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Airport Transportation

Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport

Also known as: Recife Airport, Guararapes Airport, Recife International Airport, Gilberto Freyre Airport, REC Airport. Formerly Ibura Airport.

REC · SBRF · Recife

Airport facts

Name
Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport
IATA code
REC
ICAO code
SBRF
City
Recife
Country
Brazil
Coordinates
-8.1275, -34.9230
Time zone
America/Recife
Terminals
One terminal with domestic and international areas

About Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport

Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) serves Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state in northeastern Brazil. It is commonly called Guararapes Airport or simply Recife Airport.

Azul uses Recife as its main connecting hub in the Northeast, with flights across Brazil and to Porto and Montevideo. GOL and LATAM Airlines connect Recife with São Paulo, Brasília, Fortaleza and other cities, and with Buenos Aires and Santiago. TAP Air Portugal flies to Lisbon, Iberia to Madrid and JetSMART to Buenos Aires.

The airport has one passenger terminal, opened in 2004, that handles both domestic and international flights.

Guararapes sits in the south of Recife, about 14 km from downtown and a short drive from Boa Viagem beach. The Aeroporto station of the Recife Metro's South Line is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway.

From the airport, travelers head to Boa Viagem, central Recife and Olinda, or south along the coast to Porto de Galinhas, Carneiros and Maragogi. Recife is also a departure point for flights to Fernando de Noronha.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Aena, under a 30-year concession since 2020

Passengers per year

About 9.9 million in 2025

Runway

One runway, 3,300 m long

Main airline

Azul, which runs its Northeast hub here

Location

South Recife, about 14 km from downtown

Arrival tips for Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport

On an international flight, you clear Brazilian immigration and customs inside the single terminal; citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia have needed an e-visa since April 10, 2025, so check your status before you fly.

Baggage claim is on the ground floor, and domestic and international passengers exit into the arrivals area of the same building, so finding your way is simple.

Taxis wait at the north and south arrivals areas. Special taxis, marked with a red stripe, charge fixed fares by destination and have counters near baggage claim; regular taxis use the meter. Pre-booked drivers usually wait in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Uber and 99 pick up on the first floor at the departures doors (B), and the metro is reached through a walkway from gate B6 on the first floor. Decline rides from unlicensed drivers outside the terminal.

Recife is on UTC−3 all year with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL), and the weather is warm and humid year-round.

Ground transportation

A taxi or pre-booked transfer suits most travelers with luggage, while the metro is an option for light travelers heading to central Recife.

  • Taxi from Recife airport

    Special taxis with fixed fares by destination and regular metered taxis wait at the arrivals areas and run 24 hours. Boa Viagem is about five minutes by car outside heavy traffic.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall, which is useful for longer trips such as Porto de Galinhas or Olinda. It needs booking in advance.

  • Rideshare

    Uber and 99 operate at the airport, with pickup on the first floor at the departures doors (B). Signs mark the app pickup points.

  • Metro to central Recife

    The Aeroporto station of the South Line connects to the terminal by a covered walkway from gate B6 on the first floor. Trains run toward Recife station from about 05:00 to 23:00, but carrying large bags on crowded trains can be awkward.

  • Bus to Boa Viagem and the center

    City bus line 42 stops at the arrivals area and passes Boa Viagem on its way to the center, and line 033 offers a quicker trip to Boa Viagem. Buses are slow at peak hours and have little luggage space.

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Terminals

Main Terminal

A single passenger terminal, opened in 2004, that handles all domestic and international flights. It connects by a covered walkway to the Aeroporto metro station.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport.

Azul Main Terminal

São Paulo–Congonhas, Campinas, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Belém, Natal, Aracaju, Campina Grande, Petrolina, Garanhuns, Porto, Montevideo

Airline guide

GOL Main Terminal

Brasília, Fortaleza, Fernando de Noronha, Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Córdoba

Airline guide

Iberia Main Terminal

Madrid

Airline guide

JetSMART Main Terminal

Buenos Aires

Airline guide

LATAM Airlines Main Terminal

São Paulo–Congonhas, Brasília, Fortaleza, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Santiago

Airline guide

TAP Air Portugal Main Terminal

Lisbon

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Recife airport from the city center?

