How to Get to Cape Verde: Flights and Airports

Cape Verde is easier to reach than you might think: about six hours' direct flight from Western Europe, the archipelago has four international airports. From Europe, you either fly direct to the beach islands of Sal and Boa Vista, or via Lisbon, the hub serving every island. Once there, you hop between islands by domestic flight or ferry. The golden rule: choose your arrival airport based on your itinerary. Here is the practical guide to planning your journey.

Airport	Island	Best for
Amílcar Cabral (SID)	Sal	Beaches, water sports
Aristides Pereira (BVC)	Boa Vista	Beaches, dunes, turtles
Nelson Mandela (RAI)	Santiago	History, Praia, access to Fogo
Cesária Évora (VXE)	São Vicente	Culture, access to Santo Antão (hiking)

Cape Verde's international airports

Cape Verde has four international airports. Sal's Amílcar Cabral airport (SID) is the largest and best served: the main gateway, ideal for the beaches of Santa Maria. Boa Vista airport (BVC), near Rabil, serves the other major beach island. On Santiago, Nelson Mandela airport (RAI) serves the capital Praia and provides access to Fogo. Finally, Cesária Évora airport (VXE) on São Vicente is the gateway to Mindelo and, above all, to Santo Antão — the hiking island, which has no airport of its own.

Getting to Cape Verde from Europe

Good news: there are direct flights to Cape Verde from several European cities, mainly to the beach islands of Sal and Boa Vista, mostly with leisure airlines and taking around six hours. To reach São Vicente (the gateway to Santo Antão) or Praia, the most flexible route is via Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal, which then serves every island. Budget-wise, expect on average €300 to €600 return depending on the season.

Which airport should you choose?

Your arrival airport depends above all on your plans:

• Beaches and water sports: Sal or Boa Vista.

• Hiking on Santo Antão: São Vicente, then the ferry to Porto Novo.

• History, the capital and access to Fogo: Praia.

If you are combining several islands, you can arrive at one airport and leave from another — something a local agency can easily arrange. To help you decide, read which island to choose in Cape Verde.

Travelling between the islands: flights and ferries

Once in the archipelago, two options connect the islands. First, the plane: domestic flights, mainly with Cabo Verde Airlines and BestFly, link the main islands via the Praia hub, at around €60 to €120 per leg. Then the ferry, slower but cheaper: the essential route is Mindelo–Porto Novo, reaching Santo Antão in about an hour. Note that ferry schedules can vary with sea conditions. For the full picture, see our guide getting around Cape Verde.

Formalities before departure

Before boarding, one step is mandatory for everyone: online pre-registration on the EASE platform (ease.gov.cv), at least five days before departure, with payment of an airport security tax of about €31. Also make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Good to know: online check-in is often unavailable for flights departing Cape Verde — arrive at the airport well in advance. Full details in our guide budget and formalities.

When should you book your flight?

Prices vary widely with the season. High season — December, July and August — pushes fares up, while the shoulder season (March, May, November) offers the best deals. Book early, especially around school holidays. To pick the ideal period weather-wise, see our guide when to visit Cape Verde.

Frequently asked questions

How many international airports does Cape Verde have?

Four: Sal (Amílcar Cabral), Boa Vista (Rabil), Praia (Nelson Mandela) and São Vicente (Cesária Évora).

Are there direct flights to Cape Verde?

Yes, mainly from several European cities to Sal and Boa Vista, in around six hours. Other routes usually go via Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal.

How long is the flight to Cape Verde?

Around six hours non-stop from Western Europe. Via Lisbon, allow about 3.5 hours between Portugal and Cape Verde.

Which airport should I choose in Cape Verde?

Sal or Boa Vista for beaches, São Vicente for hiking on Santo Antão, Praia for Santiago and Fogo.

How do you travel between the islands of Cape Verde?

By domestic flight (Cabo Verde Airlines, BestFly) or by ferry. Expect €60 to €120 per flight; the ferry is cheaper but schedules depend on the sea.

How do you get to Santo Antão?

Santo Antão has no airport: you first fly to São Vicente, then take the ferry from Mindelo to Porto Novo (about one hour).

Plan your arrival with a local agency

How do you get to Cape Verde? Direct flight or via Lisbon, beaches or hiking, one island or several: reaching and exploring Cape Verde is easy to plan with the right information. As a 100% local agency, Actour arranges your airport transfers and inter-island connections, and guides you through the formalities. Contact our team for a turnkey trip, and discover our Cape Verde hiking tours.

Need help planning your arrival and inter-island flights? ✨ Build your tailor-made trip in 2 minutes with our AI assistant — or discover our guided tours with our local team.