From the airport
São Tomé International Airport lies about 5 km north-west of the centre. Taxis meet every flight; the ride takes 10–15 minutes. There are no meters, so agree the price first — fares are commonly quoted in euros. Hotels will send a car if you ask in advance.
Getting around the city
- On foot: the fort, cathedral, market and seafront are all within about 1.5 km of each other.
- Yellow taxis: run both as shared taxis on fixed routes and as private hires. Say “aluguer” if you want the car to yourself.
- Motorbike taxis: quick and cheap for short hops; helmets are not always offered.
Onward travel from the capital
| To | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lagoa Azul & north coast | Car, tour or shared taxi to Guadalupe / Neves | 30–60 min |
| Monte Café | Car, tour or shared taxi via Trindade | 35–45 min |
| The south | Car or tour; shared taxi as far as Angolares | 1–2½ hrs |
| Príncipe | Flight from the same airport | About 35 min |
Car hire
Hire companies are based in the capital and at the main hotels. Most visitors take a car with a driver for day trips; if you self-drive, fill up in town, as fuel stations are scarce elsewhere.
