Cape Verde — the sun-soaked Atlantic islands of Sal, Boa Vista and Santiago — has no non-stop flight from Riga, but the connection is one of the easiest long-ish trips out of Latvia. The natural gateway is Lisbon: airBaltic and TAP Air Portugal both fly Riga to Lisbon non-stop, and TAP, easyJet and the local carrier continue on to the islands. This guide covers the routing, a fair return fare in euros, and when to book for the beaches.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Cape Verde — Sal (SID) / Praia (RAI) / Boa Vista (BVC)
Distance: approximately 4,700 km (2,920 miles) to Sal
Non-stop flight time: no non-stop service — one-stop via Lisbon runs about 10–13h total including the connection
Direct flights: No — no airline flies Riga to Cape Verde non-stop. The standard routing connects once in Lisbon.
Fares from Riga to Cape Verde (EUR)
Cape Verde is a year-round warm-weather destination, so demand is steadiest in the European winter (November–March), when travellers chase Atlantic sun, and again over the summer holidays. The cheapest windows tend to be the shoulder months — late spring and autumn. Because there is no non-stop, the fares below are one-stop economy returns in euros, usually routed via Lisbon.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €400 – €540 | high (winter sun) |
| February | €390 – €520 | high |
| March | €380 – €500 | medium-high |
| April | €360 – €480 | medium (Easter) |
| May | €330 – €440 | low-medium |
| June | €340 – €450 | medium (holidays start) |
| July | €380 – €500 | high (summer) |
| August | €390 – €510 | high (summer) |
| September | €330 – €440 | low-medium |
| October | €350 – €470 | medium |
| November | €380 – €500 | medium-high |
| December | €420 – €560 | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a genuinely good return lands around €240–€320, a fair typical price is roughly €380, and everyday fares often sit near €400–€480. Anything under about €350 is worth booking quickly, especially on the Lisbon routing.
Airlines on this route
No carrier flies Riga to Cape Verde non-stop. Every itinerary connects, and Lisbon is by far the most efficient point to change — the Riga–Lisbon leg and the Lisbon–islands leg are each short, well-served flights.
One-stop via Lisbon (the standard routing):
- TAP Air Portugal — flies Riga to Lisbon and then on to Sal, Praia and Boa Vista; the most seamless single-ticket option, as Lisbon is TAP’s hub for Cape Verde.
- airBaltic (Riga–Lisbon) plus an onward island leg — airBaltic’s own non-stop to Lisbon (about 4h 45m) pairs neatly with a TAP, easyJet or Cabo Verde Airlines flight to the islands.
- easyJet (Lisbon–Sal) and Cabo Verde Airlines — both operate the Lisbon–islands sector, widening the choice of onward times and prices.
Other one- or two-stop options:
- Connections via other European hubs (for example Amsterdam, Frankfurt or a second Portuguese city) can appear on comparison sites, but they are usually slower and rarely cheaper than the clean Lisbon routing.
For the smoothest trip, book a single Lisbon-routed ticket; splitting airBaltic to Lisbon and a separate island leg can be cheaper but leaves you responsible for the connection.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the winter-sun and summer peaks; the December holidays in particular sell out early and fares climb close to departure.
- Travel in the shoulder months (May, September–October) for the lowest fares and still-excellent island weather.
- Route via Lisbon — it is almost always the cheapest and fastest way through, and pairs a short airBaltic or TAP hop with a short island leg.
- Watch the connection time — a comfortable Lisbon layover protects you if the first leg is delayed; a self-connected split ticket does not.
- Check bags carefully — easyJet’s Lisbon–islands fares and TAP’s cheapest “discount” tickets may not include hold luggage, so compare the all-in price before booking.
Arriving in Cape Verde
Most travellers land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal, the main tourist gateway, though Praia (RAI) on Santiago and Boa Vista (BVC) also take international flights. On Sal, the resort town of Santa Maria is about 18 km south of the airport; a taxi runs roughly €10–€18 and takes around 20 minutes, while many hotels offer pre-booked transfers. Note that most visitors need to pay the Cape Verde airport security tax (TSA) online before travel, and an EES/ETIAS check does not apply here — Cape Verde is outside the Schengen area.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Cape Verde?
There is no non-stop, so plan on a one-stop journey of about 10 to 13 hours in total via Lisbon, including the connection. The Riga–Lisbon leg is roughly 4h 45m and the Lisbon–Sal leg about 4h 20m, with the layover making up the rest.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Cape Verde?
No. No airline flies Riga to Cape Verde non-stop. The standard and cheapest routing connects once in Lisbon, where TAP Air Portugal (and easyJet or Cabo Verde Airlines) continue to Sal, Praia and Boa Vista. airBaltic and TAP both fly the Riga–Lisbon leg.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Cape Verde?
A typical one-stop economy return runs about €360–€520 depending on the season. The best deals dip to around €240–€320 in the shoulder months or during sales, while the December holidays sit toward the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to Cape Verde?
May, September and October are usually the cheapest, with returns from around €330 (and the odd deal lower). Avoid the December holidays and the peak summer weeks, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Cape Verde?
All are one-stop, almost always via Lisbon: TAP Air Portugal (Riga–Lisbon–islands on one ticket), plus airBaltic on the Riga–Lisbon leg paired with TAP, easyJet or Cabo Verde Airlines onward to Sal, Praia or Boa Vista.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
Most flights land at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on Sal, the main tourist island, about 18 km from the resort town of Santa Maria. Praia (RAI) on Santiago and Boa Vista (BVC) also receive international arrivals, depending on which island you are visiting.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Cape Verde flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Fares to the islands rise close to departure, and the December holiday period sells out early, so booking ahead almost always wins. Shoulder-month travel booked a couple of months out gives the best value.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than weekend flights, and flexible dates can save €40–€100. On a Lisbon-routed ticket, checking a couple of alternative connection times can also shave the fare.
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.
