# Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC)

> Recife, BR · 14 km (9 mi) south of downtown Recife

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/rec
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/rec.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: REC
- **ICAO**: SBRF
- **Timezone**: America/Recife
- **Runways**: 1
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 9,000,000+/yr
- **Official site**: https://www.aenabrasil.com.br/en/airports/recife-guararapes-gilberto-freyre-international-airport/index.html

## Overview

## Welcome

Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) invites you to explore its unique blend of beach-gateway charm and manageable infrastructure. With a single terminal (T1) that sees over 9 million passengers annually, this airport is both a bustling transit point and a surprising retreat. Located just 14 km south of downtown Recife, it's packed like a compact mall with local chains and connections throughout Brazil's northeast, making it a favorite among travelers who want a straightforward big-city airport experience.

## At a glance

Recife’s airport offers a single terminal with 16 gates, serving major carriers like Azul Brazilian Airlines, Gol Transportes Aéreos, and LATAM Brasil. The airport offers a metro connection and a wealth of local dining choices, but note the day versus late-night splits in activity. While during the day, it might feel like a vibrant hub, late at night you'll find many eateries shut down, leaving passengers to explore limited options. Lounges do offer reprieve for those seeking comfort between flights.

## Terminals & layout

The airport is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring one main passenger terminal, T1. This efficient layout offers everything from domestic to international flights under one roof. Facilities range from cafes like Café São Braz to shopping at Dufry Duty Free and more. The airport still maintains a small feel, which frequent fliers appreciate for the ease of navigation.

## Getting to and from the city

Transport options are varied at REC. Many choose the Recife Metro’s Linha Sul, which provides a quick 20-25 minute ride from the Aeroporto station to central Recife stations for R$2-3. City buses, such as the Linha 033 to Boa Viagem and Linha 037 to TI Joana Bezerra, are affordable and take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis typically cost R$25-40 to Boa Viagem, while Uber and 99 rideshares offer slightly cheaper alternatives with fares often between R$13-25.

## Traveller essentials

You'll find several ATMs on the ground floor arrivals area—stick with big names like Bradesco or Santander for fewer foreign card issues. Car rentals and tour bookings are readily available near baggage claim, alongside currency exchange services. For those needing a rest, the Siesta Box cabins by Domestic Arrivals offer hour-based bookings for a comfortable layover sleep.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Dining at REC features local and international flavors, with favorites like Subway and Café São Braz in T1. In the Brazilian spirit, stop by Casa do Pão de Queijo for a savory snack. Shopping includes everything from classic Brazilian brands like Havaianas to tech shops like Iplace. Remember, late-night options are limited, so plan to eat before the 22:30 closures.

## Lounges

If you have time to spare, the Plaza Premium Lounge at Gate 16 offers paid access at $62.26, with perks like showers and quieter seating—ideal for those on international routes or early morning connections. Other lounges, such as the Star Alliance near Gate 16, provide exclusive amenities based on alliance status or ticket class. Check ahead for access clarity as signage can be inconsistent.

## Insider tips

- **Insider**: Check out the Recife Metro (Linha Sul) from the Aeroporto station; it's faster than driving in peak traffic to Boa Viagem.

- **Money**: Use ATMs on the ground floor arrivals area from banks like Bradesco, to avoid extra foreign fees.

- **Time**: Head through security at least 1.5 hours before any late-night flight due to potential long lines and no fast track for economy class.

- **Quiet**: For peace before a flight, the Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 16 offers a calm spot with day-pass availability.

- **Local**: For a unique local sleep option, try the Siesta Box near Domestic Arrivals; perfect for layovers.

- **Avoid**: Late-night hunger by planning a meal before security; most cafes airside close by 23:00.

## Terminals (1)

- **Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport Passenger Terminal** — 16 gates · Azul Brazilian Airlines, Gol Transportes Aéreos, LATAM Brasil
  A key hub for domestic flights in Brazil.

## Dining (17)

- **Bar do Recife** — $$
- **Bob's** — T1 · $
- **Cacau Show** — $$
- **Café do Ponto** — $
- **Café Santa Clara** — $
- **Café São Braz** — T1 · $
- **Casa do Pão de Queijo** — T1 · $
- **Deltaexpresso** — $$
- **Doce de Película** — $
- **Giraffas** — T1 · $$
- **Griletto** — $$
- **McDonald's**
- **Pizza Hut** — $$
- **Rei do Mate** — $
- **Spoleto** — T1 · $$
- **Subway** — T1 · $
- **Vivenda do Camarão** — T1 · $$

