Travelling 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 check out your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo departing from here.
Touch down in Sao Paulo at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) or Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Sao Paulo's timezone is UTC-3, which makes Sao Paulo five hours ahead of San Diego.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your San Diego to Sao Paulo flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak month like August? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap San Diego to Sao Paulo flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from San Diego to Sao Paulo.
Locking in a cheap flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
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 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
We make it simple to book a San Diego to Sao Paulo flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from San Diego International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH)
SAN is about 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
74% of flights that take off from San Diego International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)
The distance from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to central Sao Paulo is roughly 21 kilometres. It'll take you about 45 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near GRU:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and experience the lesser-explored corners of Sao Paulo and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport about two weeks ahead boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH)
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH) is roughly 8 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo. Once you've hopped off your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo, it'll take you approximately 25 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 50 minutes or so.
After your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to CGH. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Foco, Localiza and Movida make collecting a Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from CGH three weeks in advance often means better deals and a greater range of vehicles.
Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Travel to the centre after your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo has landed. Central Sao Paulo is around 80 kilometres from Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP) and takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to get there in a car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of around 2 hours 20 minutes.
Begin your trip without worrying about how to reach your destination with a Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport rental car. Book your ideal wheels with reliable names here like Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Plan ahead and put that extra money in your pocket. Book your vehicle from VCP four weeks before your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo for the most affordable rates.
Best time to go to Sao Paulo
July is the most popular month for flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo. To skip the crowds, visit Sao Paulo in March.
The warmest month in Sao Paulo is February, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC and 29ºC. Book your San Diego to Sao Paulo ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap flights from San Diego to Sao Paulo around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Sao Paulo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Sao Paulo right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from San Diego to Sao Paulo:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo are attractions you won't want to skip in Sao Paulo.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Brazil just waiting to be explored. About 499 kilometres northeast of Sao Paulo, a trip to Belo Horizonte will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.
Curitiba is another must-experience destination in Brazil and is around 338 kilometres southwest of Sao Paulo. No trip is complete without visiting Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Eco Park and Botanical Garden of Curitiba.