Flights to São Tomé and Príncipe: How to Get There from Lisbon

If you're planning your trip, one of the first questions is always: how do you get to São Tomé and Príncipe? The good news is that Portugal has a direct flight connection to the archipelago — by far the simplest and most comfortable way to do it.

Is there a direct flight from Lisbon to São Tomé?
Yes. There are two direct, non-stop flights between Lisbon and São Tomé:
- TAP Air Portugal, with regular flights during the week
- STP Airways, São Tomé and Príncipe's national airline, whose flights are operated by EuroAtlantic Airways

The flight takes approximately 6h30, which makes it considerably more comfortable than making stopovers in other African or European countries.

Which airline is best for travelling to São Tomé?
Both airlines fly the direct route, and the choice usually comes down to schedules and availability on your preferred dates. TAP is part of the Star Alliance network, with good connections from anywhere in the country via Lisbon, while STP Airways is the local carrier, with a closer relationship to the destination. Either way, we always recommend confirming schedules and baggage policy before booking, since flights to this destination aren't as frequent as to other European destinations.

How much does the flight to São Tomé and Príncipe cost?
Prices vary quite a bit depending on how far in advance you book and the time of year. As a general rule, booking at least a few weeks ahead tends to bring significant savings compared with last-minute bookings — so the earlier you secure your seat, the better the price tends to be. In our packages, the flight is already included in the total price of the tour, which saves you the hassle of comparing fares separately.

How do you get to Príncipe Island?
Here's an important detail many people don't know: there are no direct flights from Portugal to Príncipe Island. All international flights land in São Tomé first, and the connection to Príncipe is then made via a domestic flight, on a smaller aircraft. That's exactly why our tour with the Príncipe extension, the "Expedition to São Tomé and Príncipe Coast to Coast", already includes this internal connection built in from the start — travellers don't need to worry about anything, it's all arranged from beginning to end.

Practical tips for your flight
- Book in advance — flights to this destination run less frequently each week than popular European routes, so seats sell out faster than you might expect
- Check your passport's validity before buying your ticket — as we covered in our article on visa and documents, it's always worth confirming everything ahead of time
- Bring entertainment for the journey — since it's a direct but long flight (around 6h30), it's worth preparing for the flight time
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, especially since, on arrival in São Tomé, you'll also need to deal with the tourist tax before leaving the airport

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there direct flights from Lisbon to São Tomé and Príncipe?
Yes, with TAP Air Portugal and STP Airways, both non-stop, taking approximately 6h30.

How do you get to Príncipe Island?
There are no direct international flights to Príncipe. You need to fly to São Tomé first and then take a domestic flight to Príncipe Island.

Is it worth booking the flight in advance?
Yes. This destination has fewer flights than common European routes, so booking early usually secures better prices and more availability.

Is the flight already included in the agency's packages?
Yes, on all our tours the round-trip flight is already included in the total price shown.

Still have questions about organising your flight to São Tomé and Príncipe? Get in touch — we take care of everything, from the flight to the last stop on the itinerary.

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