How do you get to Sal?
Getting There4.4/10Harder to reach than about 65% of cities
- Main airport
- Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: flightconnections.com, capeverdeislands.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- No public bus service at airport; taxis are the primary arrival option. Pre-book a transfer if you want guaranteed meet-and-greet service.
- Ferry schedules are seasonal and weather-dependent (especially Nov–Mar); confirm dates close to travel. Book online weeks in advance to avoid last-minute unavailability.
- Domestic flights fill quickly (small aircraft); book 3–4 weeks ahead during peak season.
- Airport is only 25 minutes by taxi from Santa Maria (the main tourist hub), making Sal very accessible for short trips.
- Taxis on Sal are identified by light blue and yellow colors. Agree on price before boarding; typical in-town rates are 200–500 CVE.
- Aluguer minibuses are the cheapest local transport but depart only when full and run on flexible schedules; ideal for budget travelers comfortable with uncertainty.
- Ferry travel is scenic but rough; bring motion-sickness medication if prone to seasickness, particularly Nov–Mar.
- Both ferry and flight schedules are best December–May; avoid summer (June–Sept) for reliable connections.
- Most inter-island bookings (flights, ferries) are possible by phone or in person if internet is unavailable, though online booking offers best seat availability.
Airport
- Name
- Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID)
- Description
- Sal's main international airport, located approximately 2 km south of Espargos. Cape Verde's largest airport handling up to 2,600 passengers per hour with annual traffic of 1–1.5 million passengers.
- Note On Direct Flights
- 43 direct flight destinations across 41 cities in 16 countries. Most frequent routes: São Vicente and Praia (Cape Verde domestic). Flight frequency best October–May (winter); fewer international flights June–September.
International Airlines
- easyJet (year-round from UK/Europe; seasonal from Amsterdam)
- Transavia (France, year-round and seasonal routes)
- TUI Airways (UK, year-round and seasonal)
- Cabo Verde Airlines (multiple European cities and USA)
- TAP Air Portugal (Lisbon hub)
- Luxair, Neos, Edelweiss Air (various European cities)
Ferries
- Booking
- Online via cvinterilhas.cv/buy, at Palmeira port office (open 2 hours before departure), or through local travel agents (Navex on Sal, Polar on other islands). Book several weeks in advance for popular routes.
- Operator
- CV Interilhas (primary inter-island ferry operator)
- Port On Sal
- Palmeira
- Luggage Allowance
- 2 carry-on bags (max 55×40×25 cm, 8 kg) per passenger included. Extra bags: 300 CVE each.
- Weather Note
- Sea conditions rough November–March; schedules subject to cancellation/delay. Most stable November–June.
Redonda Line
- Vessel
- Dona Tututa
- Frequency
- 2–3 times per week
- Description
- Connects São Vicente–São Nicolau–Sal–Boa Vista–Santiago
Routes From Sal
- Sal–Boa Vista (via Redonda Line)
- Sal–São Nicolau (via Redonda Line)
- Sal–Santiago (via Redonda Line)
- Sal–São Vicente (via Redonda Line, longer journey)
Sal To Boa Vista
- Price
- CVE 2,410
- Distance
- 65 km
- Duration
- ~3–4 hours
- Frequency
- Several times per month (weather-dependent)
Sal To Sao Nicolau
- Price
- CVE 2,890
- Distance
- ~135 km
- Duration
- ~6+ hours
- Frequency
- Several times per month
- Note
- Higher end of estimate due to distance
Day Trip Access
- Pedra De Lume Salt Crater
- Accessible by taxi from Espargos or Santa Maria (~2–3€ from town).
- Nearby Islands
- Boa Vista accessible by ferry (~4 hours, ~25€) or domestic flight (~30 min, ~50€). São Nicolau reachable by ferry (~6+ hours) or flight.
- Note
- Most visitors day-trip to Pedra de Lume salt lake and crater. Multi-day island-hopping requires ferry or flight booking in advance.
Domestic Flights
- Operator
- Cabo Verde Airlines (primary domestic carrier); CVsky also operates
- Frequency
- 4 domestic flights from Sal regularly; several flights daily to major islands
- Booking Advice
- Book 3–4 weeks in advance during peak season (small aircraft, limited seats). Schedules often released only weeks ahead.
- Flight Duration
- 20–50 minutes depending on destination
Pricing
- Typical Short Flight
- CVE 4,800
Routes From Sal
- Sal to Praia (Santiago)
- Sal to São Vicente
- Sal to Boa Vista
- Sal to São Nicolau (seasonal, July–October)
Ground Transport On Sal
Taxis
- Color
- Light blue and yellow
- Availability
- Widely available in towns (Espargos, Santa Maria)
- Typical Fare
- CVE 300
- Notes
- In-town rides; negotiate in advance. No meters; fixed prices standard.
Cycling
- Note
- Ideal for leisurely exploration of coastal areas and nearby attractions.
- Description
- Bike rentals available; Sal is flat with good road conditions.
Car Rental
- Typical Daily Rate
- CVE 4,800
- Availability
- Available in Santa Maria and Espargos
- Note
- Island is flat and easily traversable in a day; good option for independent exploration.
Aluguer Minibus
- Price Example
- CVE 100
- Route Example
- Santa Maria ↔ Espargos (frequent morning Espargos→Santa Maria; afternoon return)
- Notes
- Depart when full; flexible schedules; very cheap. Hail on the road by raising hand.
- Description
- Shared minibuses (10–15 passengers) running fixed routes between main towns
Airport Ground Transport
Hiace Aluguer
- Price
- CVE 100
- Notes
- Budget option; less convenient, may require waiting for vehicle to fill.
- Description
- Shared minibus option from airport to nearby main towns
Private Transfer Services
- Typical Price Range
- CVE 4,800
- Notes
- Includes meet-and-greet, flight monitoring, luggage assistance, air-conditioned vehicles. Price varies by vehicle type.
- Description
- Pre-booked private transfers available through services like Sal Experiences, Kiwitaxi, Book a Taxi 26 Group.
Taxi Airport To Santa Maria
- Price
- CVE 1,000
- Distance And Time
- ~20–25 minutes, approximately 15 km
- Notes
- Daytime rate. No public buses at airport. Taxis widely available at arrivals; expect longer delays for overnight flights. Negotiate in advance to avoid overcharging.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Sal
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.