The two airlines flying Lisbon to São Tomé, how they differ on baggage and schedules, and how domestic flights to Príncipe island work.
TAP or STP Airways? The short answer: there are direct flights from Lisbon to São Tomé, operated by TAP and STP Airways. The choice is rarely about the airline itself — it is about baggage and the day of the week you want to travel. And if your trip includes Príncipe island, there is a third flight to fit in, this one within the country.
This article compares the options. If you are looking for the route, flight time and airports, see our article on flights to São Tomé and Príncipe via Lisbon.
The runway of Príncipe island airport, in the middle of the forest. Photo: Príncipe Collection
What you will find in this guide
- The two airlines flying Lisbon – São Tomé
- The difference that matters most: baggage
- Schedules and days of the week
- Domestic flights to Príncipe island
- FAQ
TAP or STP Airways: the two airlines
| TAP Air Portugal | STP Airways | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Lisbon – São Tomé, direct | Lisbon – São Tomé, direct (operated by euroAtlantic Airways) |
| Days | Several times a week | Usually on Saturdays |
| Checked baggage | Depends on the fare: the cheapest we found (Nov 2026) included hand luggage only | 2 bags, included even in the cheapest fares we found (Nov 2026) |
| Cabin baggage | 8 kg, depending on the fare | Check your fare |
| Connections on the same ticket | London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt and the rest of the TAP network | Not stated |
| Best for | Travellers starting outside Lisbon or collecting miles | Travellers with lots of luggage |
Schedules and frequencies change during the year: always check before you buy.
TAP Air Portugal
It is the best-known option, with the obvious advantage of connections from London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt and the rest of TAP's European network on a single ticket via Lisbon. For anyone collecting miles or travelling on business, it is usually the natural choice.
For baggage, the usual rule is one 23 kg checked bag plus 8 kg of cabin baggage, depending on the fare you buy.
STP Airways
It is the national airline of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Lisbon route is operated by euroAtlantic Airways. According to the airline's published schedules, the Lisbon–São Tomé flight operates on Saturdays, leaving in the early hours and arriving in the morning, with the return the same day.
The advantage that matters most if you travel with luggage: STP Airways usually allows two checked bags. If you carry equipment — photography, diving, gifts for friends on the island — the difference is real.
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Since schedules and frequencies change during the year, always check before you buy. It is one of the things we verify when we put a tour together.
The difference that matters most: baggage
If you can't decide, this is usually the deciding question. An extra 23 kg bag bought separately often costs enough to reverse a price comparison that looked favourable.
There is also a detail almost nobody anticipates: many things can't be bought in São Tomé, or cost more because they are imported. Families with children, travellers with specific dietary needs or anyone carrying technical gear will appreciate the extra space.
Pico Cão Grande, 663 metres high, seen from the forest in the south of São Tomé. Photo: Príncipe Collection
Schedules and days of the week
Flights to São Tomé are typically overnight: you leave Lisbon in the evening or in the early hours and arrive early in the morning. That has two practical consequences.
The first is that arrival day is not a full travel day — it is a settling-in day. On our tours we always allow for this and start the programme properly the next day.
The second is that the day of the week shapes the whole itinerary. A flight that only operates on Saturdays means your trip starts and ends on a Saturday. When Príncipe is involved, fitting the international flight together with the domestic one becomes the piece that drives the itinerary.
STP Airways: fares, contacts and Lisbon office
In our search on 10 November 2026, the cheapest STP Airways direct return flights Lisbon–São Tomé cost €662 in March and €638 in May 2027, with two checked bags included; in summer (late July to mid-August) the cheapest was €909. In the schedules we checked, the flight leaves Lisbon on Saturday at 00:05 and the return leaves São Tomé the following Saturday morning. On TAP, the cheapest fares we found included hand luggage only.
- Lisbon office and bookings: Av. João XXI, 11D, 1000-298 Lisbon · tel. +351 218 437 040 · reservationslis@stpairways.st
- Lisbon office hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00
- São Tomé office: Avenida Marginal 12 de Julho, São Tomé · tel. +239 222 11 60 · Monday to Friday 7:30–16:30, Saturday 9:00–12:00
Sources: STP Airways, Contacts; fares searched on Kiwi.com on 10/11/2026 (they change daily).
Domestic flights to Príncipe island
The link between São Tomé and Príncipe is flown on a small plane and takes about 40 minutes. According to STP Airways' published schedules, it operates on most days of the week, with two flights a day on several of them and only one on Saturdays.
Two warnings we always give:
- The baggage allowance on the domestic flight is much smaller than on the international one. It is best to leave some of your luggage at your accommodation in São Tomé and take only the essentials to Príncipe.
- Don't book the domestic flight right next to the international one. Leave a margin. It is a small plane, subject to the weather, and a tight connection could cost you your flight back to Europe.
If you are thinking of including Príncipe, see where to stay on both islands and our real day-by-day itineraries.
Beach and village on the coast of São Tomé, with forest and mountains behind. Photo: Príncipe Collection
FAQ
Are there direct flights from Lisbon to São Tomé?
Yes. It is the only direct link from Europe, operated by TAP and STP Airways. On some days the flight makes a technical stop of about 30 minutes in Accra, Ghana, without leaving the plane (see flight time from Lisbon to São Tomé).
How long is the flight?
About six and a half hours between Lisbon and São Tomé. We go into detail in our article on flight time from Lisbon to São Tomé.
Which of the two airlines is cheaper?
It varies with the season and how far ahead you book. Always compare the price with the baggage you will need, not the base fare — that is where the comparison flips.
Can I fly from London or elsewhere in Europe?
There are no direct flights from the rest of Europe. You connect in Lisbon, and buying everything on the same ticket protects you if your first flight is delayed.
Should I reconfirm the domestic flight to Príncipe?
It is good practice, yes, especially in high season and if there have been schedule changes. It is one of the things we handle for you when you travel with us.
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?.
TAP or STP Airways: we handle the flights and everything else
On our tours, international and domestic flights are built into the itinerary — no tight connections and no wasted days. Talk to our team and we will take care of everything.
