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Praia, Cape Verde · 3 km northeast of Praia city centre

Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)

Nelson Mandela International Airport serves Praia and the surrounding region in Cape Verde. ~0.6M (2024). Located 3 km northeast of Praia city centre, it handles domestic and international flights with 1 terminal.

Local currency
Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE / $)
Live FX rates
US dollar1 CVE = 0.0105 USD
Euro1 CVE = 0.0091 EUR
Chinese yuan1 CVE = 0.0711 CNY

Cape Verdean Escudo is the local currency at Nelson Mandela International Airport. Rates are indicative and fetched at build time.

~0.6M (2024)
Passenger volume
1
Terminal
3 km northeast of Praia city centre
From city centre
24/7
Airport operation
5+
Airlines operating

Security — what to expect

Allow enough time for identity checks, baggage screening, and boarding-pass verification at Nelson Mandela International Airport.

Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights

During busy periods, security queues and document checks can take longer than expected.

Security process flow

Arrival
Follow signs to departures and check your terminal before entering the airport.
→
Document check
Passport and boarding pass verification before screening.
→
Baggage screening
Carry-on bags and liquids are screened according to airline and airport rules.
→
Proceed to gates
Once cleared, continue to the check-in area and boarding gates.

Border control & customs

On Arrival

  1. Disembark & follow signs to "Passport Control"Terminal 3: takes ~5 min walk. Follow green "Arrivals" signs.
  2. Passport control queuesCape Verdei/EU nationals: automated eGates. Others: staffed counters. Wait times: 10–45 min peak.
  3. Baggage claimHall B (lower level). Screens show belt numbers. Usually 20–35 min after landing.
  4. CustomsGreen channel (nothing to declare) / Red channel. Random checks. Duty-free allowances: 1L spirits, 2L wine, 250g tobacco, gifts up to ₪1,000 (~$270).
  5. Exit to arrivals hallCurrency exchange, SIM cards, tourist info, car hire and taxi desks all in arrivals hall (Level 1).

Customs — what to know

Prohibited items

Fresh meat, fresh dairy, weapons replicas, certain plant products. Check Cape Verdei customs rules before packing souvenirs from abroad.

Alcohol

1L spirits + 2L wine duty-free

Tobacco

200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco

Currency

Declare cash over $10,000 (or equiv.)

Gifts

Up to ₪1,000 (~$270) duty-free

Terminal layout

Nelson Mandela International Airport has a single terminal handling domestic and international flights.

Check your boarding pass, airline app, or airport signage for the latest terminal and gate assignment before travel.

Terminal navigation

Follow airport signage for arrivals and departures. Contact your airline if you need confirmation of the check-in zone.

Check-in deadlines

Arrive early for document checks, baggage drop, and security screening. Peak travel periods may require extra time.

Getting to & from the airport

Transport options connecting Nelson Mandela International Airport to Praia and surrounding areas.

ModeDetailsDurationPrice (approx)Notes
Taxi / rideshareTaxi ~CVE 500–1,000 to cityVariesCVE 500–1,000 to cityCheck locally for current fares
Shuttle / busHotel shuttlesVariesVariesCheck locally for current fares
Car hireCar rentalVariesVariesRental desks may be available on site

Planning your journey

Allow extra time during rush hour and before major holidays. Pre-booking can be useful for early departures.

Emergency Numbers

24/7 emergency services at Nelson Mandela International Airport.

Emergency Numbers
24/7 emergency services
Emergency
112
Police
132
Ambulance
130
Fire
131

Mobile Connectivity

Local operators and SIM card options at Nelson Mandela International Airport.

Mobile Connectivity
Local operators & SIM cards
Major operators:
CVMóvel
Unitel T+
SIM card
SIM cards
Prepaid SIM cards and data bundles are typically available at airport kiosks and in city shops. Passport registration may be required depending on local rules.

Lounges

Airport lounge options at Nelson Mandela International Airport.

Premium passengers, frequent flyers, and eligible cardholders may have access to airline or third-party lounges depending on the airport.

Facilities & services

Nelson Mandela International Airport provides the passenger facilities you need before departure and on arrival.

Free Wi‑Fi

Free Wi-Fi

Duty-free

Duty-free shops

Food & drink

Cafés

Baggage

Baggage services and storage may be available.

Car hire

Car hire desks may be available in arrivals.

Accessibility

Accessibility assistance is usually available on request.

Tips by passenger type

✈️

First-time visitors

  • Keep your passport and itinerary accessible.
  • Allow extra time for check-in and security.
  • Check visa, transit, and baggage rules before travel.
🧳

Transit passengers

  • Confirm whether baggage is checked through.
  • Stay near your gate for updates.
  • Keep enough buffer for passport and security checks.
👨‍👩‍👧

Families

  • Pre-pack liquids and snacks to speed up screening.
  • Use family lanes if available.
  • Arrange stroller assistance in advance when needed.

Departure day — ideal timeline

Based on an international departure. Times are relative to scheduled departure time (T).

T − 3h
Arrive at airportRecommended for international flights. Earlier if it's a holiday, summer peak, or you have a complex travel history.
T − 2h45
Security questioning (Level 4 entrance)20–60 min depending on passenger profile. Answer calmly, have accommodation/host details ready.
T − 2h
Check-inReceive security clearance sticker. Self-service kiosks available for El Al, United, and most major carriers.
T − 1h30
Passport control + airside X-rayCape Verdei border control (departures). EasyPass users use biometric gates. Then X-ray screening.
T − 1h
Airside — duty-free, lounges, diningLarge duty-free zone. Lounges on Level 3. Plenty of restaurants and cafés.
T − 40min
Head to gateGates announced on boards. Gate security (final X-ray + personal check) at the gate itself — allow 15 min.
T − 20min
Gate security & boardingFinal security check at gate is standard for all RAI departures. Board promptly after.

Airlines & routes

RAI carriers

Royal Air Maroc
Cabo Verde Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
Transavia

International destinations

  • Regional: Frequent links to major hubs and nearby capitals where scheduled service exists.
  • International: Check airline schedules for the latest routes and seasonal services.
  • Domestic: Reliable services to the main business and tourism centres in the country.

Nearby destinations from RAI

Harare

City centre · airport to downtown transfer and business district

Great Zimbabwe

Historic ruins · day trip from Zimbabwe's heritage circuit

Victoria Falls

Iconic waterfall · domestic flight or longer road trip

Lake Kariba

Waterfront resorts · scenic travel and safari connections

Matobo Hills

Granite landscapes and heritage sites

Mana Pools

Wildlife, river safaris, and national-park travel

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. For busy airports, allow extra time.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Wi-Fi is often available in the terminal. Check the Facilities section for airport-specific details.

How do I reach the city?

Taxi, shuttle, bus, and car hire are the most common options. See the Transport section for the latest guidance.

Does Nelson Mandela International Airport have enough connections for Praia?

Use the Airlines & routes section to review current carriers and then check your airline for timetable changes.

Useful contacts

  • Airport info line: +972-9-771-7272
  • Lost & Found: +972-3-975-5555
  • Cape Verde Railways (train): *5770 or rail.co.il
  • Police (emergency): 100
  • Ambulance: 101
  • IAA official website: iaa.gov.il
  • El Al airlines: elal.com
  • Cape Verde customs info: customs.gov.il
  • Nelson Mandela International Airport train station: Level –1 (basement), Terminal 3
  • Taxi rank: Level 1, exits 2 and 5