Getting around
Getting around São Tomé
Every way to move around São Tomé island compared: private driver-guide, taxi, shared yellow taxis, hire car, and what each realistically costs in time.
Most visitors hire a driver-guide by the day. Self-drive works for confident drivers, taxis cover the capital, and shared taxis are possible on a tight budget if you have time and some Portuguese.
Distances are short, journeys are not
São Tomé island is only around 50 km from north to south, but roads wind along the coast and up into the hills, surfaces vary, and you will want to stop. Plan in hours, not kilometres. As a working estimate, allow two to three hours of driving from the capital to the far south around Porto Alegre, longer with stops. We confirm current times with drivers before each trip.
Your options
Private driver-guide
The default for most visitors, and what we usually arrange. One person handles the driving, the route, translation and local knowledge. Full-day private tours on public booking platforms were listed at roughly US$100–120 per person in October 2026; multi-day hire for a family or group is priced differently.
Self-drive
Hire is through local firms; international chains are not established here. Expect older vehicles and check insurance terms carefully. You need an International Driving Permit. Avoid driving after dark. Read our 4x4 guide first.
Taxis
The capital’s yellow taxis are easy to find. Agree the price before setting off. For longer trips, a taxi driver can sometimes be hired by the day, but vehicles and English vary.
Shared taxis and minibuses
Cheap, local and slow. Useful between towns on the main roads, less so for trailheads and remote beaches. Cash in dobras only.
Hotel transfers
Many lodges, especially in the south and on Príncipe, arrange their own transfers. Convenient, and often the only practical option for remote properties.
Also asked
Quick answers
Is there public transport on São Tomé?
Yes, in the form of shared taxis and minibuses on the main routes. They are cheap and cash-only, but slow, irregular to remote areas and hard to use without Portuguese. Travellers who used them describe it as workable but much slower than a private driver.
Are there ride-hailing apps?
International ride-hailing apps do not operate on Príncipe, and we are not aware of any reliable one on São Tomé. Use taxis with an agreed fare, or ask your hotel to call one.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
São Tomé airport is on the edge of the capital, a short drive from the centre. Most hotels arrange transfers, and taxis wait for arrivals. Agree the fare before you get in.
Plan with a person
Want this arranged for you?
Send your dates and what you want from the trip. We reply with practical options, the guides we would choose for you, what is confirmed and what is not, and a clear total price.
No payment to ask. Nothing is booked until you confirm a written quote.
Keep planning
Sources consulted (things change quickly here; if you have newer information, tell us):