Travelling from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): What you need to know
Put your holiday plans into action by working out where you'll take off for your flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and Viracopos Airport (VCP) are the two main airports in Sao Paulo.
Expect to be in the air for 8 hours 40 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport flight.
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2, which is five hours ahead of Sao Paulo. O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Johannesburg.
The most popular route is from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). There are 6 direct services every week. South African Airways operates a 5:05pm departure between GRU and JNB.
To ensure you get on your flight from Sao Paulo to JNB, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) operate out of this terminal.
When taking off from GRU, you can take a direct flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport with LATAM Airlines.
The airline most travellers choose when flying between GRU and JNB is LATAM Airlines.
Among carriers on this route, South African Airways has the best record for on-time arrivals.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Sao Paulo to JNB. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). Pause your trip (and maybe pocket some savings) with a stop at one of these popular airports:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
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 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a comfortable hotel close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Of the flights that depart from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% land on schedule at their destination.
Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH)
You can arrive at CGH from central Sao Paulo in approximately 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes to cover the 10 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Sao Paulo to JNB flight? Check in to a hotel near Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport before your trip officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 73.8%.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
From the centre of Sao Paulo, VCP is around 97 kilometres away. It takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the airport by car and 3 hours 25 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport flight with time to spare. These accommodation options near Viracopos Airport make departure day a breeze if you're flying out first thing:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights reach their destinations as expected. At VCP, that figure is 75.02%.
About O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport. Get comfy at one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Hit the road running by picking up an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion to explore Johannesburg and beyond.
Booking your ride around three weeks in advance of your Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport flight can help you find the best deal.
Getting from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg
Central Johannesburg is around 23 kilometres from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary depending on time of day and traffic conditions, so do a little research before your trip.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport is ر.ق. 1,584. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 2,032. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To snag cheap flights from Sao Paulo to JNB, book your ticket six months before your planned departure.
November is when you're most likely to land a fantastic deal on a Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport ticket. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Be the first to know about deals for flight tickets from Sao Paulo to JNB by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Nail down a great price on a flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
February is the quietest month for flights from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), while July is the most popular. Choose the best time to visit Johannesburg based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Sao Paulo to JNB flight ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport in July when temperatures are between 4ºC and 20ºC.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo to O.R. Tambo International Airport, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
You'll find loads of awesome things to do in Johannesburg when you're ready to go sightseeing. Make your way to Apartheid Museum followed by Top of Africa and Constitution Hill.
Explore more of South Africa
Welkom is just one of the many cities in South Africa waiting to be explored after you've experienced Johannesburg. Around 257 kilometres away to the south-west, its best attractions include Up Town Park, Voortrekker Memorial, Welkom and mandela park.
If you want to check out another major destination in South Africa, consider Newcastle, roughly 241 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg. Roman Catholic Church: Christ The King, Jaami Masjid and Newcastle Central Jungle Gym park are key highlights.