São José dos Campos is attended by the International Airport Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf ^{[formerly dead link]} . Despite being an international airport, it operates only domestic commercial flights, connecting the city to Campinas, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro. The airport is very close to the main aerospace and research centers (Embraer, CTA, Mectron, INPE) which may be convenient for business visitors.

For other destinations (including international destinations), the closest airport is the Guarulhos airport in São Paulo, about 1 hour by car from São José dos Campos, although Congonhas (São Paulo) and Viracopos (Campinas) are alternatives.

• BR-116 (Via Dutra) - The highway which links São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cuts through the center of town.
• SP-050 (Monteiro Lobato) comes in from the area of Campos do Jordão and Santo Antônio do Pinhal
• SP-65 (Dom Pedro I) from the Campinas region intersects both BR-116 and SP-70 in neighboring Jacareí
• SP-66 (Geraldo Scavone) is yet another connection from Jacareí
• SP-70 (Carvalho Pinto) - An alternate route from neighboring Taubaté or Jacareí
• SP-99 (Tamoios) - Connects the city to Caraguatatuba on the coast

The best areas to explore on foot are the Centro (Downtown) and Vila Adyana neighborhoods, southeast of the Banhado. There you can find most of the city's historical buildings, street commerce, and pleasant green areas like the Vicentina Aranha and Santos Dumont parks, plus of course the Banhado itself.

Buses linking downtown to the suburbs are relatively frequent, although quite crowded during peak hours. Suburb-to-suburb transport, on the other hand, is extremely limited. Many companies and research institutes are located in areas with limited or almost non-existent bus coverage, making public buses an impractical means of transport for many business tourists. Large companies, however, will typically operate private buses to and from various points in the city.

Taking a cab is a practical way for visitors to move around the main district. Taxi costs R$ 4,50 + R$ 2,25/km (flag 1) or + R$2,90/km (flag 2). A tariff calculator is available online^{[dead link]}. During the month of December, flag 2 applies all day long.

Renting a car may be more cost-effective than a taxi for long-distance travel, including going to São Francisco Xavier or exploring the areas beyond the municipality. The city grew has grown faster than its road network and public transport capacity, and as a result, São José dos Campos suffers from severe traffic during the peak hours.

Navigating the main district isn't too complicated. It is crossed by two freeways that form an "X" shape: the Anel Viário (southwest to northeast) and the Av. Jorge Zarur/Rod. Nova Tamoios (northwest to southeast), and most of the time you will be not too far from one of them. São José is also crossed by the Rod. Presidente Dutra (BR-116) (northwest to southeast) that inappropriately functions as one of the main avenues of the city, as it is necessary for people commuting to and from remote suburbs and various factories.

To get around the districts:

• Main district => Eugênio de Melo: Take Rod. Presidente Dutra (BR-116) towards Rio de Janeiro
• Main district => São Francisco Xavier: From either Rod. Presidente Dutra or the Anel Viário, take Av. Dr. Nélson D'avila/Rod. Monteiro Lobato (SP-050) and get to Monteiro Lobato. Afterwards take the municipal road Monteiro Lobato-São Francisco Xavier

• -23.2224-45.859761 Memorial Aeroespacial Brasileiro, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, s/nº (taking the access to the airport), ☏ +55 12 3947-7844. Sa Su 09:00-17:00. Created to rescue the history of the technological progress the city, showcasing mainly military and aerospace equipment developed in the country, including the second prototype of the Bandeirante, the first Brazilian commercial and military aircraft. In the outside there is a tribute to the men who died in an accident at the Alcântara Launch Center, in 22 August 2003. free.  
• -23.18089-45.885372 Capela Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Museu de Arte Sacra de São José dos Campos), Travessa Chico Luiz, 67 - Centro, ☏ +55 12 3921-7226. Tu-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su 09:00-12:00. The chapel, built in 1908, used to be very crowded and is where troops and travellers gave thanks for the safety of their trips. It hosts a museum of sacred art. 
• -23.18438-45.886533 Espaço Mário Covas (Antiga Câmara Municipal), Praça Afonso Pena, nº 29, Centro, ☏ +55 12 3921-7587. M-F 08:00-17:00. Built in 1926, the small palace was the previous home of the City Council and was also once the first high school of the city. Now it hosts local culture expositions, a sports museum and a police department. 
• -23.1817-45.89994 Banhado (west of downtown). The "Banhado" is a huge depression and an environmental protection area located just west of downtown and north of Av. Anchieta. It offers a spectacular view, especially during the sunset, which can be enjoyed from the bars, cafes and sidewalks of the avenues surrounding it. 
• -23.19815-45.896895 Sanatório Vicentina Aranha (Parque Vicentina Aranha), Rua Eng. Prudente Meireles de Moraes, 302 - Vila Adyana, ☏ +55 12 3923-7131, contato@pqvicentinaaranha.org.br. The former sanatorium, finished in 1924, was projected by Ramos de Azevedo and belonged to Santa Casa de Misericórida, a charity organization associated with the Catholic church. It belongs now to the municipality and its gardens are a public park.  
• -23.180278-45.8879176 Igreja Matriz de São José dos Campos, Pça. Cônego João M. Guimarães, 69 - Centro, ☏ +55 12 3921-5516. Located in the place of foundation of São José dos Campos. It was constructed in 1934 to replace the original church, which had collapsed in 1831.  
• -23.2-45.89097 Parque Santos Dumont, Rua Engenheiro Prudente Meirelles de Moraes, 1000 - Vila AdyAna, ☏ +55 12 3921-7066. 04:00-22:00. The urban park pays a tribute to the Brazilian aviation pioneer Santos Dumont. It contains the third prototype of the Brazilian-made Bandeirante aircraft, and a replica of the 14-Bis airplane made by Santos Dumont. It also contains sport facilities and a Japanese garden. free.  

