Dublin to Cape Verde is one of Ireland’s classic winter-sun escapes — six hours south to guaranteed warmth on the island of Sal. In the winter season TUI Ireland runs direct charter flights as part of its package holidays, so a non-stop is possible; outside those dates, or if you want a flexible flight-only fare, the reliable routing is one-stop through Lisbon. This guide covers the honest picture, what a fair return costs in euro, and when to book.
Route: Dublin (DUB) → Sal, Cape Verde (SID)
Distance: approximately 4,300 km (2,670 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 6 hours (seasonal charter)
Direct flights: Seasonally. TUI Ireland operates direct charter flights from Dublin to Sal in the winter-sun season, mainly as package holidays; there is no year-round scheduled non-stop. Flexible flight-only travellers usually connect one-stop via Lisbon.
Fares from Dublin to Sal (EUR)
Cape Verde is a year-round warm destination, but Irish demand peaks in the winter-sun months (roughly November to March), when the direct charters run and the archipelago offers dependable heat while Ireland is cold. Summer is quieter and can be cheaper for one-stop fares. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | high (winter sun) |
| February | high (mid-term break) |
| March | medium-high |
| April | medium (Easter varies) |
| May | low-medium |
| June | low |
| July | medium (school holidays) |
| August | medium (school holidays) |
| September | low |
| October | medium (mid-term break) |
| November | medium-high (season starts) |
| December | very high (Christmas) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a strong return to Sal lands around €180–€260, a typical fair price is roughly €280, and anything under about €200 is an excellent price worth booking on the spot. The lowest fares are usually the seasonal direct charters and off-peak one-stops; Christmas and mid-term breaks sit well above.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (seasonal, about 6 hours):
- TUI Ireland — direct charter flights from Dublin to Sal in the winter-sun season, sold mainly as package holidays; the fastest and simplest way to reach the island when it’s running.
One-stop (year-round, flexible):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon — the mainstay connection, with the shortest total times (often under 7 hours door to door) and year-round availability.
- Other European one-stops — itineraries via a second European hub appear on some dates, but Lisbon is almost always the quickest and best-value routing.
If your dates fall inside the winter charter programme, the TUI Ireland non-stop is the easy choice. For flexible, flight-only travel — especially in summer — a one-stop via Lisbon on TAP is the dependable option.
When to book & how to save
- Book early for winter sun: the direct charter seats and best package prices for November to March go quickly, so book 3–5 months ahead for the peak weeks.
- Consider the shoulders: May, June and September are warm, quieter and often the cheapest for flight-only travel via Lisbon.
- Avoid Christmas and mid-term breaks if you want the lowest fare — these are the busiest and most expensive dates.
- Package vs. flight-only: when the charter is running, a package can undercut a separate flight and hotel; when it isn’t, price a one-stop via Lisbon and book the hotel yourself.
- Check the entry rules and bag allowance: Cape Verde charges an airport security/tourist fee, and the cheapest fares may not include a checked bag — compare the all-in price.
Arriving in Sal
Flights land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on the island of Sal, a short hop from the main resort town of Santa Maria in the south. Most package travellers use a pre-booked transfer (around 20–30 minutes to Santa Maria). A taxi from the rank costs roughly €20–€30 to the resort strip; agree the fare before setting off, as meters are uncommon. Aluguer shared minibuses are the cheap local option if you’re travelling light.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dublin to Sal?
The seasonal TUI Ireland direct charter takes about 6 hours non-stop. A one-stop itinerary via Lisbon on TAP Air Portugal typically runs 7 to 10 hours in total, depending on the connection time in Lisbon.
Are there direct flights from Dublin to Cape Verde?
Seasonally, yes. TUI Ireland operates direct charter flights from Dublin to Sal in the winter-sun season, mostly as package holidays. There is no year-round scheduled non-stop, so outside those dates — and for flexible flight-only travel — you connect one-stop, usually via Lisbon.
How much does it cost to fly from Dublin to Cape Verde?
A typical economy return runs about €240–€480 depending on the season. The best deals dip to around €180–€260 off-peak, while the Christmas and mid-term winter-sun weeks sit toward the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Dublin to Sal?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid Christmas, New Year and the Irish mid-term breaks, which are the busiest and most expensive dates for this winter-sun route.
Which airlines fly from Dublin to Cape Verde?
Non-stop, in season: TUI Ireland charter flights to Sal. Year-round and flexible: TAP Air Portugal one-stop via Lisbon, which offers the shortest connecting times. Lisbon is almost always the quickest and best-value routing when the charter isn’t flying.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
For the main resort island you’ll land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal, close to Santa Maria. Cape Verde has other airports (including Boa Vista), so check which island your holiday is on before booking transfers.
How far in advance should I book Dublin to Cape Verde flights?
For the winter-sun peak (November to March), book 3 to 5 months ahead — the direct charter seats and best package prices sell out early. For off-peak flight-only travel via Lisbon, 1 to 3 months ahead is usually enough to secure a good fare.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures can be a little cheaper than weekends on the one-stop routings. Charter dates are more fixed, so there’s less flexibility there; if you’re booking flight-only via Lisbon, shifting a day or two either side of the weekend save a little on a return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
