Overview
Angola is one of Africa's most rewarding under-the-radar destinations: a vast Portuguese-speaking country on the south-west Atlantic coast, with thundering waterfalls, quiet beaches and desert that runs down to the sea. Most UK visitors travel for business, family or expedition-style touring. There are no direct flights from the UK, but a single connection through Europe or the Middle East reaches Luanda comfortably. This page shows live fares for cheap flights to Angola, so you can see how prices move before you book.
Best time to fly to Angola
The dry season, known locally as cacimbo, runs from roughly May to October and is the most comfortable time to visit: cooler, less humid and better for wildlife watching and overland travel. The wet season from November to April brings heat, humidity and heavy afternoon rains, though Kalandula Falls are at their fullest towards its end. For how fares shift across the year, check the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
Luanda is the main gateway. International flights now use the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ), opened in 2024 around 40km south of the city, while the older Quatro de Fevereiro airport handles some domestic services. Other useful airports include Catumbela (for Benguela and Lobito), Lubango, Huambo and Cabinda, served by domestic flights on TAAG Angola Airlines.
Airlines and routes
There are currently no non-stop flights between the UK and Angola, so you will connect once. Common routings from London include TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon (often with an onward leg on TAAG Angola Airlines), Lufthansa via Frankfurt, Air France via Paris, KLM via Amsterdam and Brussels Airlines via Brussels, plus Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa and Emirates via Dubai. From London, allow roughly 13 to 16 hours in total depending on the connection. Travellers from Manchester usually route through Amsterdam, Paris or Istanbul.
Popular places to visit in Angola
- Kalandula Falls: one of Africa's largest waterfalls, a vast horseshoe of cascades in Malanje province.
- Miradouro da Lua: wind-carved Viewpoint of the Moon cliffs, an easy drive south of Luanda.
- Kissama (Quiçama) National Park: Angola's most accessible safari, with elephants and antelope near the coast.
- Tundavala Gap: a dramatic escarpment plunging away from the highlands near Lubango.
- Benguela & Lobito: relaxed port cities with sandy bays and excellent fresh seafood.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Angola
- Stay flexible on your European hub, as Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt fares can differ sharply for the same dates.
- Fly midweek and avoid December, when demand from the Angolan diaspora peaks.
- Book two to three months ahead for dry-season travel between May and October, the busiest window.
- Compare the price charts on this page and build your dates around the cheaper troughs.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa. An e-visa can be arranged online before travel, and in recent years a short-stay tourist visa on arrival has been available to many nationalities, including UK citizens; confirm the current rules with the Angolan immigration authorities and the FCDO before booking. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. The currency is the Angolan kwanza (AOA); Angola runs largely on cash, US dollars are handy to carry and card acceptance is limited outside major hotels. To time your booking, use the price charts on this page.
