São Tomé International Airport (TMS)

São Tomé, ST 🇸🇹 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FPST

IATA

TMS

Elevation

33 ft

Region

ST-01

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: FPST

Local Code: Not available

Location: 0.378175° N, 6.71215° E

Continent: AF

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals

View incoming flights

Departures

View outgoing flights

External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

Tourist Attractions View
Hotels View
Restaurants View

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

São Tomé International Airport (TMS) elicits a mixed but generally sympathetic response from recent travelers. While many appreciate its quaint, small-scale charm and the warmth of its staff, the airport's facilities and operational efficiency often fall short of modern international standards. Travelers frequently describe the experience as a step back in time, requiring patience and adaptability.

What Travelers Love

Friendly and Approachable Staff: Numerous reviews highlight the sympathetic and friendly staff who often greet visitors with a smile, contributing positively to the overall atmosphere.
Charming, Small-Scale Experience: The airport's compact size is often seen as part of its unique character, offering a "quaint" and "charming" experience that contrasts with larger, more modern hubs.
Free Wi-Fi: The availability of free Wi-Fi is a noted positive, allowing travelers to stay connected.
Convenient Location: The airport is situated approximately 5 kilometers from the capital city, São Tomé, making for a quick and convenient drive to accommodations.
Easy Visa-on-Arrival (for eligible nationalities): Some travelers reported a very easy visa-on-arrival process for short stays, simplifying entry.

Common Complaints

Outdated and Basic Facilities: The terminal facilities are described as basic, not modern, and in need of improvement, with some comparing them unfavorably to a western railway station.
Cleanliness Issues: Toilets, in particular, frequently receive criticism for lacking cleanliness.
Slow Security and Immigration: While generally manageable, the passport control and entry procedures are often slow, with travelers advising to prepare for longer processing times. Some attribute this to manual procedures and a lack of modern technology.
Limited Food and Retail Services: Beyond a small souvenir shop and a bar/snack counter, food options are limited, with coffee shops sometimes closed.
Occasional Wi-Fi Issues: Despite being available, some travelers reported Wi-Fi not working reliably before departure.
Short Runway and Abrupt Landings: The short runway is occasionally mentioned, with some experiencing abrupt landings, though skilled pilots manage it deftly.

São Tomé International Airport offers a distinctive travel experience, characterized by its intimate size and the genuine friendliness of its staff. While travelers should arrive prepared for slower processes and more basic amenities compared to larger international airports, many find its charm and the beautiful scenery a worthwhile trade-off for experiencing this unique island nation.

Generated True weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Principe (PCP) new
Leon M'Ba Int'l (LBV) new
General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) new
Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) new
Kotoka Int'l (ACC) new
Quatro de Fevereiro (LAD) new

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 9 routes are indexed for São Tomé International Airport. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Loading... Loading routes...

Top Airlines

Operating at São Tomé International Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
Afrijet `ABS` / `J7`	2	84	2	Dec 9, 2025
STP Airways `STP` / `8F`	2	83	2	Dec 9, 2025
TAP Air Portugal `TAP` / `TP`	2	25	2	Dec 6, 2025
TAAG Angola Airlines `DTA` / `DT`	2	21	2	Dec 1, 2025
ASKY Airlines `SKK` / `KP`	1	20	1	Dec 9, 2025

Showing top 5 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`11/29`	7283 ft	148 ft	ASP	Active

Type	Description	Frequency
TWR	TWR	`118.9 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`SP`	Sao Tome	NDB	`330 kHz`
`STM`	Sao Tome	VOR-DME	`117300 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal. There are no meters, so it is essential to negotiate and agree on the fare with the driver before starting your journey. A trip to the city center of São Tomé typically costs around 150,000-200,000 Dobras (approx. €6-€8). Payment is usually made in cash.

Rental Cars

Several local car rental agencies operate at the airport, often with representatives meeting pre-booked customers in the arrivals hall. It is highly recommended to reserve a car in advance, especially during peak season. A 4x4 vehicle is advisable for exploring roads outside the main city. An International Driving Permit is often required.

Public Transportation

There is no formal, scheduled public bus service directly from the airport terminal. The most common form of public transit are shared taxis or minibuses (known as 'yé-yé') which can be flagged down on the main road near the airport. This is a very inexpensive but less convenient option, especially for travelers with luggage, as they are often crowded and do not follow a fixed schedule.

Nearby Airports

No nearby airports found within reasonable distance.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.