Flying from Istanbul to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll catch your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Arrive in Sao Paulo at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Hop on a direct Istanbul to Sao Paulo flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 13 hours 30 minutes.
Sao Paulo's timezone is UTC-3, which makes Sao Paulo six hours behind Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 11 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo is with Turkish Airlines at 20:40. Go for the first IST to GRU departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 10:05 to make the most of your first day in Sao Paulo.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Istanbul to Sao Paulo flight.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Sao Paulo
Get cheap Istanbul to Sao Paulo flights by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for picking up a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Sao Paulo is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Lock in a cheap Istanbul to Sao Paulo flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're after a direct flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo, you can depart from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Travel from IST to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in one seamless journey.
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct Istanbul to Sao Paulo plane tickets from IST.
We make it a breeze to book an Istanbul to Sao Paulo flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Sao Paulo flight, here's where you can stop when leaving from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 31 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo, unwind in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
77% of flights taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
Arriving in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
The distance from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to central Sao Paulo is roughly 21 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near GRU instead:
Go where the road takes you with a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and see more of Sao Paulo and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport around two weeks before your travel date.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Once your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central Sao Paulo is roughly 8 kilometres from Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH).
The journey will take roughly 35 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to VCP. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make picking up a Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at CGH will save you money.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Step off your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo and head directly to your hotel or start sightseeing right away. The centre of Sao Paulo is around 80 kilometres from Viracopos Airport (VCP) and typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to drive there.
The journey will take you around 3 hours 25 minutes when travelling on public transport.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next part of your trip with a Viracopos Airport rental car. Foco, Localiza and Movida are some companies you can book with.
About four weeks before your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo is a good time to secure your ride from VCP. You're more likely to get a better rate or get access to early bird discounts.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
July is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul to Sao Paulo. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Sao Paulo in April.
The warmest month in Sao Paulo is February, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Istanbul to Sao Paulo ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo in July when temperatures average between 12ºC (54ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF).
More about Sao Paulo
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Sao Paulo:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista are top sights which should be on any good Sao Paulo itinerary.
Explore more of Brazil
You've done Sao Paulo, now it's time to explore other corners of Brazil. Travel about 499 kilometres north-east to Belo Horizonte to tick off its popular sights. From Abilio Barreto Historical Museum to Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another major 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 its highlights.
