Flying from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Sao Paulo is home to two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for booking a flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg leaving from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) or Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Hop off the plane at Johannesburg's primary gateway, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB).
The average time for a direct Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flight is 8 hours 40 minutes.
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2, which is five hours ahead of Sao Paulo.
The busiest route for flights from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg is from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB). Take your pick of five services every week between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from GRU to JNB is the 17:05 South African Airways service. If you prefer travelling later, the final scheduled service is at 22:55 with LATAM Airlines.
To ensure you don't miss your Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg
Book six months before you want to fly. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flights.
Organise your trip for November. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg 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.
Lock in a cheap Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, you can depart from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU). Fly from GRU to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) without making any stops.
Secure your Sao Paulo to Johannesburg plane tickets with LATAM Airlines. This carrier is a popular option for direct flights from GRU.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flights leaving from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Addis Ababa Airport (ADD)
Cape Town Airport (CPT)
The journey from central Sao Paulo to GRU takes around 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport, 71% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport (VCP)
You can reach 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 travel the 80 kilometres or so.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, unwind in one of these hotels near Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Sao Paulo Viracopos Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 74%.
Arriving in Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
The distance from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg is roughly 23 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near JNB:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and experience the lesser-explored corners of Johannesburg and beyond.
Booking your ride from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport around three weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Lanseria Airport (HLA)
Lanseria Airport (HLA) is roughly 32 kilometres from central Johannesburg. Once you've disembarked your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, it'll take you approximately 45 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near HLA. Tuck yourself in after your Sao Paulo to Johannesburg flight at one of these perfectly located options:
First - Car Rental, Tempest - Car Rental and Firefly powered by Hertz make collecting a Lanseria Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get exactly what you want. Reserving your ride from HLA four weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA)
Get off your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg and head straight for your hotel or start checking out the sights right away. Central Johannesburg is about 11 kilometres from Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA).
Set your GPS and zoom off to your next destination with a Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport rental car. Whether you're looking for a nimble compact or a passenger van to fit the family, you'll find the perfect set of wheels from Avis or Budget.
Rental companies sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so book your vehicle from QRA well ahead of your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg. A bit of planning goes a long way in savings.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg. April is the busiest month for a trip to Johannesburg. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in March.
When booking your Sao Paulo to Johannesburg tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 3ºC and 20ºC on average.
More about Johannesburg
After booking your flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Johannesburg:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Statue and Top of Africa are must-visits when exploring Johannesburg.
Explore more of South Africa
Soweto is just one of the many cities in South Africa waiting to be explored once you've seen Johannesburg. Around 21 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Soweto, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela's House.
If there's time to check out another major stop in South Africa, head for Pretoria, about 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela Statue, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and Idube Game Reserve are the start of reasons to visit.
