Arriving by air
Getting from Cape Verde’s airports into town
Short answer
No source we checked lists a scheduled bus at any Cape Verdean airport. Taxis are available at most airports when you land — agree the fare before you get in — and informal shared vans called hiaces run on every island. Pick your airport below for the full answer.
Four international airports, one company
Cabo Verde Airports, part of the VINCI group, runs the four international airports — on Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago and São Vicente — and the aerodromes on São Nicolau, Maio and Fogo. Santo Antão and Brava have no working airport, the UK government says: you reach them by sea.
- Sal: Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID), near Espargos.
- Boa Vista: Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC).
- Santiago: Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI), about 3 km from Praia.
- São Vicente: Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE), about 5 km from Mindelo.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsAbout the airport companyTurismo de Cabo VerdeFlights and airportsUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeCape Verde travel advice: health
Taxis and hiaces at arrivals
The airport company says formal taxis are available at most airports on arrival, that fares vary by island, and that the island’s municipal council is the place to check prices. The tourism board gives the same advice: settle the price with the driver before the journey starts.
The UK government advises using only authorised taxis from a rank or called by your hotel; on Sal and Boa Vista these are blue and yellow. There is no Uber, Bolt or Lyft, the tourism board says.
- Hiace vans: the airport company gives a minimum fare of about 100 CVE a trip on its English page and 130 CVE on its Portuguese one.
- Hiaces are shared and leave when full; the tourism board warns that in some areas they run only at certain times of the day.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsPublic transportation at the airportsTransporte público (Portuguese page)Turismo de Cabo VerdeGetting around each island by landUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeCape Verde travel advice: safety and security
Money, SIM cards and Wi-Fi when you land
The airport company lists a BCA bank at the Sal, São Vicente and Boa Vista airports, and the Cotacâmbios exchange office at the Praia and Sal airports, which says it serves the passengers of every flight, every day of the week. The tourism board says Alou and Unitel T+ sell SIM cards from stores at the Praia and Sal airports.
Every airport the company runs has free, unlimited Wi-Fi; you only need to give a valid email address.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsFinancial services at the airportsTurismo de Cabo VerdeTelecommunications and internetCabo Verde AirportsFree Wi-Fi at the airports (Portuguese page)
Ports, airports and the gaps between
Ferry ports
ENAPOR runs the commercial ports. Ticket counters open shortly before a sailing rather than all day, and the operator’s one-and-a-half-hour cut-off is enforced.
ENAPORPorts of Cabo VerdeCV InterIlhasTicket purchase rules
When the boat does not sail
Since April 2026 domestic flights are operated by CVsky, the brand of the state airline LACV, with two ATR 72-600s. It is the practical fallback for Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista and Fogo when a crossing is cancelled.
- Book directly with the airline rather than assuming a ferry ticket transfers.
- Reduced-capacity aircraft mean cancelled-ferry days fill fast.
CVsky (LACV)Domestic airline routes and booking
Airports without a bus
Cabo Verde Airports, part of the VINCI group, runs the four international airports and three aerodromes. Its own transport page lists taxis at most airports on arrival and informal hiace vans — no scheduled airport bus at any of them.
Cabo Verde AirportsAbout the airport companyPublic transportation at the airports
Baggage and boarding
CV InterIlhas allows two hand items per passenger within 55 × 40 × 25 cm and 8 kg each, tickets are checked by crew onboard, and seats cannot be reserved in advance.
CV InterIlhasPassenger frequently asked questions
Questions travellers ask
Is there an airport bus in Cape Verde?
Not in any source we checked. The airport company’s own transport page lists taxis and informal hiace vans, and no scheduled airport line on any island.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsPublic transportation at the airports
How much is a taxi from the airport?
No authority publishes airport taxi fares. The airport company says rates vary by island and points to the municipal council; the tourism board says to agree the price with the driver before you set off.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsPublic transportation at the airportsTurismo de Cabo VerdeGetting around each island by land
Will there be a taxi if I land late at night?
The airport company says taxis are available at most airports on arrival, but it publishes no hours. If you land after dark, you can also arrange a transfer or a pick-up ahead; the late-arrival guide has the details.
Sources: Cabo Verde AirportsPublic transportation at the airports