Cheap flights to Maputo
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Maputo and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
Mozambique
Continent
Africa
Airport
MPM
Currency
Mozambican metical (MZN)
Time zone
UTC+2 (CAT)
Deals already spotted to Maputo
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Why track Maputo with SniperAir
A capital on the Indian Ocean that is easier to track than to compare
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Maputo, formerly Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It sits on Maputo Bay in the far south of the country, within 120 km of the borders with South Africa and Eswatini, according to Wikipedia (EN). The city has a little over a million people in the 2017 census and about 2.7 million together with neighbouring Matola (Wikipedia EN, DE). Wikipedia (EN) describes an attractive, slightly faded city with wide avenues lined with jacaranda and acacia trees, and Wikivoyage (EN) says the mood is at times as South American as African, with few tourists. People come for the Portuguese-era and Modernist buildings, the markets, the seafood and the bay on the doorstep. Fares to MPM swing a lot with the season and with connections via Johannesburg or Lisbon, so following the route with SniperAir lets you wait for a real drop instead of checking prices every day.
Airport and getting into town
An airport 3 km from the centre, served mostly from within Africa
Maputo – International Airport (MPM)
Maputo International Airport (MPM), also known as Mavalane, lies about 3 km northwest of the city centre, according to Wikipedia (EN, FR). It is the largest airport in Mozambique. A new international terminal opened on 15 November 2010, with a stated capacity of 900,000 passengers a year (Wikipedia EN, DE). Most destinations are in Africa; Wikipedia (FR) also lists Lisbon, and several sources mention connections via Johannesburg. Wikivoyage (DE) notes there is no direct flight from German-speaking countries and suggests Johannesburg as an alternative gateway.
Distance from Wikipedia (EN, FR): about 3 km between the airport and the centre. Travel time depends on traffic and is not given by the sources; we do not quote taxi fares, which are negotiated and change.
From the airport it is a short ride: taxis have no meters, so agree the fare before getting in (Wikivoyage EN, DE), and some hotels send a shuttle. From South Africa the N4 highway links the Ressano Garcia border post with Maputo over about 101 km, roughly two hours according to Wikivoyage (DE), and Wikivoyage (EN) mentions a daily train from the border. Border formalities and visas depend on your nationality: check the official sites.
Landmarks
Cathedral, fortress, station and churches: Portuguese and Modernist heritage
The centre of Maputo can be walked in a day, from the lower town to the fortress. The five places below are illustrated; others, such as the 1947 City Hall on Independence Square, are described in text only.
The cathedral from above
Completed in 1944 according to Wikivoyage (EN), the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Catholic church in the city. Its slender bell tower rises above the centre and works as a landmark from the bay to the avenues of the upper town.
The forecourt and facade
Seen head-on, the cathedral shows its white vertical lines, its steps and its balustrades. Wikipedia (EN) lists these buildings among the city's landmarks, alongside City Hall and the railway station.
Maputo Fortress
The remains of a Portuguese fortress from the late 18th century (1781 per Wikipedia EN, 1785 per Wikivoyage EN). The brown stone walls, framed by palm trees and flower beds, now stand beside statues from the colonial era that Wikipedia (FR) says were moved here after independence.
Santo António da Polana church
Wikivoyage (EN) presents it as an emblem of Modernist architecture in the region, built in 1962. Its tent-like concrete roof with angular planes is unlike any other church in the city.
The steam locomotive at the station
The central station on Workers' Square was built between 1908 and 1916 according to Wikipedia (FR). Wikivoyage (EN) points out that it is sometimes wrongly credited to Gustave Eiffel. A steam locomotive is displayed in the courtyard, in front of a green facade.
Other places mentioned: the Iron House of 1892 (Wikipedia FR), the small Tunduru Botanical Gardens, the Central Market in the lower town, and the work of Pancho Guedes, an architect whose surreal buildings Wikivoyage (EN) says should not be missed. Statues of Samora Machel stand on Independence Square and in front of Tunduru gardens, according to Wikivoyage (DE).