## Lounges (8)

- **Amex Lounge Recife** — International, American Express Platinum and Centurion
- **Plaza Premium Lounge** — International Terminal · International, pay-per-use and lounge programs · $62.26
- **Sala VIP Azul Recife** — Domestic, Azul business and elites
- **Sala VIP GOL Recife** — Domestic, GOL Premium and elites
- **Sala VIP LATAM Recife** — Domestic, LATAM Premium and elites
- **Sala VIP Recife** — Domestic, airline invitation and pay-per-use
- **Star Alliance Lounge** — International Terminal · International, Star Alliance premium and elites
- **W Premium Lounge Recife Frevo** — Main Terminal · International, Priority Pass and pay-per-use · $44

## Shops (19)

- **Chilli Beans**
- **Confidence Câmbio**
- **Correios**
- **Dufry Duty Free**
- **Dufry Shopping**
- **Havaianas**
- **Hering**
- **Hudson News**
- **Imaginarium**
- **Iplace**
- **Livraria Cultura**
- **Livraria Saraiva**
- **Luck Viagens**
- **Miniso**
- **O Boticário**
- **Pontual Turismo**
- **Richards**
- **TIM**
- **Vivo**

## Parking (9)

- **Estacionamento 24h Aeroporto Recife** — Outdoor
- **Estacionamento Boa Viagem Aeroporto** — Off-site
- **Estacionamento Econômico Aeroporto Recife** — Economy
- **Estacionamento Oficial Aeroporto Recife** — Covered
- **Estacionamento Premium Aeroporto Recife** — Valet
- **Estacionamento VIP Aeroporto Recife** — Covered valet
- **Estapar Aeroporto Recife** — Long stay
- **Garagem Imbiribeira** — Nearby covered
- **Park & Fly Recife Aeroporto** — Long stay

## Ground transport (10)

- **99 Aeroporto Recife** — Rideshare · 15-25 min to Boa Viagem in light traffic · Typical fares similar to or slightly lower than Uber; local screenshots in r/recife show airport–Boa Viagem often R$13-22 with promotions · On demand via app; driver availability somewhat variable late at night
- **Airport Shuttle Boa Viagem** — Hotel shuttle · : "not mentioned" · : "more expensive than booking an Uber" · : "operates on a fixed schedule"
- **Linha 033 Aeroporto Boa Viagem** — City bus · 25-40 min depending on traffic · R$2-3 · Every 15-30 min in daytime; less frequent evenings/weekends
- **Linha 037 Aeroporto TI Joana Bezerra** — City bus · 20-35 min to TI Joana Bezerra depending on traffic · R$2-3 · Roughly every 15-30 min in daytime
- **Linha 115 TI Aeroporto TI Afogados** — City bus · 20-35 min between the airport and TI Afogados · R$2-3 · Approximately every 20-30 min (daytime)
- **Linha 2040 Aeroporto RioMar** — City bus · 20-40 min to RioMar depending on traffic · R$2-3 · Roughly every 20-30 min (daytime, less at night)
- **Linha Sul Metro Aeroporto** — Metro · 20-25 min to central Recife stations · R$2-3 · Every 5-10 min · roughly 05:00–23:00
- **Rodoviária Recife Guararapes Coach** — Intercity coach · Roughly 30-60 min by car depending on traffic; metro+bus combinations can take 45-70 min · No dedicated airport–Rodoviária coach; combined metro+bus option would typically be under R$10 total, while taxi/app rides to Rodoviária are often reported around R$40-70 depending on traffic · Intercity coaches from Rodoviária run on fixed schedules by route; there is no dedicated high‑frequency shuttle from the airport
- **Táxi Aeroporto Recife** — Taxi · 15-25 min to Boa Viagem in light traffic · Typical airport–Boa Viagem around R$25-40 according to recent Google/TripAdvisor reports · On demand from curbside during airport operating hours
- **Uber Aeroporto Recife** — Rideshare · 15-25 min to Boa Viagem in light traffic; longer at rush hour · Recent user screenshots on Google/Reddit show typical airport–Boa Viagem rides in the R$15-25 range in normal conditions · On demand via app; wait times often 3-10 min but longer in peaks/bad weather

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Check out the Recife Metro (Linha Sul) from the Aeroporto station; it's faster than driving in peak traffic to Boa Viagem.
- _Money_: Use ATMs on the ground floor arrivals area from banks like Bradesco, to avoid extra foreign fees.
- _Time_: Head through security at least 1.5 hours before any late-night flight due to potential long lines and no fast track for economy class.
- _Quiet_: For peace before a flight, the Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 16 offers a calm spot with day-pass availability.
- _Local_: For a unique local sleep option, try the Siesta Box near Domestic Arrivals; perfect for layovers.
- _Avoid_: Late-night hunger by planning a meal before security; most cafes airside close by 23:00.