Salgado Filho International Airport

Salgado Filho International Airport is about 9 km from downtown Porto Alegre, in the Anchieta district on the north side of the city. The drive usually takes 15 to 20 minutes outside rush hour, and longer at weekday peak times when traffic builds toward downtown. Taxis and ride apps cover the trip around the clock.

Yes. Floods closed Salgado Filho airport on May 3, 2024, and flights moved temporarily to Canoas Air Force Base. Domestic flights returned to the airport on October 21, 2024, on a shortened runway, and full operations on the 3,200 m runway resumed on December 16, 2024. International flights, including Copa Airlines to Panama, followed that same month.

Porto Alegre airport has one passenger terminal, Terminal 1, which handles all domestic and international flights. Check-in, baggage claim, arrivals and departure gates are in the same building. The former Terminal 2 stopped handling flights in 2019 and now serves as Fraport Brasil's administration building, so you do not need to transfer between terminals.

Azul, GOL and LATAM Airlines run most flights, connecting Porto Alegre with São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Curitiba, Florianópolis and other Brazilian cities. International service includes Aerolíneas Argentinas to Buenos Aires, LATAM to Santiago and Lima, Copa Airlines to Panama City and TAP Air Portugal to Lisbon. All of these airlines use Terminal 1.

Yes. Taxis from the Cootaero cooperative wait at the official stand just outside the arrivals area in Terminal 1. They run 24 hours a day and accept credit cards. Use only this stand, a ride app or a driver you booked in advance, and decline offers from people approaching you inside the terminal.

Not easily at the moment. The Aeromóvel people mover that connected Terminal 1 with Trensurb's Aeroporto train station has been out of service since the May 2024 floods damaged its equipment. Reconstruction work started in September 2026 and is expected to take about 12 months, so plan on a taxi, ride app or bus for now.

Yes. Uber and the Brazilian app 99 both operate at Salgado Filho airport, with pickups outside the arrivals area of Terminal 1. Average Uber trips between the airport and the city take about 17 minutes over roughly 9 km. Surge pricing can apply when many flights land at once or during heavy rain.

It depends on your passport. US, Canadian and Australian citizens have needed a Brazil e-visa again since April 10, 2025, and airlines check for it before boarding. Many European and South American travelers can enter visa-free for tourism. Check the rules for your nationality with Brazil's consular services before you travel.

Gramado is in the Serra Gaúcha hills, roughly two hours by car from Salgado Filho airport via BR-116, depending on route and traffic. Citral runs intercity buses from the airport to Gramado and Canela that take about 2.5 hours. A private transfer or rental car gives more flexibility, especially for evening arrivals.

Yes. Bento Gonçalves and the Vale dos Vinhedos wine region lie in the Serra Gaúcha north of Porto Alegre and are reached by road from the airport. Most visitors use a rental car, private transfer or intercity bus. Caxias do Sul, the largest city in the Serra Gaúcha, is also reached by road from the airport.

Porto Alegre uses Brasília time, UTC-3, with no daylight saving time. Unlike tropical Brazil, the city has four seasons: summers from December to March are hot and humid, while winters from June to August are cool and damp. Brazil's currency is the real (BRL), and cards are widely accepted.

Fraport Brasil, part of Germany's Fraport group, has operated Salgado Filho airport since January 2018, taking over from Infraero. The airport handled about 7.5 million passengers in 2025, close to its level before the 2024 floods, when traffic dropped to about 3.9 million because of the five-month closure.

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.