Flying from San Diego to Sao Paulo: what you need to know
Planning your trip starts with figuring out where you'll leave from in San Diego. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the city's main base, so explore your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo departing from here.
Touch down in Sao Paulo at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Sao Paulo is four hours ahead of San Diego and observes the UTC-3 timezone.
To ensure you make your San Diego to Sao Paulo flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap San Diego to Sao Paulo flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from San Diego to Sao Paulo across the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
There's no need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your San Diego to Sao Paulo flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
We make it easy to find a San Diego to Sao Paulo flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from San Diego International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
SAN is around 3 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 20 minutes.
After a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to San Diego International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 71.38% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to central Sao Paulo takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 21 kilometres away.
It usually takes 1 hour 20 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near GRU if you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport rental car and explore Sao Paulo and beyond with your own set of wheels. Foco, Localiza and Movida are top outlets you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport around two weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Once your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 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.
After your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo, tuck yourself in at a hotel near VCP. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
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 behind the wheel before you know it.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from CGH three weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a greater selection of vehicles.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Hop off your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo and go directly to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. Central Sao Paulo is around 80 kilometres from Viracopos Airport (VCP) and typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will get you there in about 3 hours 25 minutes.
Be in control of the next part of your journey by picking up a Viracopos Airport rental car. Foco, Localiza and Movida are dependable companies for booking.
If you're after a specific kind of vehicle, lock in your ride from VCP around four weeks ahead of your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo. This gives you a better chance of getting your preferred car, as well as a better rate.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
April is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo, while July is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to visit Sao Paulo based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Sao Paulo is February, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Lock in your San Diego to Sao Paulo ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo in July when temperatures average between 12ºC (54ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF).
More about Sao Paulo
Start your Sao Paulo trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Ibirapuera Park and Avenida Paulista are attractions you won't want to skip in 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 explored. Around 499 kilometres north-east of Sao Paulo, a trip to Belo Horizonte will keep you on the move. Don't miss top attractions like Abilio Barreto Historical Museum, Matiz Arte Objeto and Deck Vertedouro.
If you're eager to discover another corner of Brazil, head for Curitiba, about 338 kilometres south-west of Sao Paulo. Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, Museu Oscar Niemeyer and Largo da Ordem are the start of reasons to visit.