Recife/Guararapes airport is about 14 km from downtown Recife, in the southern part of the city. The drive to the center takes about 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. You can also take the metro from the Aeroporto station, which is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway.

How far is Recife airport from Boa Viagem?

Recife airport is very close to Boa Viagem, the city's main beach district, and the trip takes about five minutes by car outside heavy traffic. Taxis, Uber and 99 are the quickest options, and city bus line 033 offers a faster bus trip to Boa Viagem than the general lines that continue to the center.

Is Recife airport inside the city?

Yes. Guararapes airport lies within the city of Recife, in its southern part, about 14 km from downtown and a few minutes by car from the Boa Viagem beach district. It is linked to the Recife Metro's South Line through the Aeroporto station, and city buses connect it with Boa Viagem, the center and nearby Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

How many terminals does Recife airport have?

Recife airport has one passenger terminal, opened in 2004, which handles both domestic and international flights. Check-in, immigration, baggage claim and the arrivals hall are all in the same building, so there is no need to move between terminals. The terminal connects to the Aeroporto metro station through a covered walkway.

Which airlines fly to Recife airport?

Azul is the largest airline at Recife and uses it as its main hub in the Northeast. GOL and LATAM Airlines also run domestic routes and flights to Argentina and Chile. International carriers include TAP Air Portugal to Lisbon, Iberia to Madrid and JetSMART to Buenos Aires. Recife no longer has regular direct flights to the United States.

How do I get a taxi at Recife airport?

Two kinds of taxis serve Recife airport, both 24 hours. Special taxis, identified by a red stripe, charge fixed fares by destination and have counters near baggage claim and in the south arrivals area. Regular taxis wait at the north and south arrivals areas and use the meter. Choose either at the official ranks rather than accepting offers outside.

Is there a metro from Recife airport?

Yes. The Aeroporto station on the Recife Metro's South Line is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway from gate B6 on the first floor. Trains run toward Recife station in the center from about 05:00 to 23:00, with trains roughly every eight minutes. It is a practical option if you travel light.

Can I use Uber at Recife airport?

Yes, Uber and 99 both operate at Recife airport. The pickup area is on the first floor at the departures doors (B), where signs mark the app pickup points. Head there after collecting your bags rather than waiting at the ground-floor arrivals exits, which are used by taxis and buses.

Do I need a visa to enter Brazil through Recife airport?

It depends on your nationality. Since April 10, 2025, citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia have needed a Brazil e-visa for tourism and business visits, ending a waiver in place since 2019. Many European and South American citizens can enter without a visa. Check the official Brazilian government guidance for your passport before you travel.

How do I get from Recife airport to Porto de Galinhas or Olinda?

Porto de Galinhas lies on the coast south of Recife, and Olinda is just north of the city, so both are reached by road from the airport. Taxis, rideshare apps and pre-booked transfers go directly to either place. Public transport to Porto de Galinhas involves buses with transfers, which is less practical with luggage.

What time zone is Recife in and what currency is used?

Recife uses UTC−3 all year, the same time as Brasília, since Brazil stopped observing daylight saving time in 2019. The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL). The climate is tropical, warm and humid throughout the year, with a rainier season in the middle of the year, so light clothing and rain gear are useful.

Who operates Recife airport and how busy is it?

Spanish airport group Aena operates Recife airport under a 30-year concession awarded in 2019, taking over from the state company Infraero in 2020. The airport handled about 9.9 million passengers in 2025, up 3.6 percent from 2024, and Aena expects it to pass 10 million passengers for the first time in 2026.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

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

Is the transportation private or shared?

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

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

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

How many people can a van carry?

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

How do I find you at the airport?

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

What kind of vehicles do you use?

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

Do you have insurance?

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

Do you provide baby seats?

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

How far in advance should I book?

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

What payment methods are accepted?

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

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

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

What if my flight is delayed?

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

Can I make stops during my ride?

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

Do children pay differently than adults?

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

Is my reservation refundable?

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.

Do drivers speak English?

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

Are tips mandatory?

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

What currencies are accepted?

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

Are pets allowed?

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

Is there room for luggage?

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

What is included in the price?

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.

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