Cape VerdeSal, Cape VerdeWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

Birmingham to Sal, Cape Verde for Winter Sun

Sal is one of the warmest winter sun options within a direct flight of the Midlands, with mid-20s temperatures, a long white beach at Santa Maria and steady trade winds. This guide covers direct flights from Birmingham and nearby airports, the pre-registration you need before you go, getting to Santa Maria and what to do on the island.

24–25°CTypical January daytime highs
Sal (SID)Direct from Birmingham with TUI
~6hDirect flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Birmingham to Sal with TUI, about 5h 45m–6h 10m, usually twice a week in winter. Register online with Cape Verde's EASE system and pay the airport security fee at least 5 days before you arrive. From the airport it's about 20 minutes to Santa Maria by taxi (roughly €15) or on your package transfer.

Winter sun essentials

Sal is flat, dry and breezy, and nearly everything happens around Santa Maria in the south.

Weather

January highs are usually around 24–25°C, with evenings near 19–20°C, very little rain and 8–9 hours of sunshine a day. The sea is around 23–24°C. North-easterly trade winds blow most days from about November to May, so it rarely feels hot but you can burn quickly.

Before you go

British citizens can visit visa-free for up to 30 days, but must pre-register on the official EASE platform (ease.gov.cv) at least 5 days before arrival and pay the airport security fee (TSA), usually quoted as CVE 3,400, about €31. From 1 July 2026, travellers who haven't pre-registered pay double at the border. Your passport needs at least 6 months left from arrival. TUI packages may include the fee, so check your booking, and check GOV.UK travel advice for the latest rules.

Kitesurfing

Sal is a major kitesurf spot. Winds are typically 15–25 knots and are most reliable from December to February. Kite Beach, east of Santa Maria, suits all levels and has schools; Ponta Preta in the west is for experts only.

Good to know

Cape Verde is one hour behind the UK in winter. The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), but euros are widely accepted in Santa Maria; carry some cash for taxis and aluguer minibuses.

Every way to get there

From Birmingham to Sal, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly direct from Birmingham with TUI

Best for most
Door to door7–8h
£ Cost££
Best forMidlands travellers and package holidays
  1. Birmingham (BHX) to Sal (SID)About 5h 45m–6h 10m direct. TUI flies the route, usually around twice a week in winter, on its own and as part of package holidays. Fares vary a lot by date, and Christmas and February half-term are the most expensive. Check current schedules.
  2. Airport to Santa MariaPackage holidays include a transfer. Otherwise, taxis wait outside arrivals: about 20 minutes and roughly €12–€18, cash, so agree the fare first. Many hotels and apartments will arrange a pickup if you ask.
Compare BHX–SID flightsTransfer options: Sal Airport → Santa Maria

If you book flight-only, the airport security fee isn't included, so pay it when you register on EASE.

2

Fly from Manchester with easyJet or TUI

Door to door9–10h
£ Cost£
Best forMore dates and flight-only fares
  1. Birmingham to Manchester AirportAround 1h 30m–2h by car on the M6, or by train with a change at Manchester Piccadilly.
  2. Manchester (MAN) to Sal (SID)About 6h–6h 15m direct. easyJet and TUI both fly the route, with easyJet usually several times a week in winter. Check current schedules.
  3. Airport to Santa MariaAbout 20 minutes by taxi, roughly €12–€18.
Train times: Birmingham New Street → Manchester AirportCompare MAN–SID flights

Handy if the twice-weekly Birmingham flights don't fit your dates.

