Flying from Sao Paulo to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Sao Paulo. Explore your options leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP) when planning your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's major gateways.
Shanghai is 11 hours ahead of Sao Paulo and follows the UTC+8 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time such as July? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights if you book early. Airlines often have some great early bird discounts.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Sao Paulo to Shanghai.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Located around 21 kilometres from the centre of 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.
After a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of the flights that depart from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% touch down on time at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
With public transport, you can travel from central Sao Paulo to VCP in around 3 hours 25 minutes. The airport is roughly 80 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 15 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not book another night away? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Viracopos Airport the day before your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai:
75.02% of flights leaving Viracopos Airport meet their expected arrival time.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is approximately 32 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Consider booking a hotel near PVG if you have a late flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. Pick one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go beyond Shanghai and explore places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
To get the best possible deal, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport several weeks in advance. Prices typically go up closer to your day of departure.
The street address for PVG is No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is about 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Once your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 20 minutes.
After your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, rest your head at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Why let someone else's timetable dictate your plans? Pick up a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and set your own course. Book your wheels here with Hertz.
Usually, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Reserve your ride from SHA once you know your travel dates.
You'll find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to travel to Shanghai. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your Sao Paulo to Shanghai tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Shanghai right here. Explore these options once you've locked in your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored after you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, its top attractions include Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another favourite destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without seeing Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.
