Find the cheapest flights from London to Sao Paulo in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Sao Paulo (GRU)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 13h 30m – 18h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €720 | high |
| February | €780 | high |
| March | €580 | medium |
| April | €520 | medium |
| May | €380 | low |
| June | €360 | low |
| July | €480 | medium |
| August | €520 | medium |
| September | €380 | low |
| October | €450 | medium |
| November | €360 | low |
| December | €680 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- British Airways (direct): from €620 — BA offers free seat selection 24 hours before departure for Avios holders. Check ba.com for package deals combining flight + hotel which can reduce overall cost by 10-15%.
- LATAM Airlines (direct): from €580 — LATAM often releases discounted promo fares 2-3 months ahead. Subscribe to their Brazil-specific newsletter for flash sales. Use Multi-City booking to add a stopover in Santiago for potentially lower prices.
- TAP Air Portugal (connecting): from €420 — Lisbon connection typically offers shortest indirect route (13h 30m total). Book Plus fare even if you don’t need the bag – the difference often equals checked bag cost on other airlines.
- Air France (connecting): from €480 — Air France often has sales in January and September. Their flexible fare allows date changes without fee – useful if Brazilian weather disrupts travel plans.
- KLM (connecting): from €460 — KLM’s Amsterdam-Sao Paulo frequencies are high in summer. Use KLM’s ‘Discover’ feature to see if flying a day earlier/later saves significantly.
Booking Strategy
For London to Sao Paulo, the sweet spot for booking is 6-10 weeks ahead, with Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically €50-100 cheaper than weekend flights. Direct flights (British Airways, LATAM) are most expensive at €550-750, while connecting routes via Lisbon, Paris, or Amsterdam start around €350-450. May, June, September, and November offer the lowest prices (€350-450 return) as they fall outside both European and Brazilian peak seasons. Avoid February (Carnival) and December-February (Brazilian summer) when prices jump to €700-850. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ feature to compare routes, but book directly with the airline for better customer service on this long-haul route. Portuguese citizens should consider TAP for easier connections; Brazilian visa requirements apply to UK passport holders – factor in €80 visa cost when comparing total trip price.
Route Tips
- British Airways flights depart from Terminal 5 at Heathrow – allow 3 hours for check-in on long-haul and use Fast Track security if eligible. LATAM operates from Terminal 3.
- Brazilian tourist visa (£80, valid for 90 days) is required for UK passport holders – apply via VFS Global at least 4 weeks before departure. Business visa allows stays up to 5 years.
- GRU Airport has excellent connectivity: download the 99 App before arrival for reliable rideshares. Avoid airport taxis touts – use official taxi stands inside terminal.
- If flying TAP via Lisbon, you can request a 72-hour visa-free stopover in Portugal – effectively two destinations in one trip.
- January-February brings heavy rains and humidity to Sao Paulo; May-September is drier and more comfortable for sightseeing. Pack accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Sao Paulo?
The direct flight from London Heathrow to Sao Paulo Guarulhos takes approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes. British Airways and LATAM operate direct services. If booking connecting flights, expect 13h 30m (via Lisbon with TAP) up to 18 hours (via other European hubs). The shortest indirect routes are via Lisbon (13h 30m) or Paris/Amsterdam (14-15h). Early morning departures from LHR typically result in shorter total travel times due to better connection bank schedules in Europe.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Sao Paulo?
Return flights range from €300 (off-season, connecting, basic fare) to €850 (peak season, direct, flexible ticket). The average return price is €500-600. Direct flights with British Airways or LATAM typically cost €550-750 return. Connecting options via TAP, Air France, KLM, or Iberia start around €380-500. The cheapest period runs from May to June and September to November when prices drop to €350-450 return. February (Carnival) and December see the highest prices at €700-850. Always factor in the £80 Brazilian visa fee when budgeting.
Are there direct flights from London to Sao Paulo?
Yes, direct flights are available from London Heathrow operated by British Airways and LATAM Airlines. Both airlines offer daily departures, with BA typically operating morning flights and LATAM offering afternoon departures. Flight time is approximately 11h 30m. No other London airport currently offers direct service to Sao Paulo – Gatwick connections require at least one stop. If you prefer to avoid the long-haul direct, connecting options via European hubs (Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid) are widely available with journey times of 13-18 hours.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Sao Paulo?
May and June offer the cheapest flights, with average return prices of €360-380. November is similarly affordable at €360-400. These months fall between Brazil’s summer peak (December-February) and the European summer holiday rush (July-August). September also provides excellent value at €380-420. The most expensive period is February during Carnival (€780+), followed by December holiday peak at €680. If your schedule is flexible, targeting late May or early June can yield the best deals, often below €350 return on connecting flights.
Which airlines fly from London to Sao Paulo?
Direct operators are British Airways and LATAM Airlines (both daily). Connecting carriers include TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon), Air France (via Paris), KLM (via Amsterdam), Iberia (via Madrid), and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt/Munich). LATAM tends to offer the most competitive direct pricing, while TAP provides the fastest connection via Lisbon at 13h 30m total. Budget carriers do not serve this route. All mentioned airlines include at least 1 x 23kg checked bag except TAP’s basic fare – always verify baggage allowance before booking.
What airport do I fly into in Sao Paulo?
You will arrive at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), located 25km north of downtown Sao Paulo. GRU is Brazil’s busiest international gateway with two terminals connected by free shuttle buses. Transport options: executive bus ( Airport Bus Service) costs R$50 (€9) and takes 50-60 minutes to Paulista/Republica; taxi (app-based like 99 or conventional) costs R$100-130 (€18-23) and takes 40-50 minutes depending on traffic; rideshare is widely available at Terminal 3 arrivals. For connecting to domestic flights, allow 2+ hours as GRU is massive – consider arriving at least 3 hours before domestic connections.
How far in advance should I book London to Sao Paulo flights?
For this route, book 6-10 weeks ahead for optimal pricing. Airlines typically release their cheapest seats 8-12 weeks before departure, and these sell quickly on popular dates. Booking too early (5+ months) often results in higher prices as airlines haven’t activated their discount fare buckets. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) can occasionally yield deals if airlines have unsold inventory, but expect to pay premium prices during peak periods. For Carnival and Christmas, book 3-4 months ahead minimum. Use fare alerts starting 12 weeks before your target date and book when you see 15%+ drop from average pricing.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Sao Paulo on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are significantly cheaper on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures save €50-120 compared to Friday or Sunday returns. The difference is most pronounced during off-peak months (May-June, September-November) when economy seats are more available. Weekend departures command a premium because Brazilian diaspora in the UK travel heavily on weekends, particularly Sundays. If possible, depart London on a Tuesday/Wednesday and return mid-week. Red-eye returns (Monday night) can also offer savings. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Cheapest month’ feature to identify the cheapest day combination for your specific travel window.
Data updated: 2026-03
