How to Get to Cape Verde
TRAVELLING BY AIR
Without a doubt the best way to get to Cape Verde is by air. At only 5.5 hours away from England, it is no wonder these beautiful islands have been nicknamed 'The Caribbean without the jetlag'!.
The main Cape Verde international airport is AEROPORTO INTERNACIONAL “AMÍLCAR CABRAL” on Sal. There are also two new international airports which have recently started operating: in Praia on Santiago island and on Boavista island.
Sal airport is a mile (1.6km) south of the town of Espargos in central Sal, taxis are available for transport to hotels and towns throughout the island, but are expensive compared to the public 'aluguers' (shared taxis). Aluguers and car rental are also available. Airport facilities include: post office, bank, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, VIP lounge, duty-free shop, newsagent/tobacconist, gift shop, travel agent, and tourist help desk. To contact the airport: TEL: (+238) 41 13 72, FAX: (+238) 4115 70.
AIRLINE COMPANIES FLYING TO CAPE VERDE
TACV
The national carrier of the Cape Verde islands is TACV (Transportes Aereo de Cabo Verde), which have finalised the winter timetable 2007/2008. TACV has recently introduced weekly direct flights to the Cape Verdes from London Stansted:
- Mondays see flights from London Stansted to Praia on Santiago island.
- Thursdays see flights from London Stansted to Sal.
Both flights will then continue on to Fortaleza, Brazil. Prices start from £450 return.
The first flight to Praia International Airport set off on the 29th of October 2007 while the London Stansted-Sal route commenced on the 1st of November 2007.
TACV has also increased their direct flights to other existing routes such as Lisbon (favoured location as flights are more frequent), Amsterdam, Paris, Fortaleza, Munich, Boston and has began flying from Rome (Fiumicino) and Las Palmas to Sal. These routes may be more attractive to travellers from outside the London and Manchester Airport area, but mostly involve at least 1 overnight. Prices start at around £500 return total.
There are also daily direct flights to Praia International Airport on Santiago Island from Lisbon and weekly direct flights from Amsterdam and Paris.
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
TAP air Portugal has scheduled flight from:
- London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Sal via Lisbon starting at around £500/550 return inc. airport tax.
- Manchester via London and Lisbon to Sal starting at around £770.
Of course, a budget airline from UK to Lisbon should also be considered. TAP flies also to Praia on Santiago Island from Lisbon from about £390 return. Bookings can be made online with TAP.
FLYSTAR ASTRAEUS
Every Thursday independent UK airline Flystar Astraeus has direct flights from:
- London Gatwick to Sal, departure at 09.45 and arrival at 15.35, with return times at 16.35 from Sal and arrival at 00.15 in London Gatwick.
- Manchester to Sal, departure at 09.15 and arrival at 13.35, with return times at 14.35 from Sal and arrival at 00.45 in Manchester.
Tickets are from £369 return inclusive of all taxes.
THOMSONFLY
Thomsonfly also offers direct flights from:
- London Gatwick to Sal, every Monday and Friday, departure at 09.40 and arrival at 13.20, with return times at 14.20 from Sal and arrival at 21.55 in London Gatwick.
- Manchester to Sal, every Tuesday, departure at 11.20 and arrival at 15.10, with return times at 16.10 from Sal and arrival at 23.55 in Manchester.
Prices start from approximately £350 return inc.airport tax.
CHARTER FLIGHT CENTER
It is also worth checking CharterFlightCenter for flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Sal and Boavista.
Please note The flights information is provided to the best of our knowledge, however changes may occur without notice, please check with the airlines before making any travel arrangements.
Please note The information above is provided to the best of our knowledge, however changes may occur without notice, please check with the operators before making any travel arrangements.
AIRPORT PARKING
- Holiday Extras, established 1983, are the UK market leaders for airport parking and airport hotels.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Unless you decide to buy your travel insurance in counjunction with your holiday provider, here are a few other options to choose from:
- Travel Insurance from £6.99 per week. Enjoy your holiday knowing you're covered by Essential Travel underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc. They cover people up to the age of 74. Immediate cover. Buy online NOW. It's quick, simple and secure. They also provide airport parking at all major UK airports.
- Argos Travel Insurance can provide cover for all your holiday requirements from short 3-day trips to regular annual holidays. A choice of cover is available depending on where you are travelling and who you travel with. Single trip cover is available for people up to the age of 70 and Annual multi trip cover for people up to the age of 65. They also do gap year cover for individuals or couples up to age of 35.
- Staysure.co.uk specialises in providing the best value online travel insurance for over 50's. Their comprehensive range of policies will cover for a single trip, annual multi-trip, short or long stay (3 to 18 months), backpacking, golf, winter sports and even weddings, in every corner of the world. And for no additional cost, they cover up to 250 pre-existing medical conditions.
Book Your Holiday With the Specialists!
To book your holiday to the Cape Verde Islands, please click on any of the following specialized travel operators, which also offer 'flight only' booking service:
To create your 'DIY Holiday', please check our 'Accomodation' page and choose from the different options available. Flights can be booked with the airline companies suggested in this page.
TRAVELLING BY YACHT
Because of the convenient location of these islands, an increasing number of yachts about to cross the Atlantic stop in Cape Verde. They can refuel and take advantage of the few facilities available, i.e. boat repair, food and water supplies.
The best equipped harbours are on Sal, Sao Vicente and Santiago, while on the other less developed islands, the safety of the anchorage depends on the weather condition.
Visa is not required unless you are planning to stay onshore, or for longer than three months. You must enter and clear at every island you visit.
RED TAPE
Every non-Cape Veardean visitor needs a visa unless they are married to, or are the offspring of, a Cape Verdean citizen, in which case they need their marriage or birth certificate.
A passport valid for six months is required upon return to the UK. A visa is required unless travelling in an organised tourist group and holding a 'Certificado Colectivo de Identidade et Viagem'. Individual travellers should obtain a visa prior to travel, unless there is no diplomatic representation of Cape Verde in their country, in which case a visa may be obtained at the airport on arrival. There is no official visa office in the UK. Visitors from the UK may buy a visa on arrival at Sal airport the main entry point for the Cape Verdes for €45 in cash. Specialist travel agents dealing with Cape Verde can also arrange visas prior to departure and there will be no need for you to approach the 'Visa Application' desk at the airport, but to proceed directly to passport control. Visas are normally valid for 90 days.
If you are planning to visit Cape Verde from West Africa, if possible get a visa before leaving Europe, as you might encounter complications getting a visa in African capitals. For those travelling via Senegal there is a Cape Verde Embassy in Dakar.
Embassy & Consulate
Cape Verde's Ambassador to the UK is Fernando Wahnon Ferreira, based in Brussels. His address is: Ambassade du Cap-Vert, Avenue Jeanne 29, 1000 Bruxelles, tel. +32 2 64 69 025/64 36 270; fax +32 2 64 63 385, email: emb.caboverde@skynet.be.
BRITISH CONSULATE
Honorary Consul, Mr Antonio Canuto, is the director of Shell Cape Verde. He can only offer limited consular assistance in an emergency. Email:Antoniocanutoantoniorc@yahoo.com
Sao Vincente British Honorary Consul
Shell Cabo Verde Sarl
Av Amilcar Cabral CP4
Sao Vincente
Telephone: (238) 232 2830
For more information you can also visit the Home Foreign & Commonwealth Office.