Travelling from Sao Paulo to Shanghai: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll catch your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) and Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP) are Sao Paulo's main airports.
Hop off your plane in Shanghai at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).
Shanghai's timezone is UTC+8, making Shanghai 11 hours ahead of Sao Paulo.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight.
Travelling over a peak time such as July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Sao Paulo to Shanghai across each month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Find an affordable Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
GRU is around 21 kilometres from central Sao Paulo. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport, 71% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP)
You can get to VCP from the centre of Sao Paulo in about 1 hour 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes to cover the 80 kilometres or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, stay in one of these hotels close to Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 74%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 50 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near PVG if you have a late flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Set your own pace with a Shanghai Pudong Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz to explore beyond Shanghai's usual tourist stops.
Reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong Airport at least a few weeks ahead to lock in the best possible deal. If you're travelling during a peak period, it's a good idea to book your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight even earlier.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) is about 13 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. Following your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, it'll take you approximately 30 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
You can expect the journey to take about 40 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to SHA. Settle in and get cosy after your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Crank up the music and hit the road in a Shanghai Hongqiao Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Hertz and get your trip rolling right away.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from SHA ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and get going.
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the busiest month for flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. To skip the crowds, go to Shanghai in March.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your Sao Paulo to Shanghai ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Look for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, check out our selection of hotels including:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered once you've seen Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, check out popular attractions including Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
Suzhou is another must-experience destination in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without experiencing Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), Lingering Garden(Liuyuan Garden) and Pingjiang Road.