Flying from Sao Paulo to San Diego: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from 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 San Diego.
Touch down at San Diego International Airport (SAN), the primary gateway of San Diego.
San Diego's timezone is UTC-7, which makes San Diego four hours behind Sao Paulo.
To ensure you board your Sao Paulo to San Diego flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to San Diego
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap Sao Paulo to San Diego flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your plane ticket from Sao Paulo to San Diego.
Finding a cheap flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Sao Paulo to San Diego flights.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
We make it simple to find a Sao Paulo to San Diego flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Travelling from central Sao Paulo to GRU takes around 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport:
Of the departures from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, 75.54% land on time at their destination.
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
VCP is about 80 kilometres from central Sao Paulo. It'll take you 1 hour 15 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 3 hours 25 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego? Check in to a hotel near Viracopos Airport before your break officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
75% of all departures from Viracopos Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately 5 kilometres from the centre of San Diego. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 10 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 20 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near SAN if you're coming in on a late flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Grab a San Diego International Airport rental car and discover San Diego and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Dollar and Budget are popular outlets to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from San Diego International Airport about two weeks ahead of your Sao Paulo to San Diego flight.
SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is around 48 kilometres from central San Diego. Once you've disembarked your flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego, it'll take you approximately 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 2 hours 15 minutes or so.
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the availability and rates from Budget, Hertz and Avis.
Typically, the earlier you book, the better the deals and choice of vehicles. Secure your ride from CLD as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Sao Paulo to San Diego, while July is the most popular. Find the ideal time to go to San Diego based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your Sao Paulo to San Diego ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
February has average temperatures of between 7ºC and 23ºC. Search for cheap flights from Sao Paulo to San Diego around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about San Diego
Start your San Diego trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo to San Diego, explore our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are major attractions which should be on every San Diego itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've seen San Diego. Around 177 kilometres to the north-west, its top attractions include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Around 483 kilometres east of San Diego, Phoenix is another essential stop in United States. Start your sightseeing at Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park.