How to get to Príncipe Island from Europe: the flight to São Tomé, the domestic flight of about 40 minutes, the days with no flights, the 15 kg baggage limit, the ticket price and why we do not recommend the boat.
How do you get to Príncipe Island? By plane. First you fly from Lisbon to São Tomé, about 6h30 on a direct flight. Then you take a domestic flight from São Tomé to Príncipe, about 40 minutes, operated by STP Airways and Afrijet. Domestic flights run every day except Tuesday and the baggage allowance is 15 kg per person. There is a boat connection, but it is irregular, takes 6 to 12 hours and we do not recommend it.
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In this guide we explain, step by step, how to get from Europe to Príncipe Island: the flights, schedules, baggage, the price of the domestic ticket, the boat, what happens on arrival and the mistakes we see every year. It is the route we take with our travellers all year round.
The Príncipe airport runway, cut through the forest, a few minutes from Santo António. Photo: Príncipe Collection
▶ Video: the forest, waterfalls and parrots you see when you arrive on Príncipe. Watch the video on YouTube. Footage: Príncipe Collection
How to get to Príncipe Island: quick answer
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Príncipe Island. You always go via São Tomé.
- Lisbon → São Tomé: about 6h30 on a direct flight, with TAP or STP Airways. On some days there is a technical stop in Accra.
- São Tomé → Príncipe: a domestic flight of about 40 minutes, in a small plane, with STP Airways or Afrijet.
- Days: every day except Tuesday. On Saturdays there is usually only the morning flight.
- Baggage: 15 kg per person in the hold. Bring a small bag and leave the rest in São Tomé.
- Total time: you rarely reach Príncipe on the same day you leave Lisbon. Allow for a night in São Tomé in between.
Step 1: from Europe to São Tomé
The way to Príncipe always starts in Lisbon. TAP and STP Airways fly direct from Lisbon to São Tomé in about 6h30; on some days of the week the TAP flight makes a technical stop in Accra, Ghana, adding about an hour. Travellers from other European cities connect in Lisbon.
Flights arrive in São Tomé in the late afternoon or evening, after the last domestic flight of the day. So in practice the first night is always in São Tomé city and the flight to Príncipe is the next day or later. We compare the two airlines in TAP or STP Airways and explain prices and days in flights to São Tomé and Príncipe.
A tip that saves a lot of headaches: book the domestic flight to Príncipe first and only then the international flight, or book everything at once through an agency. Seats on the plane to Príncipe are few, and it is that flight that sets your travel dates.
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Step 2: the flight from São Tomé to Príncipe
The domestic flight leaves São Tomé International Airport and lands at Príncipe Airport, next to Santo António, the island's capital. It uses small propeller planes and takes about 40 minutes. On a clear day, the view over the Gulf of Guinea and the arrival at the island, green from end to end, are worth the trip on their own.
- Airlines: STP Airways and Afrijet. Book on the airline's website or through a travel agency.
- Frequency: every day except Tuesday, usually with a morning and a mid-afternoon flight; on Saturdays there is generally only the morning one. Schedules change quite often, so always check when booking.
- Duration: about 40 minutes.
- Booking ahead: seats sell out weeks in advance in the dry season (June to September), at Christmas and at Easter.
| Days | São Tomé → Príncipe | Príncipe → São Tomé |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday | 09:00 → 09:40 (on some days also at 15:00) | 10:20 → 11:00 (on some days also 16:20 → 17:00) |
| Saturday | 08:00 → 08:40 | 09:10 → 09:50 |
| Tuesday | no flights | no flights |
Flight of about 40 minutes; checked baggage up to 15 kg. Schedules change quite often: always check when booking.
The sea around Príncipe seen from the air, on the approach to the island. Photo: Príncipe Collection
Baggage on the flight to Príncipe
This is where many travellers are caught out. The international flight allows 23 kg bags; the domestic flight to Príncipe allows 15 kg per person in the hold, plus a small piece of hand luggage. Excess is charged per kilo and there is not always room on the plane for extra bags.
- Bring a cabin bag or backpack for your days on Príncipe.
- Leave your large suitcase at your hotel in São Tomé: almost all do this free of charge, especially if you will stay there again.
