Flying from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI): what you need to know
London has many airports to leave from. Explore your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when planning your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI). Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the city's other main bases.
Praia is 1 hour behind London. Nelson Mandela International Airport is located in Praia, which operates on the UTC-1 timezone.
To ensure you catch your flight from London to RAI, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Whether you'd prefer to explore a new city on the way or just take a break, we make it easy to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL) is a stop you can make during your flight from London to RAI.
The distance from central London to LHR is roughly 19 miles. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the fastest way to get there, whether you prefer to drive or use public transport.
After a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Break up your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport with a stop at Mohamed V International Airport (CMN). A major stopover between London Gatwick Airport and RAI, it's a great opportunity to enjoy some downtime before continuing your journey.
LGW is about 50 miles from central London. It'll take 1 hour and 19 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from London to RAI, stay in one of these hotels close to London Gatwick Airport:
About Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
If you're coming in on a late flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near RAI:
Getting from Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) to central Praia
Nelson Mandela International Airport to the centre of Praia is about 7 minutes in a car. It's approximately 3 miles away. Find out what options are available, such as cabs, car rentals or ride-sharing services.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport is £152. The cheapest price for a return flight is £330. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
We suggest booking as soon as you can to get cheap tickets from London to RAI. You're more likely to score a great deal and enjoy a larger selection of flight times and dates.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across each month when searching for your ticket from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport.
Locking in a cheap ticket from London to RAI couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
The best time to fly from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
June is the most popular month to hop on a flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport while April is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Praia, consider whether you like a lively atmosphere or a quieter vibe.
When booking your flight from London to RAI, think about the type of weather you enjoy. October is the warmest month in Praia, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC to 30ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport in March when temperatures average between 19ºC and 26ºC.
More about Praia
After booking your flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Praia:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Praia de Gamboa Beach, Praia City Hall and Sucupira Market are must-visits when exploring Praia.
Complete your Praia trip with a car rental
Close all those tabs and let us do the hard work for you. We've also got awesome deals on car rentals in Praia once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from London to Nelson Mandela International Airport. Instantly compare prices in one place and drive away with the perfect rental for less.