Flying from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 13 hours 30 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is located in Sao Paulo. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is six hours ahead of Sao Paulo.
With 11 weekly flights between the two airports, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 04:05. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the latest departure from GRU to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 17:15.
Leave plenty of time to catch your GRU to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak time like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Start your journey at GRU and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That will be your arrival point when searching for Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Check out the offers from Turkish Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing for flight tickets from GRU to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
GRU is around 21 kilometres from central Sao Paulo. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to GRU:
When it comes to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport's on-time performance, 75.54% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Istanbul
The best price we've seen for a one-way Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul flight is ₹ 42,025. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 75,244. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book seven months before you travel. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from GRU to Istanbul.
November is the best month for nabbing an awesome deal on Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from GRU to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a deal gets even better.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Hit the road running by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from GRU to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your GRU to Istanbul flight:
Forget about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare availability and rates from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means better prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during peak season, but hotel prices are generally higher and attractions can get crowded. Visit Istanbul in the low season if you want a quieter vibe.
Lock in a Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from GRU to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its popular sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If there's time to check out another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are key reasons to visit.
