Flying from Sao Paulo to Chicago: what you need to know
Sao Paulo is home to two main airports where you can kick off your travels. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago flying out of Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) or Viracopos Airport (VCP).
Step off your plane in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
A direct flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago takes on average 10 hours 34 minutes. The timezone in Chicago is UTC-5, which makes it 2 hours behind Sao Paulo.
With 10 weekly flights between the two airports, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago with United Airlines at 21:45. If you're keen to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from GRU to ORD is with United Airlines at 22:20.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
You will need an embassy visa for United States if you have a passport from Brazil and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to change. So before you lock in those cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Chicago, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
Flying from Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
If you're after a direct flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, you can leave from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). Fly from GRU to O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in one continuous trip.
United Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Sao Paulo to Chicago departing from GRU.
We make it a piece of cake to plan a flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago with a stopover. To see the options departing from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Sao Paulo, GRU can be reached in about 32 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Viracopos Airport (VCP)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, check out these options when heading out from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
On public transport, you can travel from central Sao Paulo to VCP in around 3 hours and 25 minutes. The terminal is roughly 97 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Consider staying at one of these accommodation options near Viracopos Airport the day before your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago:
Arriving in Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is around 40 kilometres from central Chicago. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 35 minutes.
It typically takes 54 minutes to get there using public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near ORD:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is around 19 kilometres from central Chicago. After your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, allow for a drive time of approximately 21 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take around 46 minutes.
After your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago, kick back at a hotel near MDW. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Sao Paulo to Chicago
257 € is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Sao Paulo to Chicago. Return flights start from 484 €. These prices can change based on availability.
Book 10 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from Sao Paulo to Chicago.
Plan your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Sao Paulo to Chicago. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from looking for cheap tickets from Sao Paulo to Chicago every day.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Sao Paulo to Chicago.
Best time to go to Chicago
February is the quietest month for flights from Sao Paulo to Chicago, while August is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Chicago based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago for July if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Chicago to range from 15ºC to 29ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Sao Paulo to Chicago in January when temperatures average between -12ºC and 3ºC.
More about Chicago
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Chicago right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago and LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier are essential stops on your Chicago itinerary.
Complete your Chicago trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Sao Paulo to Chicago to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Chicago, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.
