Cape Verde is Vienna’s easiest reach for guaranteed winter sun without crossing a dozen time zones, and there is a genuine seasonal direct option: TUI runs a non-stop charter to Sal on Fridays through the winter, flying the Atlantic in about seven hours. Outside that window, or for more date flexibility, you connect once through a European hub. Which hub matters enormously for the price: checking every return fare on sale, low-cost connections run €274–€359 while the scheduled Lisbon routing runs €538–€1,412. This guide covers the real routings, what a return actually costs in euros, and when to book.
Route: Vienna (VIE) → Sal – Amílcar Cabral (SID), Cape Verde
Distance: approximately 5,300 km (3,300 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 6h 30m – 7h on the seasonal direct charter
Direct flights: Yes, seasonally — TUI operates a non-stop winter charter from Vienna to Sal (typically Fridays); charter seats are often sold as part of a package rather than as a standalone fare. Year-round, one-stop routings connect via Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal) or other European hubs — in our fare data the cheapest of those were low-cost connections at €274–€359.
Fares from Vienna to Cape Verde (EUR)
Cape Verde is a winter-sun destination, so demand and the direct charter both peak from November to March, when the islands are warm and dry while Europe is cold. The seasonal charter to Sal is frequently the cheapest way over — it is priced for the package market — while summer travel usually means a one-stop connection at a higher fare. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | high |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (summer) |
| August | — | medium (summer) |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | high |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the floor is €274 and the median €317, so a typical fair price is roughly €300 and a return under about €290 is a genuinely good one. Those cheap fares are low-cost connections on Ryanair (€274–€359) and easyJet (from €294) — not the charter, and not TAP, whose Lisbon routing runs €538–€1,412. Because these are separate low-cost tickets, check the connection time and the baggage rules before booking; a missed link is your own problem on a self-connect.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (seasonal, about 6h 30m – 7h):
- TUI — the winter charter from Vienna direct to Sal, typically on Fridays; the fastest and often the cheapest way over during the season.
One-stop (year-round, usually via Europe):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon — the most reliable scheduled connection, with the widest choice of dates to Sal and other Cape Verde islands.
- Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Group partners — Vienna feeder flights connecting onward to a European gateway for the Atlantic sector.
- Other European carriers — seasonal and connecting services via hubs such as Lisbon or Munich broaden the options in summer.
If your dates fall in winter and you can fly on the charter day, the direct TUI service is usually both the quickest and the best value. For summer travel or fixed dates, a Lisbon connection is the dependable fallback.
When to book & how to save
- Book the winter charter early: seats on the direct Sal service are limited and sell out in the November–March high season, so book 2–4 months ahead.
- Consider a package: because the direct service is charter-based, a flight-plus-hotel package to Sal is often cheaper than booking the flight alone.
- Fly outside school holidays if you want the lowest fares — late January to March combines great weather with softer prices.
- Check the airport within Cape Verde: most direct service uses Sal (SID); if you are heading to Boa Vista or Santiago, you may need a connecting island hop or a different gateway.
- Mind the entry rules: Cape Verde charges an airport security tax (TSA) that is sometimes not included in the base fare — budget a small extra amount per person.
Arriving in Cape Verde
The direct flight lands at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on the island of Sal, a short drive from the main resort town of Santa Maria. A taxi to Santa Maria takes about 15–20 minutes and costs roughly €15–€20 (agree the fare before you set off, as meters are rare). Many hotels include or offer a transfer, which is the simplest option after the Atlantic crossing. Cape Verde uses the escudo, but euros are widely accepted on Sal and Boa Vista, so you rarely need to change money at the airport.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Vienna to Cape Verde?
The seasonal direct charter to Sal takes about 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours non-stop. If you travel out of season or on a one-stop routing via Lisbon, plan on roughly 9 to 13 hours in total, depending on the length of your connection.
Are there direct flights from Vienna to Cape Verde?
Yes, seasonally. TUI operates a non-stop winter charter from Vienna to Sal, usually on Fridays through the November–March high season. Outside that window there is no scheduled non-stop, so you connect once — most commonly via Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal.
How much does it cost to fly from Vienna to Cape Verde?
Across the dates we could price, returns ran €274–€359 on low-cost connections, with a median of €317. Scheduled routings through Lisbon and the Lufthansa Group hubs cost considerably more, €538–€2,177. Summer, when the winter charter is not running, sits toward the higher end.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Vienna to Cape Verde?
The winter high season — roughly late January to March — often has the cheapest fares, because the direct charter runs and competition is strongest. In the dates we could price, connecting returns started at €274. Summer months cost more since travel usually means a one-stop connection.
Which airlines fly from Vienna to Cape Verde?
TUI flies the seasonal non-stop charter to Sal. For year-round or flexible dates the cheapest fares in our data were low-cost connections on Ryanair (€274–€359), easyJet (from €294) and Jet2 (about €330). TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon is the main scheduled one-stop option at €538–€1,412, with Austrian and other Lufthansa Group partners providing the Vienna feeder to a European gateway at €744 and up.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Verde?
The direct service lands at Amílcar Cabral International (SID) on the island of Sal, the main tourist gateway. If you are visiting Boa Vista, Santiago or another island, you may need a connecting island flight or an itinerary through a different Cape Verde airport.
How far in advance should I book Vienna to Cape Verde flights?
Book 2 to 4 months ahead, especially for the winter direct charter, which has limited seats and sells out in the high season. A flight-plus-hotel package to Sal is often the cheapest route and worth pricing alongside the flight-only fare.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
The direct charter runs on a fixed day (typically Friday), so flexibility is limited on that service. On connecting itineraries via Lisbon, midweek departures are usually a little cheaper than weekends, and shifting your dates by a day or two can save €30–€70 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.
