Flying from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 15 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo (where Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is located) share the UTC-3 timezone. This means there's no time difference to adjust for.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) is the most popular route, with 81 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from GRU to GIG is with LATAM Airlines at 23:50. Opt for the first departure with Gol at 00:05 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For a relaxed start to your GRU to Rio de Janeiro flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Start your trip at GRU and travel nonstop to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG). That will be your arrival point when searching for Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro tickets.
There's a good selection of carriers operating direct flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, such as:
The journey from central Sao Paulo to GRU takes around 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near GRU. Whether you have an early flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of all flights departing from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 71% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio de Janeiro
The best price we've seen for a one-way Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro flight is R 701. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,416. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from GRU to Rio de Janeiro, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer lower prices when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro across the month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Picking up a cheap flight from GRU to Rio de Janeiro couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as a new discount appears.
Find an affordable flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
The distance from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 19 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport typically takes 1 hour.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. Reserve one of these accommodation options near GIG instead:
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport around four weeks before your flight from GRU to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
The centre of Rio de Janeiro is around 5 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). After your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 10 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 20 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places to drop your things at near SDU. Unwind and get cosy after your GRU to Rio de Janeiro flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ)
Jacarepagua - Roberto Marinho Airport (RRJ) is around 27 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. It'll take you about 45 minutes to get to the city centre by taxi or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, head for a hotel near RRJ. Settle in at one of these options after your GRU to Rio de Janeiro flight:
If you'd like a particular make or model, booking early gives you a better shot at getting what you want. Reserve your ride from RRJ at least 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
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro. January is the busiest month for a trip to Rio de Janeiro. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in December.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Book your Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
July sees average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from GRU to Rio de Janeiro around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Rio de Janeiro
After booking your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Christ the Redeemer, Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Rio de Janeiro itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be explored once you've seen Rio de Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, its top attractions include Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in Brazil, consider Belo Horizonte, roughly 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis are the start of reasons to visit.