Cape Verde is a cluster of Atlantic islands off West Africa — year-round winter sun about six hours from the UK, with Sal and Boa Vista the main beach gateways. You can fly non-stop from Gatwick with TUI, or connect through Lisbon on a scheduled airline. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in pounds, and how to book.
Route: London (LGW) → Cape Verde — Sal (SID) and Boa Vista (BVC)
Distance: approximately 4,300 km (2,700 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 6h 00m – 6h 15m outbound
Direct flights: Yes — and the cheap one is not the one usually named: easyJet flies Gatwick to Sal non-stop at £186–£210 and carried seven in ten of the cheapest fares. TUI also flies non-stop from Gatwick to Sal and Boa Vista, but was £650–£718 when we checked. One-stop options via Lisbon are also available, and via Milan from £174.
Fares from London to Cape Verde (GBP)
Cape Verde is a winter-sun destination, so its peak is the UK’s cold season: fares are highest from November to March and over the Christmas, February half-term and Easter holidays. The islands stay warm all year, so the quieter late spring and summer months are the cheapest time to fly. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds; TUI’s seat-only sales and Lisbon connections produce the lowest prices.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high (winter sun) |
| February | — | high (half-term) |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | medium (Easter) |
| May | — | low |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (summer holidays) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | medium (half-term) |
| November | — | high (season starts) |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write (London–Sal), the market sits far lower than usually quoted: the floor is £174 and the median £203. So a return around £200 is the going rate rather than a find, and a genuinely good one is under about £190. The three-figure sums above £300 are what the Lisbon connection costs (£330–£475), and TUI’s non-stop was higher still at £650–£718. The lowest fares we found were easyJet’s Gatwick direct and connections through Milan.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 6 hours):
- TUI Airways — non-stop from Gatwick to both Sal and Boa Vista, typically a couple of days a week to each island; also flies from several UK regional airports.
One-stop (via Lisbon, sometimes cheaper, about 9–13 hours total):
- TAP Air Portugal — connects London to Sal, Boa Vista and the capital, Praia, over its Lisbon hub; the main scheduled option and often flexible on dates.
- Cabo Verde Airlines — the national carrier, useful for Lisbon connections and for island-hopping once you arrive.
TUI’s non-stop is the fastest and simplest way in, and is geared toward package holidays; a Lisbon connection can be cheaper or more flexible on travel dates, and is the way to reach Praia and the greener islands. Compare the all-in price, including bags, before you decide.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice, and earlier for the winter-sun peak when seats sell out.
- Travel in late spring or early autumn (May, June, September) for the lowest fares — the islands are still warm and far quieter.
- Avoid the peaks: Christmas, February half-term and Easter are the priciest and busiest, as most UK visitors come for winter sun.
- Watch TUI’s seat-only sales and consider a Lisbon connection with TAP if the non-stop looks expensive or your dates are fixed.
- Check checked-bag rules: TUI includes a generous baggage allowance on many holiday fares, but the cheapest seat-only tickets may charge for a hold bag — compare the all-in price.
Arriving in Cape Verde
Most UK visitors land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal or Aristídes Pereira International (BVC) on Boa Vista — both are small, resort-focused airports. On Sal, the beach town of Santa Maria is about 18 km south; a taxi or pre-booked transfer runs roughly £12–£20. On Boa Vista, the resorts around Sal Rei are a short hop from the airport, typically £10–£15 by taxi. Cape Verde uses the escudo (pegged to the euro), and euros are widely accepted at resorts — carry a little local cash for taxis and tips, and agree the fare before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Cape Verde?
Non-stop flights take about 6 hours from London Gatwick to Sal or Boa Vista. A one-stop routing via Lisbon typically takes 9 to 13 hours in total, depending on the length of the connection at Lisbon.
Are there direct flights from London to Cape Verde?
Yes. TUI Airways flies non-stop from London Gatwick to both Sal and Boa Vista, and from several UK regional airports too. If you want more date flexibility or a lower fare, TAP Air Portugal connects via Lisbon to Sal, Boa Vista and the capital, Praia.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Cape Verde?
A typical economy return runs about £194–£330, median £203, with the easyJet directs spanning £186–£210 and connections through Milan from £174. The Lisbon connection is £330–£475 and TUI’s non-stop £650–£718. The Christmas and half-term peaks push above all of these.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Cape Verde?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at £174 on a connection and £186 non-stop. The islands stay warm year-round, so these quieter months offer the same sunshine for less. Avoid December, February half-term and Easter, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Cape Verde?
Non-stop to Sal: easyJet from Gatwick (£186–£210, seven in ten of the cheapest fares) and TUI Airways from Gatwick (£650–£718), which also flies to Boa Vista. One-stop, cheapest first: Ryanair from Stansted via Milan (£174, the floor), Wizz Air from Luton via Milan (£174–£185) and TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon (£330–£475). Cabo Verde Airlines also connects via Lisbon and, like TAP, serves Praia, which is useful for reaching the other islands; it did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. These figures are to Sal — Praia and Boa Vista may price differently.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
It depends on your island. UK non-stops serve Sal (SID) and Boa Vista (BVC), the two main beach destinations. The capital, Praia, has its own airport (RAI) on Santiago island, usually reached via a Lisbon connection or an internal flight.
How far in advance should I book London to Cape Verde flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead, and earlier for the November–March winter-sun peak, when non-stop seats sell out. Fares climb as departure approaches, particularly around Christmas, February half-term and Easter, so booking early is usually best.
Is Cape Verde one destination or several islands?
Cape Verde is a country made up of ten islands. Most UK holidaymakers head to Sal or Boa Vista for their beaches and resorts; others such as Santiago (Praia) and São Vicente are greener and more cultural, and are best reached with a Lisbon connection or a short internal flight once you arrive.
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.
