Flying from Sao Paulo to Istanbul: what you need to know
Sao Paulo is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul departing from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP).
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
Take a direct Sao Paulo to Istanbul flight and you'll be traveling for an average of 12 hours 40 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is six hours ahead of Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 11 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 17:15. Choose the first GRU to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 04:05 to fit in more activities on your first day in Istanbul.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your Sao Paulo to Istanbul flight.
Flying during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Istanbul
To secure cheap Sao Paulo to Istanbul flights, book your trip eight months ahead of your departure.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Sao Paulo to Istanbul is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Lock in a cheap Sao Paulo to Istanbul 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 International Airport (GRU)
Depart from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) on a nonstop flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul. From GRU, you can fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct Sao Paulo to Istanbul plane tickets leaving from GRU.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for Sao Paulo to Istanbul flights leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 21 kilometers from the center of Sao Paulo, GRU can be reached in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Of the departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
VCP is about 80 kilometers from central Sao Paulo. It'll take 1 hour 15 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 3 hours 25 minutes.
You're going on vacation, so why not book an extra night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Viracopos Airport the day before your flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Viracopos Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 75%.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kilometers from the center of Istanbul. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there when traveling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are well-known companies you can book with here.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your trip.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is about 31 kilometers from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 55 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the center will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Score the best price by securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Sao Paulo to Istanbul, while April is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your Sao Paulo to Istanbul tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Istanbul in January if you like traveling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the big attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometers to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, about 322 kilometers south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are among its highlights.