- On Príncipe you need little: light clothes, swimwear, shoes for trails, a thin rain jacket, repellent and sunscreen.
How much the flight to Príncipe costs
A return ticket between São Tomé and Príncipe costs, as a guide, about €250 to €300 per person. The price varies with the season, airline and how far ahead you book, and the airlines update fares without notice, so treat this figure as indicative. On our trips including Príncipe Island, the domestic flight is already included in the price.
For the full budget for the island, with accommodation, food and excursions, read how much a trip to Príncipe Island costs.
Príncipe Island by boat: is it worth it?
There is a sea connection between São Tomé port and Santo António port, but we do not recommend it to travellers. The crossing takes 6 to 12 hours, depending on the boat and the sea, has no regular schedule, is often postponed because of the weather, and the sea between the two islands is rough. In recent decades there have been several shipwrecks on this route, almost always due to overloading. The plane is faster, safer and, taking time into account, cheaper.
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On arrival: airport, transfer and tourist tax
Príncipe Airport is small and a few minutes' drive from Santo António. Accommodation on the island provides the airport transfer, usually included in the booking; on our trips the driver or guide is waiting at the exit.
There is no border control on the domestic flight, as Príncipe is part of the same country: you only need your ticket and ID. The tourist tax of €2.10 per person per night is paid once, on arrival at São Tomé airport, preferably in cash. Entry documents are explained in visas and documents for São Tomé and Príncipe.
Santo António, Príncipe's tiny capital, is a few minutes from the airport. Photo: Príncipe Collection
Getting around Príncipe Island
There is no regular public transport. The most practical way to get around is with a driver and local guide, arranged by your accommodation or agency. In Santo António there are motorbike taxis for short trips. Self-drive car hire is rare and, with dirt roads and minimal signage, we do not recommend it. For the west coast beaches, such as those of Baía das Agulhas, the boat is often faster than the road.
Santo António bay, where the canoes and the boats for trips around the island tie up. Photo: Príncipe Collection
Mistakes to avoid on the trip to Príncipe
- Booking the Lisbon flight before the domestic flight. The flight to Príncipe dictates the dates.
- Forgetting about Tuesday. There are no flights that day; a delay can cost you two days of holiday.
- Connecting the domestic flight to the international one on the same day. Always leave a night in São Tomé between the two, outbound and return.
- Bringing your large suitcase. 15 kg is plenty for four or five days.
- Going for one or two days. Between flights and transfers, little time is left. See how many days to spend on Príncipe Island.
- Relying on cards. Bring euros in cash; there are very few ATMs.
Frequently asked questions about getting to Príncipe Island
Are there direct flights from Lisbon to Príncipe Island?
No. You fly from Lisbon to São Tomé, about 6h30, and then take a domestic flight of about 40 minutes to Príncipe.
How long is the flight from São Tomé to Príncipe?
About 40 minutes, in a small STP Airways or Afrijet plane.
Are there flights to Príncipe every day?
Every day except Tuesday. On Saturdays there is usually only the morning flight. Always check the schedule when booking.
What is the baggage allowance on the flight to Príncipe?
15 kg per person in the hold, plus a small piece of hand luggage. The rest can be left at your hotel in São Tomé.
How much is the flight from São Tomé to Príncipe?
As a guide, about €250 to €300 return per person, depending on the season and airline.
Can you go from São Tomé to Príncipe by boat?
There is a sea connection, but it is irregular and takes 6 to 12 hours, often in rough seas. We recommend the plane.
Can you get from Lisbon to Príncipe on the same day?
In practice, no: flights from Lisbon reach São Tomé after the last domestic flight. Allow for a night in São Tomé.
Do you need a passport for the domestic flight?
There is no border control, as it is the same country, but you must show your ticket and an ID document. Bring the passport you entered the country with.
Príncipe Island without the hassle
Príncipe is the part of the trip where logistics most often go wrong: flights that are not daily, few seats and accommodation that sells out months ahead. On the trip Holidays in São Tomé and Príncipe Island we take care of the TAP flights from Lisbon, the domestic flight, the transfers and the nights on both islands, with a local guide, from €2,950 per person. For what to do on the island, read our guide Príncipe Island: things to do.
