Lisbon is the natural European gateway to Cape Verde, and the flagship island of Sal is a straightforward non-stop hop of a little over four hours. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and when to book to land the beaches for less.
Route: Lisbon (LIS) → Sal, Cape Verde (Amilcar Cabral International, SID)
Distance: approximately 2,800 km (1,740 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 4h 05m – 4h 20m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — TAP Air Portugal, Cabo Verde Airlines and easyJet all fly non-stop from Lisbon to Sal.
Fares from Lisbon to Cape Verde (EUR)
Cape Verde is a year-round beach destination, so fares track European holiday demand rather than the local climate, which stays warm and dry all year. The pricey weeks are the winter-sun peak (December through Easter) and the Portuguese summer holidays; the quietest, cheapest windows are late spring and early autumn. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros — the cheapest are usually TAP or easyJet promotional fares booked well ahead.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | medium (Easter) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | low-medium |
| July | — | high (school holidays) |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, easyJet’s fares sit in a tight band at €196–€209 return, median €207 — so around €205 is the going rate rather than a find, and a fare under about €200 is a genuinely good one. There is nothing below the mid-one-nineties to wait for. TAP runs €273–€358 and Cabo Verde Airlines €311–€391, both including more. The very lowest “light” fares may not include a checked bag, so compare the all-in price for a beach holiday.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 4¼ hours):
- TAP Air Portugal — the most frequent operator, with daily-ish service and easy connections onward from Lisbon.
- Cabo Verde Airlines — the national carrier of Cape Verde; fewer weekly flights but a strong on-time record on the route.
- easyJet — low-cost non-stops from Lisbon, often the cheapest headline fare when booked early.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper on off-peak dates):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon from other Portuguese and European cities — useful if you are connecting rather than starting in Lisbon.
Because three carriers compete non-stop, there is rarely any reason to take a connection from Lisbon itself — the direct flight is both the fastest and usually the best value.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–3 months ahead for the winter-sun and summer peaks; the cheapest TAP and easyJet seats sell first.
- Travel in May–June or September–October for the lowest fares — the weather is still hot and dry, but European demand drops away.
- Avoid Christmas, New Year and Easter, the busiest and priciest weeks of the year.
- Check the bag rules: easyJet and TAP’s cheapest fares may be cabin-only, so add a checked bag when you compare — a week on the beach usually needs one.
- Fly midweek where you can; Tuesday–Thursday departures are often a little cheaper than weekend ones.
Arriving in Cape Verde
Flights land at Amilcar Cabral International (SID) on the island of Sal, near the town of Espargos. The airport is small and quick to clear; note that a tourist entry fee (the TSA airport security tax) applies and is usually paid online before travel. Most visitors head to the resort town of Santa Maria, about 20 km south — a taxi runs roughly €18–€25 and takes around 20 minutes, while hotel transfers and shared minibuses are cheaper. If your holiday is on another island such as Boa Vista or São Vicente, you will connect on a short domestic hop.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Lisbon to Cape Verde?
The non-stop flight from Lisbon to Sal takes about 4 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes southbound. The return leg to Lisbon is a similar length. Cape Verde is only one hour behind Lisbon time, so there is effectively no jet lag on this route.
Are there direct flights from Lisbon to Cape Verde?
Yes. TAP Air Portugal, Cabo Verde Airlines and easyJet all fly non-stop from Lisbon to Sal (SID). Between them there are around a dozen or more departures a week, so you can almost always find a direct flight on your preferred dates without needing a connection.
How much does it cost to fly from Lisbon to Cape Verde?
A typical economy return runs about €196–€209 on easyJet, median €207, with the whole sample spanning €196–€391. TAP runs €273–€358 and Cabo Verde Airlines €311–€391. The Christmas and summer peaks sit toward the top of that range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Lisbon to Cape Verde?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at €196. Cape Verde stays warm and dry all year, so these shoulder months give you beach weather without the peak-season price.
Which airlines fly from Lisbon to Cape Verde?
Three airlines fly the route non-stop: easyJet carried four in five of the cheap fares we found, at €196–€209; TAP Air Portugal, the most frequent operator, runs €273–€358; and Cabo Verde Airlines, the national carrier, €311–€391. TAP also connects passengers from other cities through its Lisbon hub.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
You land at Amilcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal island, the main international gateway for Cape Verde. For holidays on Boa Vista, Santiago or São Vicente you take a short domestic connection, though some resorts also have their own direct European flights.
How far in advance should I book Lisbon to Cape Verde flights?
Aim to book 2 to 3 months ahead, and earlier for Christmas, New Year, Easter and the summer holidays. The cheapest easyJet and TAP seats go first, and fares to a single-airport island destination tend to climb steadily as departure nears.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday. Being flexible by a day or two, and mixing a weekday outbound with a weekday return, is one of the easiest ways to trim the fare on this route.
Do I need a visa or entry fee for Cape Verde?
Most European visitors do not need a visa for short stays, but Cape Verde charges an airport security tax (TSA) that is normally paid online before you travel. It is a small fixed fee per passenger — sort it in advance to avoid queues on arrival at Sal.
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.
