Praia Airport (Nelson Mandela) serves Cape Verde's capital, on the island of Santiago, approximately 3 km from the city center.
It is the main gateway for those visiting the capital and Santiago's mountainous interior, less oriented to beach tourism than Sal.
How to get to Praia International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to RAI
Parking near Praia International Airport
Near the terminal is a parking area of limited size.
There is no custodial staff but video surveillance is active; rates remain reasonable.
How to get to Praia from RAI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Santiago Island: 1-Way Airport Transfer to Praia
“Tarrafal Shuttle: To & From Airport and City”
Santiago Island: Private Airport Transfer to/from Tarrafal
Praia: Airport and hotel transfers and taxi services
Car rental at Praia International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring Santiago's mountainous interior.
Bring a driver's license, passport, credit card and, generally, an International Driving Permit.
Hotels near Praia International Airport
Near the airport
2-3 minutes by car from the Nelson Mandela terminal; the managers of both apartments offer a transfer on request.
Best for: One-night stopovers and very early flights, when the shortest possible transfer is what counts.
- One of the shortest transfers in this guide, just minutes on foot or by car from the terminal
- Generally lower prices than in the city's tourist districts
- Area without tourist restaurants: dinner means going elsewhere or ordering in
- The historic Plateau centre and Prainha beach remain 10-15 minutes further by car
Recommended hotels
- OSB House Airport Apartment Two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and air conditioning throughout, about 3 minutes from the terminal; airport transfer on request. View availability
- Apartment 3 minutes from Nelson Mandela Airport Studio for up to seven people about 1.9 km from the terminal, with a private patio, garden and indoor parking. View availability
Prainha and the Plateau
About 5 minutes by car from the airport (4-6 km); the Plateau is about 10 minutes' walk from the Prainha hotels.
Best for: Those who want Prainha beach and the historic Plateau centre within walking distance.
- Prainha beach just steps away, among the most central and popular in the capital
- The Plateau, the historic core on a headland with the National Assembly and the markets, a 10-minute walk away
- Some recent reviews mention dated furnishings
- Noise from the breakfast room reported by some guests
Palmarejo and Cidadela
About 15-20 minutes by car from the airport (8-10 km).
Best for: Longer stays in a modern residential district, with restaurants and cafés frequented more by residents than by tourists.
- District with more recent buildings, wide streets and cafés with reliable Wi-Fi, popular among expats and foreign residents
- Quebra Canela beach about 3 km away, among the most frequented by the capital's residents
- Far on foot from the Plateau and the historic centre
- Designed for getting around by car or taxi rather than on foot
Recommended hotels
- 2 bdr cozy apt near Praça Center, AC & Fast Wi-Fi Two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Palmarejo, near the Praça Center with shops and restaurants; air conditioning and fast Wi-Fi. View availability
- 3 bdr cozy apt, Exterior POOL, Cidadela - LCGR Three-bedroom apartment with a shared outdoor pool in the Cidadela district, one of Praia's most sought-after residential areas, about 8 km from the airport. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
From check-in to gate takes roughly 10 minutes, given the terminal's compact structure.
Customs and security can take longer than expected: it's better to present yourself at least 3 hours early for international flights.
Map of Praia International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Praia a good tourist base?
It offers a more urban, authentic experience than Sal, with the historic Plateau district; most beach tourism, however, is concentrated on Sal and Boa Vista.
Q. How do you get to the other islands from Praia?
By domestic flights or inter-island ferries, the latter often cheaper but with less frequent schedules: always check the current timetables.
Q. Do you need a visa for Cape Verde when arriving in Praia?
The same rules apply to every entry point into the country: no visa for most Western nationalities for stays of up to 30 days, but the EASE registration must be completed in advance.
Q. Is it safe to walk around central Praia in the evening?
As in any urban center, the usual precautions are needed after dark, especially in less frequented areas: around Plateau and along the main streets, though, things stay calm during the day.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
