Travelling from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Sao Paulo. Explore your options leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP) when searching for a flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles.
Step off your plane in Los Angeles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Around 12 hours 10 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flight.
Los Angeles is four hours behind Sao Paulo and follows the UTC-7 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles is from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can select from four weekly services between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from GRU to LAX is the 22:50 LATAM Airlines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 23:15 with LATAM Airlines.
Allow plenty of time to catch your Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles
Lock in cheap Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flights by booking five months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
August is the best month for scoring an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
You can get a direct flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles jetting off from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). Start your trip at GRU and come in for landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Check out the promotions with LATAM Airlines. This carrier offers direct Sao Paulo to Los Angeles plane tickets from GRU.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
The journey from central Sao Paulo to GRU takes about 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
Of the departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% land on time at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
You can get to VCP from the centre of Sao Paulo in about 1 hour 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 3 hours 25 minutes to cover the 80 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles? Relax in a hotel near Viracopos Airport before your adventure officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Viracopos Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 75%.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 55 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond Los Angeles's usual tourist stops.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance of your Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flight.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is around 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Once your flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 35 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
There are some comfortable places ready to welcome you near VNY. Settle in and get cosy after your Sao Paulo to Los Angeles flight at one of these perfectly located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Van Nuys Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare offers from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Avoid filling out forms on the spot and save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from VNY in advance so you can just collect the keys and drive away.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
July is the most popular month for flights from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles. To skip the crowds, head to Los Angeles in May.
The warmest month in Los Angeles is August, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC and 32ºC. Book your Sao Paulo to Los Angeles ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Los Angeles right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory and The Broad are a couple of big attractions to add to your Los Angeles travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, top sights here include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
San Jose is another essential stop in United States and is around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. No trip is complete without experiencing Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.
