Getting to Cape Verde From the UK: Dream Holiday Logistics
So, how do you get to Cape Verde from the UK?
This was my first question after setting my heart on visiting those islands off the West African Coast. And I’m guessing you’re wondering the same thing?
We visited Cape Verde as a family in December 2022. But before I booked the holiday, I wanted to be sure of our options. This would be our two kiddo’s first time on an airplane, and I wanted it to be a stress-free experience for them (and us).
Don’t worry, it was!
In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to get to Cape Verde from the UK.
If you’re planning a Cape Verde holiday, you may also find some of my other Cape Verde posts helpful. I’ve included links to them at the end of this blog post.
For Cape Verde Travel We Recommend…
- Best All-Inclusive Resort: Riu Palace Santa Maria
- For Hotels and Vacation Rentals: Booking.com
- Find Flights from the UK: TUI
- Tours & Activities: Viator | Get Your Guide
Where Is Cape Verde?
The Republic of Cabo Verde is nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, 570 km off Senegal on the northwest coast of Africa.
The Cape Verde archipelago, also known as Cabo Verde, is made up of 10 volcanic islands. From the lunar-like landscapes of Fogo to the golden beaches of Sal, each island has its own unique character and allure.
The geography of these islands has made for a tragic history that includes colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and struggles for independence. These tragedies of the past have shaped a unique and rich cultural identity in Cape Verde – a blend of African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences is evident throughout Cape Verdean cuisine, music, and dance.
Amidst the comforts of all-inclusive resorts, it’s easy to overlook the Cape Verdean culture and history. But it’s the resilience, survival, and enduring spirit of the Cape Verdean people that truly define this remarkable destination.
Looking past the white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and year-round sun, the Cape Verdean people and their culture are what set it apart from other popular holiday destinations such as the Canary Islands.
Cape Verde Distance from UK
If you’re interested in experiencing these beautiful islands for yourself, you can get there quite easily from the United Kingdom. Cape Verde is approx. 5000 km southwest of the UK (about 1000 km further south than the Canary Islands) and it can be reached by air in under 6 hours.
Flights from UK to Cape Verde
The most obvious way to reach Cape Verde is by air, but it’s not the only way. I’ll talk about another option that most people don’t consider later in this blog post.
Four international airports serve the ten Cabo Verde Islands. They are:
- AmÃlcar Cabral International Airport in Sal
- Aristides Pereira International Airport in Boa Vista
- Nelson Mandela International Airport (AKA Praia International Airport) in Santiago
- Cesária Évora Airport in Sao Vicente
The most popular Cape Verde islands for holidaymakers are Sal and Boa Vista so, it’s no surprise that the only direct flights from the UK to Cape Verde go to those two islands. To reach any of the other islands in Cape Verde, you’ll need to take an indirect route.
It was for this reason that we decided on Sal Island for our family holiday. With two kids in tow we wanted a hassle-free journey. Especially for their first flight.
Who Flies to Cape Verde from the UK?
Currently, TUI is the only airline that provides direct flights to Cape Verde from the UK. They fly from Birmingham, Bristol, London Gatwick, and Manchester to Boa Vista. And from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle to Sal. Please see the tables below for the days that TUI operates from each airport.
TUI Flights from UK to Cape Verde
| From | To | Days |
| Birmingham (BHX) | Boa Vista (BVC) | Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday |
| Sal (SID) | Tuesday, Friday | |
| Bristol (BRS) | Boa Vista (BVC) | Wednesday |
| Sal (SID) | Tuesday | |
| East Midlands (EMA) | Sal (SID) | Saturday |
| Gatwick London (LGW) | Boa Vista (BVC) | Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday |
| Sal (SID) | Monday, Thursday | |
| Glasgow (GLA) | Sal (SID) | Friday |
| Manchester (MAN) | Boa Vista (BVC) | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Sal (SID) | Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday | |
| Newcastle (NCL) | Sal (SID) | Monday |
TUI Flights Cape Verde to UK
| From | To | Days |
| Boa Vista (BVC) | Birmingham (BHX) | Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday |
| Bristol (BRS) | Wednesday | |
| Gatwick London (LGW) | Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday | |
| Manchester (MAN) | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | |
| Sal (SID) | Birmingham (BHX) | Tuesday, Friday |
| Bristol (BRS) | Tuesday | |
| East Midlands (EMA) | Saturday | |
| Gatwick London (LGW) | Monday, Thursday | |
| Glasgow (GLA) | Friday | |
| Manchester (MAN) | Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday | |
| Newcastle (NCL) | Monday |
TUI Package Holidays to Cape Verde Islands from the UK
TUI has you covered not only with direct flights, but also fantastic package deals to Sal and Boa Vista. From flights to visas, transfers to accommodation, and mouth-watering food, TUI takes care of it all, leaving you with ample time and energy to create incredible family memories.
In December 2022, we opted for a package holiday to the RIU Palace Santa Maria. Jetting off from London Gatwick on the swanky 787 Dreamliner added a touch of luxury, especially for our kids experiencing their first flight. While we typically lean towards holiday rentals, the ease of having everything sorted by TUI was sheer bliss.
You can get our pick of the four best Cape Verde resorts for families here.
RIU Palace, Santa Maria Sal
(Affiliate Link)
Flight Time to Cape Verde from UK
The UK to Cape Verde flight time varies slightly depending on which UK airport you’re flying from and whether you’re traveling to Sal or Boa Vista. Please see the table below for an approx. breakdown of the flight times from each UK airport to both Sal and Boa Vista.
