Cheap Flights to São Tomé from CA $391

Book a flight to São Tomé and you'll be landing at Dr. Francisco de Sa Carneiro Airport (OPO).

People from all around the world go through Dr. Francisco de Sa Carneiro Airport (OPO) every day. Hop off the plane, grab your bags and you'll find yourself 64 kilometres from the central São Tomé streets.

São Tomé is serviced by 32 airlines from at least 82 airports across the globe.

Air Europa and Iberia operate the largest proportion of flights to São Tomé. One of the most preferred ways to travel there is on an Air Europa flight leaving from Madrid.

Flying to somewhere new is much more fun when there aren't any stopovers to worry about. If you're making your way to São Tomé, the fantastic news is that there are around 757 direct flights operating each week.

Flights to São Tomé from Madrid, Paris and Lisbon District airports are the most popular.

If it's Madrid you're departing, you'll be midair for around 1 hour and 17 minutes before you touchdown in São Tomé. Airport to airport from Paris takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and from Lisbon District, it's 59 minutes.

We've all come across those fortunate jet-setters who manage to pick up impossibly cheap fares whenever they fly. Want to know how to do it for your São Tomé vacation? Don't wait until the very last minute to secure your flight. Also, shop around and compare your options. If your destination has multiple airports, you may be able to score a great price by flying into a smaller terminal. Lastly, another simple way to save a few dollars is be ready to book fast. If you spot an amazing deal, don't hold off — grab it while you've got the chance.

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as stress-free as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be zooming through the airport and discovering São Tomé in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a few magazines. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Pointed or sharp objects, like your pocket knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and fuels, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

The trick is to be prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to São Tomé in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Be sure to have your passport and boarding pass at hand. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Travelling with a new perfume or cologne? As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you're allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.