Flying from Sao Paulo to Shanghai: what you need to know
There are a couple of 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 searching for a flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are Shanghai's major entry points.
Shanghai is 11 hours ahead of Sao Paulo and follows the UTC+8 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights if you book early. Airlines often have some great early bird discounts.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Sao Paulo to Shanghai.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Sao Paulo to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
GRU is about 21 kms (13 miles) from central Sao Paulo. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
After a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Of all flights leaving Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% land on time at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
VCP is around 80 kms (50 miles) from central Sao Paulo. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 3 hours 25 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, take it easy in one of these hotels near Viracopos Airport:
75% of all departures from Viracopos Airport meet their expected arrival time.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kms (20 miles) away.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider booking a hotel close to PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Grab a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and explore parts of Shanghai that aren't in every guidebook. Find your perfect set of wheels with Hertz.
Reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks in advance to get the lowest price possible. If you're going away during a busy period, it's a good idea to book your Sao Paulo to Shanghai flight even earlier.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is about 13 kms (8 miles) from central Shanghai. Once you've hopped off your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, it takes approximately 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai:
Crank up the tunes and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz and begin discovering new places right away.
In general, the sooner you book, the bigger the savings and variety of vehicles. Secure your ride from SHA once you know your travel dates.
You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai. April is the most popular month to travel to Shanghai. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your Sao Paulo to Shanghai tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Shanghai
Start your Shanghai trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Sao Paulo to Shanghai, check out our range of hotels including:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are essential stops on your Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored after you've seen Shanghai. Around 170 miles to the west, its top attractions include Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another favourite destination in China and is around 50 miles west of Shanghai. No trip is complete without seeing Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.