified it as {GRU}

GRU = City of Guarulhos

 

[sleslie23]

GRU = City of Guarulhos

http://www.world-air...paulo-6691.html

 

[ajoknoblauch]

I think generally you just hang out in the international portion of the airport. In other words, you never actually enter Brazil... you don't go through customs, etc. You just go from one gate to the other (and maybe do some shopping in the duty free zone).

This would not be the case for foreigners (except for Canadians) passing through the US, where you would need a visa simply to change planes. That's one reason many travelers avoid the States now, unless there's no alternative.

 

[Lulu-Kyoko]

This would not be the case for foreigners (except for Canadians) passing through the US, where you would need a visa simply to change planes. That's one reason many travelers avoid the States now, unless there's no alternative.

But the OP is not going through the US. He's going to Greece/Istanbul via Sao Paolo, non?

Although point taken. I should mention however that even Canadians (such as myself) try to avoid the US when flying. I would rather pay more, spend more time on the plane, zig zag across the world, whatever it takes... 'tho I'm okay with visiting the States by car, by bus or by train.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

But the OP is not going through the US. He's going to Greece/Istanbul via Sao Paolo, non?

Although point taken. I should mention however that even Canadians (such as myself) try to avoid the US when flying. I would rather pay more, spend more time on the plane, zig zag across the world, whatever it takes... 'tho I'm okay with visiting the States by car, by bus or by train.

It was just a peripheral comment on my part, but the whole process of obtaining a US visa is embarrassingly demeaning.

 

[Somewhereinba]

You will probably be OK since both TAM and Turkish airways are in Star Alliance. Both the cases where they wouldn't check my bag all the way through were different airlines/alliances. BA/TAM and Aerolineas/TAM.

 

[syngirl]

In transit Passengers never require visas. Now if you need to change airports is a different issue.

Not true, in the USA everyone who sets foot in the airport even just for a transfer needs a visa. Don't be surprised i fother countries start to follow suit.