Essential Arrival Tips
Before you travel, when you land, and how to start smoothly
Planning your first trip to Angola? This guide helps you prepare before departure and handle your arrival in Luanda with more confidence, from documents and internet to money and transport.
Whether you are visiting Angola for business, adventure, or to see friends and family, arriving in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially on a first trip to the African continent.
This page covers what to do before and after landing at Luanda’s new international airport, so your arrival feels more organised, practical and stress-free.
Make sure your passport is:
- Valid for at least 6 months
- In good condition
- With at least one blank page for the entry stamp
Angola requires travellers aged 9 months and over to present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.
- Also called the Yellow Card or International Certificate of Vaccination.
- It should be signed and stamped by an official medical authority.
- Without it, you may be refused entry or required to vaccinate at the airport, which can cause delays.
Visa-free entry applies to citizens of 98 countries, up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year.
- If your country is on the list, print Presidential Decree No. 189/23 and highlight your country.
- This can be useful at immigration or even at departure if airline staff are not fully updated.
Have the main ride-hailing apps used in Luanda ready, including T’Leva, Kubinga, Heetch, UGO, Yango and inDrive.
- Offline translation is useful, as Portuguese is the main language.
- Offline navigation also helps, as mobile data can be patchy on arrival.
It is common not to find a working local SIM immediately on arrival. A global eSIM lets you land with internet already working.
Popular options include Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi and Nomad. If your phone does not support eSIM, a physical international SIM can also be worth considering.
Most commercial passenger flights now operate from the Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (IATA: NBJ), located about 42 km from Luanda’s city centre.
The old Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (IATA: LAD) is no longer the main airport for regular commercial passenger flights and is typically used for private, executive, or charter operations.
Tip: always double-check your ticket for the airport code, especially if your booking is older.
Reminder: some visas or residence pathways require registration within 30 days after arrival, so check your entry conditions.
Short overview to help you land ready.
You will need it to:
- Call a ride
- Check directions
- Contact your hotel or Airbnb
Have some kwanzas for taxis, snacks or SIM cards.
- Use ATMs inside the airport, though international fees may apply.
- Use a currency exchange booth, though rates may be weaker.
- Tip: if possible, wait and exchange in the city, where rates are often better.
You may find kiosks in arrivals such as Unitel, Movicel and Africell. If not, malls often have SIMs and the process is usually smoother and sometimes cheaper.
All transport information here refers to the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, around 40 km from central Luanda.
Need help with airport transport, accommodation, local SIM, or general guidance? You can contact a trusted local travel agent.
Contact: 00244 943 130 500 (WhatsApp available)
Note: Paid services, with costs varying by request.
Angola is welcoming and beautiful, but like anywhere, preparation is key. A little planning before arrival can make the whole experience much smoother.