Travelling from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo is 3 hours 5 minutes.
Sao Paulo's timezone is UTC-3, which is the same as Recife (the location of Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport).
Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is the most popular route, with 103 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from REC to GRU is with Gol at 22:55. Go for the first departure operated by Azul at 02:45 if you want to get on your way earlier.
Allow plenty of time to get on your REC to Sao Paulo flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak time like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Start your journey at REC and go straight to Sao Paulo without any layovers. When booking a direct Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo ticket, these are your arrival options:
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Choose from a variety of airlines offering direct flights from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo. Book your journey with one of these:
REC is around 8 kilometres from central Recife. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays near REC:
79.3% of flights leaving from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport make it to their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) to Sao Paulo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo flight is $164. The cheapest price for a return flight is $231. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Lock in cheap flights from REC to Sao Paulo by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
May is the best month for picking up an incredible deal on Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo tickets. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an extra saving on cheap flights from REC to Sao Paulo.
Snag an affordable flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is around 26 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 30 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near GRU instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Sao Paulo's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from REC to Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) is roughly 10 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. Once you've hopped off your flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo, it'll take you around 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 35 minutes.
After stepping off your REC to Sao Paulo flight, settle in at a hotel near CGH. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from CGH three weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Step off your flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo and head straight for your hotel or start exploring right away. Central Sao Paulo is around 97 kilometres from Viracopos Airport (VCP) and usually takes 1 hour 15 minutes to reach driving.
Public transport can get you there in around 3 hours 25 minutes.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, find a hotel close to VCP. Make yourself comfortable at one of these options after your REC to Sao Paulo flight:
Begin your trip without stressing about how to reach your next stop with a Viracopos Airport rental car. You can book with reliable companies here like Foco, Localiza and Movida.
If you're looking for a specific kind of vehicle, lock in your ride from VCP around four weeks before your flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you want, along with a better deal.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
Visit Sao Paulo during peak season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
The warmest month in Sao Paulo is February, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from REC to Sao Paulo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Sao Paulo
Start your Sao Paulo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport to Sao Paulo, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo Museum of Art and Avenida Paulista are must-do's during your Sao Paulo adventure.
Explore more of Brazil
You've seen Sao Paulo, now it's time to discover other corners of Brazil. Journey about 499 kilometres north-east to Belo Horizonte to check off its leading attractions. From Abilio Barreto Historical Museum to Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Curitiba is another well-known destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres south-west of Sao Paulo. No trip is complete without a visit to Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, Museu Oscar Niemeyer and Largo da Ordem.