Travelling from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) is Johannesburg's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo departing from here.
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) and Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP) are Sao Paulo's primary gateways.
The average duration of a direct Johannesburg to Sao Paulo flight is 10 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Sao Paulo is UTC-3, which is five hours behind Johannesburg.
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are five weekly departures to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo is with LATAM Airlines at 15:20. Go for the first JNB to GRU departure with South African Airways at 09:50 to make the most of your first day in Sao Paulo.
To ensure you make your Johannesburg to Sao Paulo flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo
Right now, $507 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. The cheapest price for a return flight is $692. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap Johannesburg to Sao Paulo flights by booking 11 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
April is the best month for scoring an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Finding a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Johannesburg to Sao Paulo flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
You can get a direct flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo departing from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB). Begin your trip at JNB and land at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU).
Check out the promotions with LATAM Airlines. This carrier offers direct Johannesburg to Sao Paulo plane tickets out of JNB.
We make it easy to book a Johannesburg to Sao Paulo flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Addis Ababa Airport (ADD)
Cape Town Airport (CPT)
JNB is about 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
Want an easy start to your trip? Stay near Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport's on-time performance, 75% of flights complete their journey on time.
Arriving in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) is approximately 21 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 45 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near GRU:
Travel at your own speed with a Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and experience more of Sao Paulo and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport around two weeks ahead can help you get the best possible rate.
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH)
After your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 25 minutes by car. Central Sao Paulo is roughly 8 kilometres from Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH).
The trip will take about 50 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo, rest your head at a hotel near CGH. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from CGH three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP) is around 80 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the city centre by car once you've hopped off your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo.
If you travel by public transport, the journey takes around 2 hours 20 minutes.
Whether you're searching for a budget-friendly compact for a solo getaway or a spacious SUV to fit the family, you'll find the right Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport rental car for you. Browse the types of wheels available from suppliers such as Foco, Localiza and Movida.
If you're searching for a specific type of vehicle, book your ride from VCP around four weeks before your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. This gives you a better shot at getting your preferred car, on top of a better deal.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. July is the busiest month for a trip to Sao Paulo. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in March.
Before locking in your Johannesburg to Sao Paulo tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. February is the warmest month in Sao Paulo, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF) on average.
More about Sao Paulo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Sao Paulo right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo are essential stops on your Sao Paulo itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
You've seen Sao Paulo, now it's time to explore other parts of Brazil. Travel around 499 kilometres northeast to Belo Horizonte to check off its must-visit sights. From Pampulha Modern Ensemble to Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 338 kilometres southwest of Sao Paulo, Curitiba is another essential stop in Brazil. Start your sightseeing at Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Eco Park and Botanical Garden of Curitiba.




