There is no direct flight from the UK to São Tomé. Here are the real routes from London via Lisbon, flight times, prices, documents and how to reach Príncipe.
Wondering how to get to Sao Tome from the UK? There is no direct flight: the quickest and most reliable route is to fly from London (or another UK airport) to Lisbon and connect there with TAP Air Portugal to São Tomé International Airport (TMS). Allow around 11–13 hours in total, including the connection.
That is the main filter of this destination: getting there takes a little effort, which is exactly why it is still uncrowded. Here are all the realistic options, with their advantages and their traps, plus the one piece of good news for British travellers: São Tomé runs on GMT all year, so there is no jet lag in winter and only one hour's difference in British Summer Time.
In this article
- How to get to Sao Tome from the UK: via Lisbon with TAP
- Alternative routes (and why they rarely pay off)
- São Tomé International Airport (TMS)
- How to fly to Príncipe island
- Travel documents for British citizens
- When to book your flight
- Frequently asked questions
- We take care of everything after you land
How to get to Sao Tome from the UK: via Lisbon with TAP
This is the route the vast majority of European travellers use, and by far the most sensible one.
- First leg: London Heathrow, Gatwick or another UK airport → Lisbon (LIS). Around 2 h 30 min to 3 hours. TAP, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair fly to Lisbon from the UK, with several departures a day from London.
- Second leg: Lisbon (LIS) → São Tomé (TMS) with TAP. About six and a half hours, usually an overnight flight.
- Frequency: several departures a week from Lisbon. It is not daily, so your departure date shapes the whole itinerary.
- Return fare from the UK: typically €800–1,300 (about £680–1,100) depending on season and how early you book; well ahead and in low season you can find deals from around €650 (about £550).
One ticket or two separate tickets?
Booking the whole journey on a single TAP ticket (TAP flies from Heathrow and Gatwick) is usually more expensive, but if your London–Lisbon flight is late the airline rebooks you. If you buy the UK–Lisbon leg separately with a low-cost carrier you may save money, but you carry the risk: a missed connection in Lisbon can mean waiting days for the next flight, because there are no daily departures. If you go it alone, leave at least four hours between flights, or better still spend a night in Lisbon. Check the timings in our guide to flight times to São Tomé.
Some flights stop in Accra
Some Lisbon–São Tomé flights stop in Accra (Ghana) without a change of aircraft. You do not need to get off or deal with any paperwork, but it adds roughly an hour to the journey. Check when you book if your arrival time matters.
Alternative routes (and why they rarely pay off)
Via Accra (Ghana)
Possible by combining a flight from London to Accra with a regional connection to São Tomé. It can be cheaper on some dates, but connections are long, schedules change and reliability is low.
Via Libreville (Gabon)
There are sometimes regional links between Libreville and São Tomé, with unstable schedules. The problem is reaching Libreville from the UK, which itself means a connection in Paris or Casablanca. You end up with three flights and often more hours than via Lisbon.
Via Luanda with TAAG
TAAG Angola Airlines links Luanda with São Tomé. It makes sense if you are already travelling in Angola, not if you are starting from the UK.
Via Casablanca or Paris
Royal Air Maroc and Air France have good African networks, but no practical connection to São Tomé: you will end up connecting through Lisbon, Accra or Libreville anyway.
The practical conclusion: for an 8- to 11-day trip from the UK, the Lisbon route almost always wins. The alternatives are only worth it if you are combining São Tomé with another African country.
São Tomé International Airport (TMS)
It is small and very simple: one terminal, manual baggage delivery and quick formalities. What to know before you land:
- The tourist tax is paid here, in cash: €2.10 per person per night. Bring small euro notes.
- Cash machines are unreliable. The FCDO notes there are only a few ATMs and that credit cards are not widely accepted. Do not count on withdrawing money when you land.
- Currency exchange: there are exchange desks to change euros into dobras, though rates are usually better in town. Bring euros, not pounds.