3

Fly from Bristol or Gatwick

Door to door9–11h
£ Cost£
Best forSouthern Midlands and extra choice
  1. Birmingham to Bristol or GatwickBristol Airport is about 1h 30m–2h by car via the M5. Gatwick is about 2h 30m–3h by car, or by train via London.
  2. Bristol (BRS) or Gatwick (LGW) to Sal (SID)About 5h 45m–6h 10m direct. easyJet and TUI both have flights from Bristol and Gatwick; check which run on your dates.
  3. Airport to Santa MariaAbout 20 minutes by taxi, roughly €12–€18.
Compare BRS–SID flightsCompare LGW–SID flights
4

Change in Lisbon

Door to door10–14h
£ Cost££
Best forDates with no direct flight
  1. Birmingham (BHX) to Lisbon (LIS)About 2h 50m. easyJet and Ryanair fly a few times a week. Check current schedules.
  2. Lisbon (LIS) to Sal (SID)About 4h. TAP Air Portugal, Cabo Verde Airlines and easyJet fly from Lisbon to Sal.
  3. Airport to Santa MariaAbout 20 minutes by taxi.
Compare BHX–LIS flights

Separate tickets on low-cost airlines won't protect you if the first flight is late, so leave a long gap or book through on one ticket.

Where to stay in Santa Maria, Sal

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Santa Maria, Sal

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly direct from Birmingham with TUI7–8h££Midlands travellers and package holidays
Fly from Manchester with easyJet or TUI9–10h£More dates and flight-only fares
Fly from Bristol or Gatwick9–11h£Southern Midlands and extra choice
Change in Lisbon10–14h££Dates with no direct flight

Where to stay and what to do

Most visitors stay in Santa Maria and do day trips across the island, which is only about 30 km long.

Your base

Santa Maria

The main resort, on a long white-sand beach with calm water by the pier and most of the island's hotels, bars and kite schools. About 20 minutes from the airport.

Hotels in Santa Maria, Sal
About 30 min by road

Pedra de Lume salt crater

Float in hypersaline pools inside an old volcanic crater, reached through a tunnel. Entry is about €6, cash only; it opens daily from about 09:00, and going early beats the tour groups. Many half-day tours combine it with Shark Bay.

Hotels in Santa Maria, Sal
East coast

Shark Bay

Wade in shallow water to watch young lemon sharks. Most people go on a short guided tour (around €25); bring or rent water shoes as the ground is rocky.

Hotels in Santa Maria, Sal
Short hop

Boa Vista

Sal's neighbour has bigger, emptier beaches and dunes. Short domestic flights and a few weekly ferries (around 3–4 hours, weather permitting) link the two; check current operators. TUI also has direct flights from Birmingham to Boa Vista if you'd rather start there.

Hotels in Boa Vista, Cape Verde

Local tip: The wind is usually strongest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so plan beach time for early or late in the day if you find it too breezy.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Are there direct flights from Birmingham to Sal?

Yes. TUI flies direct from Birmingham to Sal, usually around twice a week in winter, taking about 6 hours. easyJet and TUI also fly from Manchester, Bristol and Gatwick. Check current schedules.

Do I need a visa for Cape Verde from the UK?

No visa is needed for stays of up to 30 days, but you must pre-register on the official EASE platform at least 5 days before arrival and pay the airport security fee (about CVE 3,400, roughly €31). Check GOV.UK travel advice for the latest rules before you travel.

How warm is Sal in winter?

Daytime highs are usually around 24–25°C from December to February, with a sea temperature of about 23–24°C and almost no rain. It is often windy.

How do I get from Sal airport to Santa Maria?

Package holidays include a transfer. Otherwise take a taxi, about 20 minutes and roughly €12–€18 in cash. There's no airport bus, though cheap shared aluguer minibuses run along the main road between Espargos and Santa Maria.

Is Sal too windy for a beach holiday?

It's breezy most winter days, which keeps the heat comfortable and makes it great for kitesurfing. Kitesurfers stick to Kite Beach and other spots outside town, so the main Santa Maria beach stays pleasant for swimming and sunbathing.

Can I visit Boa Vista from Sal?

Yes. The islands are linked by short domestic flights and a ferry a few times a week, though crossings depend on the weather. Check current timetables before planning a day trip.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.