What time is it in São Tomé and Príncipe? UTC+0 all year, no daylight saving. Time difference with the UK, Europe, the USA and Africa, sunrise and sunset times, and why there is no jet lag.
What time is it in São Tomé and Príncipe? São Tomé runs on Greenwich Mean Time: São Tomé and Príncipe is in the UTC+0 time zone (GMT) and never changes its clocks. Compared with the UK and Ireland: in winter it is exactly the same time; in summer, when the UK moves to British Summer Time, São Tomé is one hour behind London.
It is one of the most common questions before a trip, and the answer is good news: with at most one or two hours' difference from Europe, there is no jet lag to speak of.
Sunset over the bay of São Tomé city. Photo: Príncipe Collection
What time zone is São Tomé and Príncipe in
The archipelago uses the UTC+0 time zone, technically identified as Africa/Sao_Tome. It is the same Greenwich reference meridian — which makes sense, as the country lies almost on the Equator and very close to the prime meridian. In fact, the point where the Equator crosses the Greenwich meridian is in the ocean, south of the archipelago.
The two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, are in the same time zone. There is no time difference between them, not even when you take the domestic flight.
No daylight saving time
São Tomé and Príncipe does not use daylight saving time. The clocks stay the same 365 days a year. This means the difference with Europe is not fixed — it changes twice a year, but because of Europe, not because of the archipelago.
Time difference between the UK, Europe and São Tomé
| Where you are | European winter (late October to late March) | European summer (late March to late October) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal | Same time | São Tomé is 1 hour behind |
| France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland | São Tomé is 1 hour behind | São Tomé is 2 hours behind |
São Tomé and Príncipe is on UTC+0 all year and never changes its clocks. The difference changes because of daylight saving time in Europe.
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In practice, if you travel between June and September — the dry season, the best time to visit the archipelago — from London you just put your watch back one hour on landing. That is the only adjustment you need.
Time difference with other countries
| Country | Time zone | Difference with São Tomé |
|---|---|---|
| USA (New York) | UTC−5 in winter, UTC−4 in summer | São Tomé is 5 hours ahead in winter, 4 hours ahead in summer |
| Brazil (Brasília) | UTC−3 | São Tomé is 3 hours ahead |
| Cape Verde | UTC−1 | São Tomé is 1 hour ahead |
| Ghana and Guinea-Bissau | UTC+0 | Same time |
| Angola, Gabon and Nigeria | UTC+1 | São Tomé is 1 hour behind, all year |
| South Africa and Mozambique | UTC+2 | São Tomé is 2 hours behind |
Coconut palms under the night sky of São Tomé, a few kilometres from the Equator. Photo: Príncipe Collection
The sun rises and sets at the same time all year
This is the part that surprises almost everyone. Because it sits practically on the Equator, São Tomé and Príncipe has days of the same length all year round: about twelve hours of daylight and twelve of darkness.
The sun rises at around 6:00 and sets at around 18:00, in January as in July. There are no long summer evenings or dark winter mornings. And dusk is quick — in twenty minutes late afternoon turns into full night.
This has a practical consequence our guides know well: hikes and roça visits start early. If you set off at 9:00 you have already missed the best light and will hit the hottest part of the day. In São Tomé, the useful travel day runs from 6:00 to 18:00 — not a minute more.
No jet lag
With a maximum difference of one hour from the UK, and two from most of continental Europe, there is no real jet lag. What tires you is not the time zone but the flight schedule: connections via Lisbon are usually overnight, arriving in the early hours or early morning.
That is why the first day of our tours is always light — arrival, transfer and check-in — and the exploring begins properly the next day. You can see how we plan the days in our real São Tomé and Príncipe itineraries.
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Sao Tome and Principe Holidays with Flights: 9 Days of Plantations, Beaches and Rolas Islet
9-day small-group trip around São Tomé with direct flights from Lisbon, half board, the boat crossing to Rolas Islet and lunch by chef João Carlos Silva.
Príncipe island from the air, with peaks and forest down to the sea. Photo: Príncipe Collection
A jet-lag-free trip to São Tomé
With no time difference from the UK in winter and a direct flight of about 6h30 from Lisbon (see flight time from Lisbon to São Tomé), São Tomé is one of the easiest tropical destinations for a week's holiday. Our São Tomé and Príncipe trip, 9 days with flights, from €2,350, includes flights from Lisbon, accommodation, half board, a guide and excursions. See all dates on the São Tomé and Príncipe trip page.
FAQ
What time is it now in São Tomé and Príncipe?
It is Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0). If you are in the UK in winter, it is the same time as on your watch. During British Summer Time, subtract one hour.
Does São Tomé and Príncipe have daylight saving time?
No. The country stays on UTC+0 all year and never changes its clocks.
Is Príncipe island in a different time zone?
No. Both islands share the same time zone. The flight between them takes about half an hour and you don't need to change your watch.
What is the time difference between São Tomé and the USA?
São Tomé is 5 hours ahead of New York in winter and 4 hours ahead in summer, because the USA changes its clocks and São Tomé does not.
Will I get jet lag?
Coming from Europe, no. The difference is between zero and two hours. Any tiredness on arrival comes from the overnight flight, not the time zone.
How many days do you need for São Tomé and Príncipe?
Eight days is the sensible minimum for São Tomé island, and nine to eleven if you want to add Príncipe. We suggest day-by-day itineraries in our São Tomé and Príncipe itinerary.
When is the best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
The gravana, from June to September, is the dry season and the most popular. January and February are a great alternative to escape the European winter, with heat and fewer visitors. We explain month by month in best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe.
How much does a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe cost?
An organised 9-day trip, with flights from Lisbon, half board, a guide and excursions, costs from €2,350 per person. We compare all prices in how much a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe costs.
Is it safe to travel to São Tomé and Príncipe?
Yes. It is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa; the main precautions concern malaria, the roads and the sea. We explain everything in is São Tomé and Príncipe safe?.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to São Tomé?
About 6h30 to 6h45 non-stop. On some days there is a technical stop in Accra, which adds around an hour. More details in flight time from Lisbon to São Tomé.
Planning your trip?
If you are organising a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe, see also where to stay in the archipelago and how to get there via Lisbon. And if you would rather leave it all to people who know the ground, talk to our team.