• -22.911822-45.9570758 São Francisco Xavier village. The "city center" of the district is this quiet and cozy village, with its cultural life and most services around Praça Cônego Antônio Manzi.  
• -22.98468-45.953999 Cachoeira do Roncador (access by a dirt road 11 km from Monteiro Lobato, towards São Francesco Xavier), ☏ +55 12 3926-1202. 10:00-18:00. With 45 meters high, it is the tallest waterfall of São Francisco Xavier, that belongs to a private pousada. Check working hours in advance if you plan to go during weekdays. There are some buses to the waterfall departing from the São José dos Campos "Rodoviária Nova" intercity bus terminal. R$ 35 (10:00-15:00), R$ 18 (15:00-18:00). 
• -22.92465-45.9799810 Cachoeira Pedro David, Cachoeira de São Francisco (3 km from São Francisco Xavier village towards Joanópolis). It is a 15-meter-high public waterfall, with tourist infrastructure and easily accessible from the São Francisco Xavier village. 

• -22.89658-46.05161 Pico do Selado, São Francisco Xavier (12 km by taking Estrada Municipal Ezequiel Graciano (dirt road)). With 2.082 meters high, it is the tallest peak of the region, located between the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The trail has 10 km and it takes about 2½ hours. It has some difficulty and is not recommended for small children. From the top of the peak, it is possible to see seven cities, including São José dos Campos.  
• -22.8872-46.0222 Pedra Redonda (12 km from São Francisco Xavier, close to the border with Minas Gerais). 1925 meters high, 5.0 km, low difficulty. Possible to view the city of São José dos Campos with good weather. R$ 3.  
• São Francisco Xavier-Monte Verde Trail (start at São Francisco Xavier village). The trail between the villages of São Francisco Xavier and Monte Verde (in Minas Gerais) has about 15 km and medium difficulty. It offers an exhuberant view on its highest point. Having a guide is advised. 
• -22.8856-46.02873 Pedra Chapéu do Bispo, São Francisco Xavier.  

• Churrascaria Aquarius do Vale, Rua Juiz David Barrilli, 376 - Jardim Aquarius. Rodízio churrascaria (all-you-can-eat BBQ restaurant). 
• Villa Da Aldeia Churrascaria Av. São João, 282 – Jardim Esplanada Ii.

• Al Badah, Rua Serimbura, 15 - Jardim Maringá, Also at Vale Sul Shopping, Shopping Colinas;

• Restaurante Adissai Rua Santa Clara, 706 – Vila Adyanna;
• Restaurante Chinese House Av. São João, 171 – Jd. Nova América.

• Hotel Nacional Inn - SJC Av. Benedito Matarazzo, 9009 – Jardim Oswaldo Cruz;
• A Fonte Bistrô, Av. Eng. Francisco José Longo, 511 (inside Hotel Monreale Plus São José dos Campos).

• Trattoria Mezzanino Av. Nove De Julho, 226 – Centro.

• Sukiya Rua Luiz Jacinto, 216 – Centro;
• Nobarko Bar E Restaurante Japonês, Av. São João, 430 – Jd. Esplanada Ii;
• Restaurante Yamabuki I at Center Vale Shopping, Shopping Colinas;

Plenty of fast food stores can also be found in the food courts of the various shopping malls.

• Baitaburguer Tchê^{[dead link]}, Av. Engº Sebastião Gualberto, 606 – Vila Maria;

• Cantina Da Nena, Rua Luiz Jacinto 260 - Centro, Also at Shopping Colinas, Shopping Center Vale;
• Restaurante Vila Velha Pça Candido Dias Castejon, 27 – Centro;
• Com-Sciência Ii Av. Francisco José Longo, 589 – Vila Adyanna;

• Café Do Barão Vale Sul Shopping Av. Andrômeda, 227 – Jardim Satélite;
• Canteiros E Temperos, Rua Madre Paula De São José, 297 Casa 4 - Vila Ema;
• Torteria Haguanaboca Av. Nove De Julho, 1.137 – Vila Adyana;

• Bar E Restaurante Coronel Rua Francisco Rafael, 298 Centro;
• Novotel São José dos Campos Av. Dr. Nélson D’ávila, 2.200 – Vila Das Acácias;

• Tribo Do Camarão Center Vale Shopping Av. Benedito Matarazzo, 9009 - Jardim Oswaldo Cruz;

• Armazém Da Pizza Rua Serimbura, 400 – Jardim Maringá;
• Artesanal Pizzaria, Rua Euclides Da Cunha, 120 – Jardim Maringá;
• Augusto’s Pizzaria Av. Brasil, 622 – Monte Castelo;