Best Place to Exchange Money in Sao Paulo

Where to change money in Sao Paulo

No exchange office on Avenida Paulista, in Jardins or in Centro could be confirmed from two sources, so we name none. Exchange in Brazil must go through an institution authorised by the Banco Central, which keeps a public register; check a bureau there before handing over cash.

• Banco Safra exchange points, Guarulhos (GRU) Terminals 2 and 3 - Safra says it has 12 points at the airport, open 24 hours, with no account needed. Public ones include Terminal 2 departures (between check-ins B and C, and D and E), the Terminal 2 East arrivals hall and Terminal 3 departures at check-in G. Change only a little.
• Banco do Brasil, GRU Terminal 2 mezzanine (check-in B) - A bank branch open 10:00 to 14:00, according to the airport; we could not confirm whether it changes money for non-customers.

Changing money at the airport

Guarulhos (GRU) is the main international airport. Besides the Safra exchange points, the operator lists Banco 24 Horas cash machines in all three terminals and DAI machines, all open 24 hours; it gives no fees, so check the screen.

The airport station is on CPTM Line 13-Jade, and a free shuttle bus runs from it to the terminals. CPTM's Expresso Aeroporto service links the station with Palmeiras-Barra Funda for R$5.40; ordinary Line 13 trains connect with Line 12-Safira at Engenheiro Goulart. Trains run from 4am to midnight Sunday to Friday and until 1am on Saturday. Airport Bus Service line 316 serves the hotels on Avenida Paulista and 258 runs to Congonhas airport; buy at the Terminal 2 counter, 24-hour machines in Terminals 2 and 3 or from the driver (the airport publishes no fares). Guarucoop, the official airport taxi cooperative, has desks in every terminal and standard rates. For ride apps, book in the official app and check the car and driver match, as the FCDO advises.

ATMs and cards in Sao Paulo

With a UK debit card, a cash machine is normally the cheapest source of reais. Banco24Horas, whose network runs to more than 24,000 machines nationwide, says it accepts international Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards and charges the customer no fee of its own, leaving any charge to your bank. It publishes no withdrawal limit for foreign cards.

Card cloning at cash machines and in shops is a known risk, the FCDO says, as are short 'express kidnappings' to force withdrawals and phone snatching between 4pm and 9pm. Use machines in shopping centres or bank branches and keep your card in sight. Where a terminal asks whether to charge in pounds or reais, pick reais: in pounds, Which? notes, the retailer chooses the rate. In August 2026 Brazil's central bank was still only studying links between Pix and foreign payment systems, so for visitors a card remains the way to pay.

Paying for transport in Sao Paulo

A single QR-code ticket (Bilhete Unitário) costs R$5.40 and is good for one trip on the Metrô and CPTM trains. Buy it at stations, in the TOP app or in Google Wallet; ticket offices need not give change above R$20. Since December 2025 each station on Lines 1-Azul, 2-Verde, 3-Vermelha and 15-Prata has at least one turnstile for contactless Visa, Mastercard or Elo cards, and since April 2026 phones and watches work on Lines 1, 2 and 3, with Line 15 to follow. The Metrô does not say whether foreign-issued cards are accepted, and a bank card gives no discounted transfer to buses. The Bilhete Único travel card needs a Brazilian CPF tax number, so visitors use QR tickets or a card.

The FCDO says not to hail taxis in the street; use an authorised taxi or the official ride app.

Good to know

• No visa is needed for a UK tourist visit of up to 90 days; your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival (FCDO).
• Cash worth US$10,000 or more has to be declared online when you enter Brazil, says the FCDO.
• Many restaurant bills add a 10% taxa de serviço. Procon-SP says the customer may choose not to pay it, and since 2017 the law has required tips to reach the staff, so look at the bill before leaving extra.