Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines brings us today a deal from Madrid and Barcelona to São Paulo, Brazil starting at just €506. This deal includes 2x 23kg checked luggage, but requires an overnight layover in Istanbul to get the best price. You can easily turn it into a short stopover to explore the city. Departures are available from October through March 2025.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Turkish Airlines with your selected flight dates. You can also check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €40 cheaper.
Flights between Madrid and Istanbul are mostly Airbus A330 services, with 2-4-2 seating and personalized entertainment options in each seat. Barcelona sees visits from a Boeing 737-MAX9. The long flight from Istanbul to São Paulo is operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a 3-3-3 seating pattern.
Because the inbound from Brazil is scheduled to arrive very late in Istanbul (22.45), there are no short connections to Spain possible. The shortest layover results in a seven-hour-overnight stay at the airport. However, both Turkish Airlines and OTAs offer plenty of options to stay an entire day in Istanbul while just purchasing a roundtrip ticket.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, these tickets are on sale until August 12, 2024 for travel before March 2025. A minimum stay of three nights or one night from Saturday to Sunday is required to get the lowest fare. You may not stay longer than one month.
Google Flights helps you find additional flight dates. The cheapest tickets are available on Skyscanner, but booking on Turkish Airlines’ website has advantages. For example, you can partake in the Touristanbul program for free.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
Turkish Airlines issues tickets for all flight segments in booking class W. Star Alliance frequent flyers can earn the following miles & points:
- 4,124 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Destination
Information & Tips for Brazil
Brazil is probably the country in South America that is most frequented by tourists. Whether it’s the carnival or the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro or touring the Amazon, visitors will get their money’s worth here.
Traditionally, flights to South America and Brazil from Europe are quite expensive, but since a few years, there are increasingly cheap offers, especially with Iberia and TAP.
Best Time to Visit
Brazil is a vast country – so there is no such thing as an overall best travel time. It all depends on what you want to see. It is best to visit the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo autumn and spring while the dry season fort the rainforest is from May to September.
Entry & Visa
EU citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days and can enter with a passport only. Note that, similar to the USA, that after your first stop in Brazil your luggage must be collected and brought through customs. Calculate accordingly when booking a connecting flight.
Finding the Best eSIM Plan
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and Maya Mobile. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Brazil 🇧🇷 Compared
→ All Dealz for Brazil
Information & Tips for Turkey
Turkey, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a fascinating country with a rich historical and cultural heritage. From ancient ruins to vibrant markets, and stunning landscapes to delicious cuisine, Turkey offers a diverse range of experiences for travellers.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a foodie, Turkey promises a memorable journey filled with architectural wonders, warm hospitality, and a vibrant blend of East and West influences.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Turkey depends on the regions you plan to explore. The coastal areas, including popular destinations like Istanbul, Bodrum, and Antalya are best visited during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when temperatures are mild and pleasant. The summer months (July to August) can be hot and crowded in these regions, but they are ideal for beach and resort activities. Inland areas, such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale, are also best visited in spring and autumn, as summers can be scorching and winters chilly.
Visa & Entry
Visitors from many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most European nations, can enter Turkey for tourism purposes without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, it’s important to verify the visa requirements based on your nationality with the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country, as visa policies can change.
Finding the Best eSIM Plan
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and RedteaGO. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Turkey 🇹🇷 Compared
→ All Dealz for Turkey
Information & Tips for Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is an important economic and cultural center in Brazil and at the same time the most populous city in the country with 11 million inhabitants and a metropolitan region of 20 million.
The city is comparatively easy to reach from Europe, and the major hub airports are served by numerous European and Brazilian airlines. Bargains are not as common as to Rio de Janeiro, but there are still good offers.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sao Paulo is between March and May and between October and November. At this time of year, the weather is warm, and precipitation is comparatively low.
From the airport to the city
You can get a taxi for about 23€-28€. Note that Guarulhos International Airport, which serves most international flights, is located pretty far outside the city and it can take between 45 minutes and 3 hours to get to the city center depending on traffic conditions!
→ All Dealz for Sao Paulo
Information & Tips for Istanbul
Istanbul is the largest city, economical and cultural capital of modern day Turkey. While political power resides in Ankara, Istanbul is famous for its long and moved history. Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, it has been one of the most important cities of European and Oriental politics for over 2.000 years. Aside from the fact that it is split between two continents (Asia and Europe), poeple associate Istanbul with its modern day lifestyle and cultural variety. Its most famous sights are the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Best time to visit
The city is blessed with mild winters, with the average temperature hitting a bottom 8 degrees in December and January. This alternates with very hot summers. Since it is located at the conflux of the Black Sea and Aegean Sea, humidity tends to be high all year round. If you dislike hot, humid days, avoid Istanbul during the summer. Otherwise, it is a year round destination.
From the airport(s) to the city
Istanbul Int’l Airport
This brand new airport (opened in 2018) is the main hub for Turkish Airlines. All long haul flights to Istanbul arrive here. It is located on the European side of the city. It is not yet connected to Istanbul’s metro system, so buses are the only option to get to the city center by public transport. There are 18 bus lines operating to different parts of the city, taking 30-90 minutes for 2-4€.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcan Airport
This airport is home to many LCCs, mainly Pegasus Airlines. It is located on the Asia side of the city. It has no connection to Istanbul’s metro system, too. There are few bus lines operating to the city center, taking around an hour at a cost of 18TL (approx.2,30€).
→ All Dealz for Istanbul
Cover Picture: Photo by Draga Work on Unsplash