Flying from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI): What you need to know
You can select from multiple airports when planning your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI). Explore your options for flying out of London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also service London.
The timezone in Praia is UTC-1, which is one hour behind London. Nelson Mandela International Airport is located in Praia.
Leave enough time to make your flight from London to RAI. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're taking off during a bank holiday or other peak period, give yourself more time. Arrive two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at check-in and security will be longer.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You might be able to make your cheap flight from London to RAI even cheaper by adding a stopover. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search to explore stopover cities along the route. Mohamed V International Airport (CMN) is an option when departing from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
The journey from central London to LHR takes about 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 31 kilometres in 55 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a comfortable hotel close to London Heathrow Airport? If you've booked an early flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
68.18% of flights departing from London Heathrow Airport reach their destination on schedule.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Add another location to your travels or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, check out these options when taking off from London Gatwick Airport:
Mohamed V International Airport (CMN)
Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL)
Amilcar Cabral International Airport (SID)
LGW is about 80 kilometres from central London. It takes 1 hour 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Catching the earliest flight? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your London to RAI flight:
69.26% of all departures from London Gatwick Airport arrive according to schedule.
Stansted Airport (STN)
From central London, STN is around 64 kilometres away. It takes roughly 1 hour to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 25 minutes or so on public transport.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay close to Stansted Airport and know you'll reach your boarding gate with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early London to Nelson Mandela International Airport flight:
Flights departing from STN make it to their destination as scheduled 64.73% of the time.
About Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
If you have a late flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near RAI:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Nelson Mandela International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Fernando Rent a Car, Route 238 or Alucar and find adventure across Praia and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride around two weeks before your London to Nelson Mandela International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
R 4,133 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport. A return flight starts at R 7,951. These prices can change depending on availability.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from London to RAI if you book early. Airlines often have some amazing early bird rates.
If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when searching for your London to Nelson Mandela International Airport ticket.
Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from London to RAI by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Filters make it easier to snap up a deal on your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and number of stops that work for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
April is the quietest month for flights from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI), while June is the busiest. Work out the best time to visit Praia based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Praia is October, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your London to RAI plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap tickets from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport in March if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Praia
After booking your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, find a hotel that's got location and comfort covered. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Praia:
You'll find plenty of exciting things to do in Praia when you're ready to sightsee. Head straight for Prainha Beach followed by Praia de Gamboa Beach and Farol de D. Maria Pia.
Explore more of Cape Verde
Praia has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Cape Verde waiting to be explored. About 274 kilometres north-west of Praia, a trip to Mindelo will keep your itinerary packed. Start with popular sights like Torre de Belem, Piscinas Naturais da Fajã Grande and Praia da Laginha.
Around 193 kilometres north of Praia, Santa Maria is another essential stop in Cape Verde. Start your sightseeing at Scuba Team Cabo Verde - Diving Club, Ponta Preta Beach and Kite Beach Coastline.