Flying from Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport is 1 hour 25 minutes.
The timezone in Praia is UTC-1, which is one hour behind Dakar.
Flights from DSS to RAI start from 08:00 — the first with Air Senegal. The last service of the day is at 19:00 with Air Senegal. Overall, there are seven weekly Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport flights.
To ensure you get on your DSS to RAI flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
With direct flights from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport available through various airlines, flying to Praia (and then other destinations in Cape Verde) is easy. Here's who you can fly nonstop with:
Air Senegal has the highest passenger demand on this route.
We make it simple to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Top stopovers between DSS and RAI include:
Amilcar Cabral International Airport
Osvaldo Vieira Airport
Mohamed V International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
R 4,123 is the best price for a one-way Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport flight. A return flight starts at R 6,472. These fares may change depending on demand.
Book six months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from DSS to RAI.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport. If you prefer to fly during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from DSS to RAI by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Discover the ideal flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Handy information about Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
When it comes to Blaise Diagne International Airport's on-time performance, 66.96% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Central Dakar to Blaise Diagne International Airport is approximately 64 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 1 hour 5 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Booked an early flight from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport? Stay somewhere near DSS, such as Studio Meublé. KËR Mouna will also put you moments from the check-in counter.
Arriving at Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Consider staying in a hotel close to RAI if you're taking a late Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport flight. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Hit the road running by picking up a Nelson Mandela International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Fernando Rent a Car, Route 238 or Alucar to explore Praia and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Nelson Mandela International Airport about two weeks in advance gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
Getting from Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) to central Praia
Nelson Mandela International Airport is approximately 5 kilometres from the centre of Praia. Driving there takes about 5 minutes.
When to fly to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport. June is the busiest month to head to Praia. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
When reserving your flight from Blaise Diagne International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport, think about the type of weather you enjoy. October is the warmest month in Praia, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from DSS to RAI in March. Temperatures average between 19ºC (66ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) then.
Explore more of Cape Verde
Praia has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Cape Verde waiting to be discovered. Around 274 kilometres north-west of Praia, a trip to Mindelo will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like Praça PMI-PE, Praça Dom Luís and Fort with cannons.
Around 193 kilometres north of Praia, Santa Maria is another essential stop in Cape Verde. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Reserva Natural de Costa da Fragata, Black Beach and Ponta de Vera Cruz Lighthouse.