How to Get to Recife & Olinda: Guararapes Airport (REC), Metro & Transfers

Unlike many Brazilian capitals whose airports sit far out in the countryside, Recife/Guararapes Gilberto Freyre International Airport (IATA: REC) lies right inside the southern urban perimeter, making arrivals into Boa Viagem, Recife Antigo, and Olinda remarkably quick and straightforward.

1. Flying into Recife International Airport (REC)

• Location & Proximity: Situated in the Imbiribeira / Boa Viagem district, REC Airport is just 3 kilometres from Boa Viagem Beach (a 10-minute ride), 11 kilometres south of Recife Antigo (20 to 25 minutes), and 18 kilometres south of Historic Olinda (35 to 45 minutes).
• Direct International & Domestic Connections: Serving as the primary aviation hub for Northeast Brazil (and a major hub for Azul Brazilian Airlines), REC handles direct international flights from Lisbon and Porto (TAP Air Portugal), Madrid, Florida, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Santiago, alongside non-stop domestic flights from Salvador, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Manaus.

2. Airport Transfers: Uber, Taxis, Metrô do Recife & Porto de Galinhas

• Uber, 99 & Licensed Airport Taxis: Because distances are short, app-based rides (Uber and 99, picked up at the signed terminal kerb) and pre-paid Cooptaxi airport cabs are the fastest, most convenient transfer to hotels in Boa Viagem, Pina, Recife Antigo, or Olinda.
• Metrô do Recife (Linha Sul): A covered overhead walkway links the airport terminal to Aeroporto Station on the South Line (Linha Sul) of the Recife Metro, which runs north to Joana Bezerra and Estação Central do Recife (right beside the Casa da Cultura in Santo Antônio); check the official CBTU Recife portal for current operating timetables.
• Direct Transfers to Porto de Galinhas: From the airport arrivals hall, you can reach Porto de Galinhas (50 kilometres south via the PE-009 Rota do Atlântico toll road) in 50 minutes by private transfer, Uber, or the air-conditioned Viação Cruzeiro Line 195 bus.

3. Long-Distance Buses (TIP) and Getting Around the City

Interstate coaches from Natal, João Pessoa, Maceió, and Salvador arrive at the Terminal Integrado de Passageiros (TIP) in Curado on the western edge of the city, linked directly to downtown by the Linha Centro metro. For day-to-day sightseeing between Boa Viagem, Recife Antigo, the Brennand museums in Várzea, and Olinda, use Uber or 99 point to point.