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RAI Praia International Airport

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

Praia International Airport (RAI) serves Praia, about 2 km east of Praia. Below: trains and buses from the terminal, an estimated taxi fare to town and nearby cities, where you can fly from here, and hotels nearby.

IATARAI
ICAOGVNP
ServesPraia
From centre2 km
Non-stop15
Airlines6
TimezoneAtlantic/Cape Verde
Elevation70 m

See on map ↗

The airport in numbers

Praia International Airport — facts & history

We pulled Praia International Airport's numbers from the open aviation datasets — 669,697 passengers in 2024.

Opened
1961
65 years ago
Passengers / year
669,697
as of 2024
Elevation
70 מ׳
above sea level
Operator
Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea
Passengers per year, 2010–2024

Figures: Wikidata (CC0)

Airport to city

Getting from Praia International Airport to Praia

The airport is about 2 km east of Praia, about 10 minutes by road in normal traffic.

Train & bus: Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.

Taxi & apps: Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.

Tipping: Rounding up is accepted almost everywhere.

Transport guidance is generic for this country — check exact details on the airport's own site.

Way inTime to centreCost
Train / bus~15 mincheapestCHEAPEST
Taxi~10 minmetered
Private transfer~10 minfixed upfront
Car rental~10 min + חניהfrom the terminal
Distances

From RAI to nearby cities

Estimated drive times in normal traffic, and an approximate taxi fare at the local tariff. A pre-booked transfer is usually cheaper.

DestinationDistanceDriveTaxi (est.)
Assomada28 km40 min—
Choose and book

Which way suits you from Praia International Airport

Taxi

Cheapest for a short trip, one or two people.

Private transfer

Fixed price upfront, driver with a sign. For a late arrival, bags, kids or a group.

Car rental

If you're touring the region. Desks in the terminal, booking ahead beats the counter.

Train or bus is usually the cheapest — details above.

Book your airport transfer in Praia, Santiago Island ahead, no terminal surprises.

Route network

Where you can fly from Praia International Airport

Non-stop flights to about 15 destinations, operated by 6 airlines. The busiest routes:

Airlines here: TACV · Royal Air Maroc · Senegal Airlines · TAAG Angola Airlines · Binter Canarias · TAP Portugal

At the airport

Left luggage & lost and found at Praia International Airport

Most large airports offer left-luggage inside the terminal, usually by the hour or day and with a size limit. A common, cheaper alternative: in-city storage points near stations and sights — handy for an early arrival before check-in, or after check-out.

Something lost in the terminal is handled by the airport's lost-and-found office (usually near baggage claim); something left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Keep your flight details, seat number and a description of the item.

Sleep nearby

Hotels near Praia International Airport

For an early connection — a hotel by the terminal saves a taxi and a headache.

Rates in Praia, Santiago Island shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Reviews — Praia International Airport

No reviews yet — be the first to share.

Airports nearby

Other options near Praia

Same country

Other airports in Cape Verde

Q&A

Answers to your questions

How do I get from Praia International Airport to the centre of Praia?
Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. The airport is about 2 km east of Praia, about 10 minutes by road.
Can I use a ride app from Praia International Airport?
Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.
What's the cheapest way from Praia International Airport to Praia?
Train or bus, almost always — usually a fraction of the taxi fare. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.
Can I get from Praia International Airport into town without a car?
Yes. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. For a late arrival or a lot of bags, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Where can I fly non-stop from Praia International Airport?
About 15 destinations, including Lisbon, Dakar, Boa Vista, Gran Canaria. 6 airlines operate here.
Can I leave luggage at the airport?
Most large airports have a left-luggage service, and there are also in-city storage points near stations and sights that are usually cheaper with no size limit.
Where is Praia International Airport's lost and found?
Items found in the terminal (not on the aircraft) are handled by the airport's lost-and-found office — usually near baggage claim or the information desks, sometimes one office per terminal. Anything left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Current contact details are on Praia International Airport's official site.
How do I know which terminal my flight leaves from at Praia International Airport?
The terminal is on your boarding pass and booking confirmation, and updates on the departure boards at the entrance. Rule of thumb: each airline works from a fixed terminal, and airlines in the same alliance are usually grouped together. With a connection, check whether you change terminals and how long that takes.
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About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Airport data: OpenFlights (ODbL) · Route network: OpenFlights routes

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