Flying from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG): What you need to know
Begin your travels at one of Sao Paulo's main airports, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH). Check out your options for booking a flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) departing from either of these.
The average length of a direct Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport flight is 1 hour.
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (where Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport is located) share the UTC-3 timezone. That means you won't need to change your watch once you arrive.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) is the most popular route. There are 81 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer to head out later, hop on the last flight with LATAM Airlines at 11:50pm. Opt for the first GRU to GIG departure with Gol at 12:05am if you want to get going earlier.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably board your flight from Sao Paulo to GIG.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
Airports in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) makes it easy to travel directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) leave from this terminal.
You can travel on a direct flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport with LATAM Airlines. This top airline operates services from GRU.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between GRU and GIG is LATAM Airlines.
GOL Linhas Aéreas is the most consistent performer for punctuality on this route.
Located around 26 kms (16 miles) from the centre of Sao Paulo, GRU can be reached in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Searching for a comfortable hotel close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
71% of flights departing from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH)
You can book a direct Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) plane ticket with departures from Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH). See if flying from CGH works better for your plans.
From CGH, direct flights from Sao Paulo to GIG can be booked with Gol.
On the CGH to GIG route, GOL Linhas Aéreas is the top airline in terms of bookings.
GOL Linhas Aéreas is the most reliable carrier flying from Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport, with 74.16% of its services arriving on schedule.
You can arrive at CGH from central Sao Paulo in approximately 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport takes roughly 50 minutes to travel the 10 kms (6 miles) or so.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Sao Paulo to GIG flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 75%.
Viracopos-Campinas International Airport (VCP)
Start your journey at Viracopos-Campinas International Airport (VCP) and fly straight to your destination without stopping. You can book direct flights from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport from here.
Set off from VCP with Azul. This reputable carrier offers direct Sao Paulo to GIG plane tickets.
Most travellers prefer to book seats with Azul Airlines from VCP to GIG.
With 78.4% of services landing as planned, GOL Linhas Aéreas is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
The journey time to VCP from central Sao Paulo is around 2 hours 20 minutes on public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 97 kms (60 miles) or so.
Take the uncertainty out of departure day — stay close to Viracopos-Campinas International Airport and know you'll reach your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights land without delays. At VCP, that rate is 74%.
About Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
Have a late flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport? Don't let it leave you bleary-eyed. Stay at one of these hotels near GIG and shut your eyes sooner:
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle around four weeks ahead of your Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport flight.
Getting from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport is around 19 kms (12 miles) from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. It takes around 30 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
It takes roughly 1 hour to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
£19 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport. Return flights start from £40. These fares can change based on demand and availability.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Sao Paulo to GIG. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across the month when searching for your Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport ticket.
Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from Sao Paulo to GIG by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Find the best deal on a flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
It's time to figure out when to book your flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG). January is the busiest month to visit Rio de Janeiro. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, think about going in December.
Before locking in your Sao Paulo to GIG plane ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. February is the warmest month in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 36ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport in July when temperatures are between 14ºC and 29ºC.
More about Rio de Janeiro
Once you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Rio de Janeiro:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer, Christ the Redeemer and Rio de Janeiro Carnival are attractions you won't want to skip in Rio de Janeiro.
Explore more of Brazil
You've done Rio de Janeiro, now it's time to discover other parts of Brazil. Travel around 225 kms (140 miles) northeast to Campos dos Goytacazes to check off its leading sights. From Campos History Museum to Barbosa Guerra Museum and Campos dos Goytacazes Museum, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Taubaté is another favourite destination in Brazil and is around 241 kms (150 miles) west of Rio de Janeiro. No trip is complete without a visit to Antiga estação de Trem de Taubaté- EFCB, Cachoeira dos Macacos and Convento Santa Clara.