- Local SIM card: available at the airport or in town, about €6 for 4 GB.
- Transfer to the centre: 10–15 minutes, €10–15 by taxi. Many hotels and all organised circuits include it.
How to fly to Príncipe island
São Tomé and Príncipe are two islands roughly 150 km apart across the ocean. To travel between them:
- By small plane: about 35 minutes' flying time, with STP Airways or Africa's Connection, €180–260 return. These are small aircraft with a very limited baggage allowance (often 10–15 kg): leave your big suitcase at your hotel in São Tomé and travel light.
- By boat: it exists, it is much cheaper and takes 6–8 hours, with irregular schedules and often rough seas. Not recommended unless you are feeling adventurous.
Always build in a buffer: inter-island flights are delayed or cancelled fairly easily, so never plan your flight back to Europe on the same day you return from Príncipe. The FCDO also suggests checking the UK Air Safety List when choosing which airlines to fly with locally.
Featured trip
São Tomé and Príncipe Circuit — 8 Days
Travel documents for British citizens
- Passport: the FCDO says it must be valid for the duration of your stay; to be safe, we recommend at least six months' validity left.
- Visa: British tourists can visit for up to 15 days without a visa. For longer stays you must meet the entry requirements of the São Tomé authorities (there is an online e-visa system); apply well in advance. More in our São Tomé visa guide.
- Yellow fever: a certificate is only required if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission. Check TravelHealthPro and your GP or travel clinic before you go.
- Onward or return ticket: sometimes requested at check-in.
- Driving: if you plan to hire a car, the FCDO says you need your UK licence plus the correct International Driving Permit.
Always read the latest FCDO travel advice for São Tomé and Príncipe before booking.
When to book your flight
Three to four months ahead usually gives the best prices. For July, August and Christmas, book six months ahead, because seats are limited and sell out. The cheapest months tend to be February, March, May and November.
And a tip that saves a lot of grief: book your flight before your accommodation. As there are no daily departures, the flight sets the dates of your trip, not the other way round. For a full picture of the budget, see how much a trip to São Tomé costs.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to São Tomé?
No. No airline flies direct from the UK. You have to connect, almost always in Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal.
How long is the flight from London to São Tomé?
Around 11–13 hours door to door from London, counting the flight to Lisbon, the connection and the six and a half hours of the Lisbon–São Tomé leg.
What airlines fly to São Tomé and Príncipe?
TAP Air Portugal from Lisbon is the main one. Regional links are also run by STP Airways, Africa's Connection and TAAG from Luanda.
How much luggage can I take?
On TAP, economy fares usually include one 23 kg checked bag plus 8 kg of hand luggage, depending on the fare. On inter-island flights to Príncipe the allowance drops sharply, often to 10–15 kg.
Is it safe to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
Yes, it is one of the calmest destinations in Africa. The FCDO describes the crime rate as generally low, while recommending the usual precautions with valuables. Read our guide on whether São Tomé is safe.
Do I need a transit visa for Ghana if the flight stops in Accra?
Not if you stay on board the same aircraft and do not leave the plane or the transit area.
Can you get to São Tomé by boat?
There are no scheduled passenger services from Europe or neighbouring countries that work for travellers. The only realistic way to get there is by air.
We take care of everything after you land
Our 8-day São Tomé guided circuit is a private trip with flights not included: you choose your ticket from the UK and we take care of everything from the moment you land, with transfer, an English-speaking local guide for all 8 days, a 4x4 with driver, accommodation at Roça Santa Luzia, Praia Inhame Ecolodge and Hotel Omali, five guided excursions, the boat to Ilhéu das Rolas and half board with 17 meals, from €1,250 per person (about £1,060). Remember to add travel insurance, which is not included.
Prefer flights sorted too? Our 11-day São Tomé and Príncipe trip includes TAP flights from Lisbon, from €3,100. Read the complete São Tomé travel guide or get in touch and we will help you choose the best flight combination.