Amsterdam to Cape Verde is a classic Dutch winter-sun run, and the good news is you can fly it non-stop in about six and a half hours. Sal (SID) is the main gateway, served mostly as a seasonal leisure route from Schiphol. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book for the best price.
Route: Amsterdam (AMS) → Sal, Cape Verde (SID)
Distance: approximately 4,650 km (2,890 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 6h 20m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — and the cheap ones are easier to find than the page-level advice suggests: in our fare data easyJet carried almost every cheap non-stop from Schiphol at €220–€254, with Transavia alongside it at €240–€251 and TUI fly Netherlands also running a winter-season programme. One-stop options via Lisbon are available year-round but cost more than double: €462–€582.
Fares from Amsterdam to Cape Verde (EUR)
Cape Verde is warm all year, so demand tracks the European calendar rather than the local weather: the busiest and priciest weeks are the winter sun-seeking season (November–March) and the Christmas and Easter holidays. Late spring and early autumn are the quietest and cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros for the non-stop service.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high (winter sun) |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | medium (Easter) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (summer holidays) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | high |
| December | — | very high (Christmas) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the non-stops sit in a tight band at €220–€254 with a median of €220. So a fare at €220 is the going rate rather than a find, and there is nothing below it to wait for — if you see the low two-twenties, that is the market. The connecting alternative through Lisbon is a different tier entirely at €462–€582, and KLM’s connections €584–€595. These are leisure fares, so the best prices appear when the seasonal programme goes on sale.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 6½ hours):
- Transavia — non-stop Schiphol → Sal, several flights a week through the winter schedule (October–March), with an extra rotation around Christmas and spring.
- TUI fly Netherlands — non-stop to Sal, largely a package-holiday programme but seats are sold flight-only too.
One-stop (year-round, sometimes cheaper):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon — the reliable connecting option when the non-stops aren’t flying or are sold out; useful outside the winter season.
Because the non-stops are seasonal leisure flights, they’re usually the cheapest when they operate. Outside the winter programme, a one-stop through Lisbon is often the only choice — check dates carefully, as frequencies thin out in late spring and summer.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the winter season; the best leisure fares go early and the cheap seats sell out first.
- Avoid Christmas, New Year and Easter — these are the peak weeks and the most expensive by a wide margin.
- Travel in May, June or September for the lowest fares; the islands are still warm and far quieter.
- Watch which island you’re booking: Sal (SID) is the main non-stop gateway, but Boa Vista (BVC) is also a popular resort island — make sure the airport matches your hotel.
- Check the bag allowance: the lowest leisure “light” fares may not include a checked bag, so compare the all-in price before booking.
Arriving in Cape Verde
Non-stop flights land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal, in the north of the island near Espargos. Most visitors head to the beach resorts around Santa Maria, about 18 km south — a taxi takes around 15–20 minutes and costs roughly €15–€25 (agree the fare first, or use your hotel transfer). Cape Verde requires an entry fee (the EASE airport security tax, around €30) for most visitors, which you can pay online in advance. The local currency is the Cape Verdean escudo, pegged to the euro, and euros are widely accepted at resorts.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Cape Verde?
The non-stop flight from Amsterdam to Sal takes about 6 hours 20 minutes southbound, and a little longer on the way back. A one-stop routing through Lisbon typically takes 9 to 12 hours in total, depending on the length of the connection.
Are there direct flights from Amsterdam to Cape Verde?
Yes. Transavia and TUI fly Netherlands fly non-stop from Schiphol to Sal, mainly as a winter-season leisure programme (roughly October–March, plus peak holiday weeks). Outside that season, the main alternative is a one-stop routing with TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon.
How much does it cost to fly from Amsterdam to Cape Verde?
A typical non-stop economy return runs about €220–€254, median €220, with the whole sample spanning €220–€595. Connecting fares through Lisbon or Amsterdam’s full-service carriers run €462–€595. The Christmas and winter-sun peaks sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Amsterdam to Cape Verde?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at €220. Avoid December, the New Year and Easter, which are the busiest and most expensive weeks on the route.
Which airlines fly from Amsterdam to Cape Verde?
Non-stop to Sal (SID): easyJet carried the great majority of the cheap fares we found, at €220–€254, with Transavia at €240–€251 and TUI fly Netherlands also operating, mostly in the winter season. One-stop: TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon (€462–€582) and KLM (€584–€595), which run year-round and are the usual choice when the direct flights aren’t operating — but expect to pay roughly double the direct fare.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
Non-stop flights land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal island, the country’s main international gateway. If your holiday is on Boa Vista, check whether you’re flying into Boa Vista (BVC) instead — the two islands are served separately.
How far in advance should I book Amsterdam to Cape Verde flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead, especially for the winter season and any holiday week. Because the non-stops are a limited seasonal programme, the cheapest seats sell out early and prices rise as departure approaches.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes. Midweek departures tend to price a little lower than Friday–Sunday, and being flexible by a day or two around the fixed weekly non-stop schedule can save €20–€50 on a return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
