Last checked: October 2026
Cabo Verde has four international airports: Sal, Boa Vista, Praia on Santiago, and Mindelo on São Vicente. Most Europeans fly direct to Sal or Boa Vista, a journey of about six hours, while travellers from other regions usually connect through Lisbon or another hub. Registering on the EASE portal before you fly is mandatory for everyone.
Safety note: the US State Department rates Cabo Verde Level 1, and the UK government lists sandstorms and rough sea conditions as travel risks. Read the US advisory and the UK travel advice before you book.
Main Airports in Cabo Verde
| Airport | Island | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Amílcar Cabral International (SID) | Sal | Beach holidays, busiest gateway |
| Aristides Pereira International (BVC) | Boa Vista | Beach resorts and dunes |
| Nelson Mandela International (RAI) | Santiago | Praia, history, onward trips to Fogo |
| Cesária Évora International (VXE) | São Vicente | Mindelo and Santo Antão |
Smaller airports on Fogo (São Filipe), Maio and São Nicolau have inter-island flights only. Santo Antão and Brava have no airport. Airport information is published by the operator, Cabo Verde Airports, which is run by Vinci Airports.
Flying From Europe and North America
- Europe: direct flights to Sal and Boa Vista run from several countries, mostly on leisure airlines, in about six hours, according to published guides.
- Via Lisbon: TAP Air Portugal and Cabo Verde Airlines connect Lisbon with the main islands, and it’s the most flexible route to São Vicente or Praia.
- North America: Cabo Verde Airlines flies from Providence, Rhode Island, to Sal, with some flights continuing to Praia, according to published route guides.
- Africa: Praia has links to Dakar and other regional cities.
Routes and operators change often, so check airline websites for the current schedule.
Getting From the Airport to Your Hotel
Taxis meet most flights. The UK government says to use only authorised taxis, which are blue and yellow on Sal and Boa Vista, or to ask your hotel to call one. Praia’s airport is about 3 km north-east of the city centre, so transfers are short. Resorts often arrange transfers, so ask before you arrive.
Inter-Island Flights
Cabo Verde Airlines operates inter-island flights with ATR 72 turboprops between Sal, Boa Vista, São Vicente, Santiago, Fogo, Maio and São Nicolau. Flights take about 25 minutes between Sal and Boa Vista and up to about an hour for the longest links. Bestfly Cabo Verde, a former operator, suspended flights in 2023. Check the current schedule before you plan a connection, because seats are limited and times change.
Ferries and Domestic Options
Ferries run by CV Interilhas connect Santiago, Fogo, Brava, São Vicente, Santo Antão and São Nicolau. São Vicente to Santo Antão takes about an hour and runs daily. Praia to Fogo takes about four to five hours and runs a few days a week. The UK government says routes to Brava and Fogo are often disrupted. See our Cabo Verde itineraries for realistic routes.
Time Zone
Cabo Verde uses UTC-1 all year, which is one hour behind Greenwich Mean Time and four hours ahead of Washington, DC, during standard time. Check the offset for your travel date, since clocks change in many other countries.
Which Route Should You Choose?
- Choose a direct flight to Sal or Boa Vista if you want beaches and your country has a direct route.
- Choose Lisbon connections if you want to reach São Vicente, Praia or Fogo with fewer inter-island steps.
- Choose Praia or Mindelo if your trip focuses on culture, history or hiking.
Booking Tips
- Compare the full journey, including baggage and any overnight stops.
- Keep a buffer of several hours between an international arrival and an inter-island flight.
- Book inter-island flights early for holidays and Carnival.
- Choose flexible tickets if your plans depend on ferries.
Before You Fly Checklist
- Complete the EASE registration at least five days before travel and keep the confirmation. See our Cabo Verde visa guide.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months after arrival.
- Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country at risk.
- Carry a notarised letter in Portuguese if a child travels without a parent.
- Buy travel insurance, and save your hotel address.
3 Quick Answers
Which airport is best for beach holidays?
Sal (SID) and Boa Vista (BVC) have the most direct leisure flights.
Can I fly to every island?
No. Santo Antão and Brava have no airport, and you reach them by ferry.
Do I need to register before I fly?
Yes. Everyone completes the EASE registration, even visa-free travellers.
Flight Deals
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Flights to Cabo Verde FAQs
How long is the flight from Europe to Cabo Verde?
About six hours on direct flights to Sal or Boa Vista, according to published guides. Connections through Lisbon take longer.
Is there a flight from the US?
Cabo Verde Airlines flies from Providence, Rhode Island, to Sal, according to published route guides. Otherwise you connect through Lisbon or another European hub.
Can winter dust affect flights?
It can. The UK government lists sandstorms as a risk, and dust haze can disrupt flights. Keep spare time around important connections.
Do I need to print my EASE confirmation?
Bring proof of confirmation, printed or saved offline, to show on arrival.
