Flying from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio De Janeiro: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro is 1 hour 10 minutes.
Sao Paulo (the location of Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport) and Rio De Janeiro are in the same timezone — UTC-3.
With 96 flights a week between the two airports, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) is the busiest route. Gol operates the earliest flight at 00:05. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the last flight from GRU to GIG is with LATAM Airlines at 23:50.
Give yourself enough time to get on your GRU to Rio De Janeiro flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
You can book a direct Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro ticket. Begin your journey at GRU and arrive at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG).
You can choose from various airlines that operate direct flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, such as:
Located around 21 kilometres from central Sao Paulo, GRU can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near GRU:
75.54% of flights leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio De Janeiro
R 243 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight. A return flight ticket right now is R 1,020. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To snag cheap flights from GRU to Rio De Janeiro, book your journey one month ahead of your departure.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring a bargain on Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from GRU to Rio De Janeiro by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Rio De Janeiro
Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) to central Rio De Janeiro is roughly 18 kilometres. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to GIG if you're coming in on a late flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Rio De Janeiro's main sights.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from GRU to Rio De Janeiro.
Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
The centre of Rio De Janeiro is located around 2 kilometres from Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Once your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 5 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 15 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SDU. Kick back and get cosy after your GRU to Rio De Janeiro flight at one of these well-located options:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make picking up a Santos Dumont Airport rental car easy and quick. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Reserving your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Find your way to the city centre after your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro has touched down. Central Rio De Janeiro is around 32 kilometres from Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) and takes roughly 40 minutes to reach by cab or ride-share.
If you go by public transport, the journey takes around 1 hour 25 minutes.
If you don't want to travel to the centre, find a hotel near RRJ. Make yourself comfy at one of these stays after your GRU to Rio De Janeiro flight:
Ready to get behind the wheel? Pick up a Jacarepagua-Roberto Marinho Airport rental car from Localiza and start your journey without stressing about how to reach your destination.
If you're hoping for a specific type of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of snagging what you want. Book your ride from RRJ a few weeks ahead of your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro.
Best time to go to Rio De Janeiro
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro. The city comes alive during peak season, but hotel prices are often higher and top attractions can get crowded. Visit Rio De Janeiro in the low season for a more relaxed vibe.
Book a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro flight ticket with a departure in February if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 22ºC (72ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 17ºC (63ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from GRU to Rio De Janeiro around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Rio De Janeiro
After booking your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio De Janeiro, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio De Janeiro:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are essential stops on your Rio De Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Rio De Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, well-known attractions include Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista.
If you're ready to explore another major stop in Brazil, head for Belo Horizonte, about 338 kilometres north of Rio De Janeiro. Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro are key highlights.