UK Flight to Sal Island, Cape Verde
| From | To | Flight duration UK to Cape Verde |
| Birmingham (BHX) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 10 min |
| Bristol (BRS) | Sal (SID) | 5 hr 55 min |
| East Midlands (EMA) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 10 min |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 5 min |
| Glasgow (GLA) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 20 min |
| Manchester (MAN) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 15 min |
| Newcastle (NCL) | Sal (SID) | 6 hr 35 min |
UK Flight to Boa Vista, Cape Verde
| From | To | Flight duration UK to Cape Verde |
| Birmingham (BHX) | Boa Vista (BVC) | 6 hr 15 min |
| Bristol (BRS) | Boa Vista (BVC) | 5 hr 58 min |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | Boa Vista (BVC) | 6 hr 15 min |
| Manchester (MAN) | Boa Vista (BVC) | 6 hr 25 min |
Cheapest Flights to Cape Verde from the UK
Discovering the most budget-friendly flights to Cape Verde from the UK often leads to indirect options, requiring a pitstop along the way. While this saves money, it does mean investing more time in your journey.
Let’s take a peek at my recent exploration on Skyscanner for the best deals in August 2024.
On the 8th of August, a trip from London Gatwick to Sal, Cape Verde caught my eye. A steal at £276, but here’s the catch – the total travel time stretched to a whopping 27 hours and 25 minutes, involving layovers in Majorca and Gran Canaria.
Now, compare that with a direct flight from TUI on the same date, clocking in at just 5 hours and 50 minutes, but with a higher price tag of £723.
For families, especially those with restless little ones, the added cost for a shorter journey might be a no-brainer.
However, if you’re a full-time or part-time traveling family like us, exploring alternative options opens up exciting possibilities. Direct flights to Cape Verde are available from various European cities such as Lisbon, Paris, Brussels, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife, among others.
Pro tip: Explore all the direct flight options from different countries on this incredibly helpful website.
Getting to The Other Cape Verde Islands from the UK
Sal and Boa Vista are only two of the ten islands in the Cabo Verde Archipelago. So, what about the other hidden gems: Maio, Fogo, Brava, Santiago, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, and Santo Antao? How do you reach them from the UK?
If you’re hoping to delve into the wonders of the other Cape Verde Islands, here are two simple options:
- Flight Scheduling with Skyscanner:
- Use apps like Skyscanner to discover flight schedules. I found the following deal from London Gatwick to Praia, Santiago, on July 1, 2024. Total travel time? 17 hours and 45 minutes, with a 10-hour layover in Paris. The cost? A budget-friendly £227. Indirect flights often mean a longer journey.
- Island Hopping:
- Opt for a more direct route by flying into Sal or Boa Vista and then indulge in some island hopping. Daily domestic flights with TICV (aka Best Fly Cabo Verde) connect many of the Cape Verde islands. All inter-island flights make a stop at Nelson Mandela Airport in Santiago. For example, a journey from Sal to Sao Vicente involves hopping from Sal to Santiago, and then Santiago to Sao Vicente. Each flight is typically under an hour.
- You could also consider island hopping by boat or ferry although not all of them run to a specific timetable. Also, it’s worth knowing that sea conditions can be very rough between November and June. At this time of year, you may wish to avoid this mode of transport altogether.
Plan a Safe & Memorable Family Trip to Cape Verde Today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
TUI operates direct flights to Sal in Cape Verde from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle airports. TUI also flies direct to Boa Vista in Cape Verde from Birmingham, Bristol, London Gatwick, and Manchester airports.
The flight time from UK to Cape Verde varies slightly depending on which airport you’re flying from but in general the flights are between 5 hours 45 minutes and 6 hours 35 minutes.
No, UK to Cape Verde is not long haul. TUI classes UK to Cape Verde flights as mid-haul due to them being under 7 hours.
During the British summer (Last Sunday March to Last Sunday October) the UK is two hours ahead of Cape Verde. For the rest of the year, the UK is one hour ahead of Cape Verde.
Key Takeaways
Your journey from the UK to Cape Verde doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult. Let’s sum up the key things to remember:
- Flight Choices: Whether you’re opting for direct flights or exploring budget-friendly indirect options, knowing your flight choices is the first step to a smooth trip.
- TUI’s Convenience: TUI is your go-to travel organizer, offering comprehensive packages that take care of all the details, letting you focus on making cherished memories.
- Indirect Adventures: While indirect flights may add some extra travel time, they can also bring unexpected opportunities for exploration during layovers.
- Exploring Beyond Sal and Boa Vista: Use Skyscanner for easy indirect flight scheduling to other Cape Verde Islands or consider island-hopping once you get there.
Most importantly, enjoy your time in Cape Verde and make the most incredible family memories.
More Cape Verde Blog Posts
- Top 15 Things To Do in Sal Cape Verde (For The Whole Family!)
- No Fluff Guide: The Best Cape Verde Resorts For Families
- Uncover the Best Cape Verde Beaches For Families
- Everything You Need to Know about Swimming In The Cape Verde Sea
- Cape Verdean Cuisine for Kids: Easy Recipes Inside!
- Discover The Best Time to Visit Cape Verde
- Experience the Vibrant Soul of Cape Verde Culture: Family Memories in the Making!
- What You Need To Know Before Packing Your Bags: Cape Verde With Kids
- Boa Vista or Sal for Families (Which One Reigns Supreme?)
- The Best RIU Hotel in Cape Verde for Families
