Travelling from Madeira Airport (FNC) to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
Sao Paulo is three hours behind Madeira, where Madeira Airport is located. Sao Paulo follows the UTC-3 timezone.
To avoid missing your FNC to Sao Paulo flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're flying during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for flight tickets from FNC to Sao Paulo, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Central Madeira to FNC is around 19 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take you about 40 minutes to reach there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Looking for a hotel close to FNC? If you've booked an early flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
73.73% of flights leaving from Madeira Airport reach their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Madeira Airport (FNC) to Sao Paulo
R 5,943 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo flight. A return flight ticket right now is R 12,782. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from FNC to Sao Paulo. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo across each month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an extra saving on cheap flights from FNC to Sao Paulo.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo.
Airports in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
The distance from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to central Sao Paulo is roughly 26 kilometres. It'll take you about 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 20 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo. Book one of these accommodation options near GRU instead:
Hit the road running 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 main sights.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport around two weeks before your flight from FNC to Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
The centre of Sao Paulo is about 10 kilometres from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH). Once your flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 15 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in about 35 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near CGH. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your FNC to Sao Paulo flight:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Check out the rates and availability from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Call dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from CGH three weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Viracopos Airport (VCP) is around 97 kilometres from central Sao Paulo. It'll take you about 1 hour 15 minutes to get to the city centre by car once you've stepped off your flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo.
The journey will take around 3 hours 25 minutes if you use public transport.
If you don't want to travel to the centre, choose a hotel close to VCP. Get settled at one of these options after your FNC to Sao Paulo flight:
Whether you're searching for a budget-friendly compact for solo travel or a full-size SUV to fit everyone and their gear, you'll find the perfect Viracopos Airport rental car for your needs. Explore the range of wheels available from companies such as Foco, Localiza and Movida.
If you're looking for a specific type of vehicle, book your ride from VCP around four weeks ahead of your flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo. This gives you a higher chance of getting the car you want, as well as a better deal.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
Visit Sao Paulo during the high season if you want a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Lock in a Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo flight ticket with a departure in February if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from FNC to Sao Paulo around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Sao Paulo
Once you've booked your flight from Madeira Airport to Sao Paulo, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Sao Paulo:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo Museum of Art and Avenida Paulista are must-visits when exploring Sao Paulo.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of Brazil just waiting to be discovered. About 499 kilometres north-east of Sao Paulo, a visit to Belo Horizonte will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Brazil, consider Curitiba, about 338 kilometres south-west of Sao Paulo. Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, Museu Oscar Niemeyer and Largo da Ordem are among the biggest draws.