Flying from Sao Paulo to Medellin: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Sao Paulo. Check out your options departing from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP) when reserving your flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin.
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) is the primary arrival point in Medellin.
Around 6 hours is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Sao Paulo to Medellin flight.
Medellin's timezone is UTC-5, making Medellin two hours behind Sao Paulo.
The most popular route for flights from Sao Paulo to Medellin is Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to {"defaultCase":"Jose Maria Cordova International Airport","accusativeCase":"Jose Maria Cordova International Airport","nominativeCase":"Jose Maria Cordova International Airport","dativeCase":"Jose Maria Cordova International Airport"} (MDE). You'll find two services between the two airports each week.
To ensure you make it on your Sao Paulo to Medellin flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Medellin
Book five months before your departure date. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Sao Paulo to Medellin flights.
Organize your trip for August. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on plane tickets from Sao Paulo to Medellin. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Medellin.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Sao Paulo to Medellin flights.
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 Medellin. From GRU, you can fly directly to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE).
Reserve your Sao Paulo to Medellin plane tickets with AVIANCA. This airline is a top choice for direct flights from GRU.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Sao Paulo to Medellin flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
GRU is about 21 kilometers from central Sao Paulo. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
After a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights leaving Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% land on time at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
You can reach VCP from the center of Sao Paulo in about 1 hour 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 3 hours 25 minutes to cover the 80 kilometers or so.
It's your vacation, so why not book an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Viracopos Airport the day before your flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin:
75.02% of flights out of Viracopos Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Arriving in Medellin
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
The distance from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) to central Medellin is roughly 18 kilometers. It'll take you around 35 minutes to get to the center driving.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near MDE:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Jose Maria Cordova International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Localiza, Green Motion or Confort Rent a Car and explore beyond Medellin's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your vehicle from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport around one week in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH)
Once your flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin has touched down, you can reach the city center in around 15 minutes by car. Central Medellin is roughly 3 kilometers from Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the center will take you 30 minutes or so.
Grab an Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport rental car and be your own tour guide. You can select from popular companies like Confort Rent a Car and Green Motion.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Securing your ride one week ahead of your arrival at EOH can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Medellin
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin. August is the busiest month for a trip to Medellin. If you want a quieter vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your Sao Paulo to Medellin tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Medellin, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC (52ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Look for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Medellin around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Medellin
After booking your flight from Sao Paulo to Medellin, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Medellin:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Parque Arvi, Comuna 13 and Botero Plaza are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Medellin itinerary.
Explore more of Colombia
You've visited Medellin, now it's time to explore more of Colombia. Journey around 241 kilometers south-east to Bogota to check off its popular sights. From Gold Museum to Usaquen Train Station and Urbanización Villas del Madrigal - Molino del Viento Park, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Cali is another sought-after destination in Colombia and is around 322 kilometers south of Medellin. No trip is complete without visiting Cristo Rey, Gato de Tejada and Caliwood Museo de la Cinematografia.