Flights to Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is one of West Africa's least-visited corners: a small, Portuguese-speaking nation of tidal mangroves, faded colonial streets and the remarkable Bijagós islands. It suits travellers who genuinely want somewhere off the beaten track, with warm, welcoming people and almost no crowds. Because visitor numbers are low, flights are limited and a little planning goes a long way. This page brings together the practical detail UK travellers need, alongside the live fare data shown above.
Best time to fly to Guinea-Bissau
The dry season runs roughly from November to May and is the most comfortable time to visit, with lower humidity and dependable sunshine. November to February brings the coolest, driest conditions and is ideal for the islands and wildlife. The rains arrive around June and last into October, when travel around the country becomes harder and some boat trips pause. Airfares largely follow European demand for the connecting legs, so check the When to book chart above to see how prices are moving before you commit.
Main gateway cities and airports
Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in the capital, Bissau, is the country's only international gateway and where virtually all UK travellers arrive. It is a compact airport about 9km from the city centre, with a short taxi transfer into town. Depending on your routing you will also pass through a connecting hub such as Lisbon, Casablanca or Dakar, so factor that layover into your day.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights between the UK and Guinea-Bissau, so every itinerary involves at least one change. The most established option is TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon, which has the widest choice of dates. Royal Air Maroc connects through Casablanca, and Air Senegal links Bissau with Dakar. From London you would typically fly to the hub with TAP, British Airways or Royal Air Maroc, then continue to Bissau. Allow roughly 9 to 13 hours in total from London depending on the connection, and a little more from Manchester, usually routing via Lisbon.
Popular places to visit in Guinea-Bissau
- Bijagós Archipelago: a UNESCO biosphere reserve of scattered islands with empty beaches, rich birdlife and living island traditions.
- Orango National Park: famous for its rare salt-water hippos, reached by boat from Bubaque.
- Bissau Velho: the crumbling Portuguese old quarter of the capital, all pastel facades and busy markets.
- João Vieira–Poilão Marine National Park: a protected green turtle nesting site among the southern islands.
- Bolama: the atmospheric former colonial capital, now a quiet town of grand, overgrown buildings.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Guinea-Bissau
- Compare routings via Lisbon, Casablanca and Dakar rather than assuming one hub is always the cheapest.
- Fly midweek and outside UK school holidays, and use the price charts on this page to pick the better-value weeks.
- Book the long-haul leg two to four months ahead, as seats to Bissau are scarce and fill early.
- Where possible, book the connecting legs on a single ticket so your baggage and connection are protected.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa. Guinea-Bissau offers an e-visa online and a visa on arrival at Bissau airport, though arranging the e-visa in advance is smoother; a yellow fever vaccination certificate is also required. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro. This is very much a cash economy, so carry euros to exchange and do not rely on cards or ATMs. To time your booking, check the When to book chart above.