Museums and culture
Natural history, Mozambican art and money
The Natural History Museum
Wikipedia (FR) calls it the pride of the city in Portuguese times, with a collection of elephant embryos, while Wikivoyage (EN) mentions stuffed animals, full-size elephant models and wood carvings. It stands on Travessia do Zambeze square.
The National Art Museum
Wikivoyage (EN, FR) describes a small but good collection of Mozambican art, including large canvases by Malangatana. Wikipedia (EN, DE) adds that Malangatana Ngwenya and Alberto Chissano began their careers at the Nucleo de Arte, the country's oldest artists' collective, housed in an old villa in the centre.
Money and history
The currency museum is in the Casa Amarela, probably the oldest building in the city (about 1787, according to Wikivoyage EN). Wikipedia (FR) also lists a Revolution museum and a Chissano museum, and Wikipedia (DE) a military museum and the Avenida theatre. We do not quote admission prices.
Food and drink
Seafood, grilled chicken and a mix of cuisines
A Portuguese, African and Indian blend
According to Wikivoyage (EN, ES), local cooking mixes African, Portuguese, Middle Eastern and Indian/Pakistani influences, served in different parts of town. Market dishes are built on a starch, rice or xima (maize porridge), a piece of meat and plenty of sauce, such as peanut curry or tomato stew.
Fish and prawns
Wikivoyage (EN) recommends the seafront fish market: you pick prawns, crab, squid or fish from the stalls and have them cooked in one of the small restaurants behind. Grilled chicken and prawns are classics in the restaurants of the centre.
Cashews and markets
Cashew nuts, the country's second export according to Wikivoyage (EN), are sold roasted everywhere. The Central Market in the lower town is described as lively and recommended. Drink bottled water, as the tap water is not drinkable.
Getting around
Chapas, taxis and crossing the bay
In the centre
The centre can be walked by day, according to Wikivoyage (EN); avoid the business district at night. Wikivoyage (DE) notes that many pavements are in poor condition and some drain covers are missing, so watch your step.
Chapas, buses and taxis
Minibus "chapas" carry most trips (Wikipedia EN), but Wikivoyage (EN, DE) describes them as overcrowded and not very safe. Taxis generally have no meter, so settle the price first. Wikipedia (EN) also mentions three-wheelers called "tchopelas", and there are municipal buses.
Catembe and Inhaca
Catembe, across the bay, and Inhaca island are the classic outings. Wikipedia (FR) mentions a bridge between Maputo and Catembe, while Wikivoyage (EN) still talks about the ferry: check how to cross when you go.
Budget and precautions
Budget, health and safety
Price level
Maputo is not a cheap place to sleep: Wikivoyage (DE) finds accommodation relatively expensive for the quality, while shared transport and market meals stay affordable. The currency is the metical (MZN). We do not publish amounts, as we could not confirm them on two current sources.
Flights
SniperAir tracks prices to MPM and compares them with the route's real history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Consider also watching Johannesburg, a frequent gateway from Europe.
Health
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre for advice before you leave. Malaria is present in Mozambique and Wikivoyage (EN) calls prophylaxis essential throughout the country; also protect yourself from mosquitoes and sun, and drink bottled water.
Safety
Official advice differs from one country of departure to another: read your own government's before booking, especially since some northern regions of Mozambique are covered by stricter advice than the south. In Maputo, Wikivoyage (EN) reports frequent pickpocketing and advises against walking alone at night; keep a copy of your passport.
When to go
Tropical savanna: wet summers, dry winters
November to March
The hot, wet season according to Wikipedia (FR, ES): most rain falls in the southern summer, with muggy heat.
April to October
The dry season, cooler according to Wikipedia (ES), with less rain: pleasant for walking the city and visiting museums.
Wikipedia (FR) describes a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) that owes its relative mildness to the Agulhas Current despite lying south of the Tropic of Capricorn; Wikipedia (ES) says the hottest period runs from November to March. We do not give temperature or rainfall figures, as we could not cross-check them on two sources.
By length of stay
What to do in Maputo, by length of stay
The centre and lower town
The cathedral, the fortress, the station, the Central Market and the Natural History Museum.
Museums, art and waterfront
Add the National Art Museum, the Nucleo de Arte, Polana church and a seafood meal facing the bay.
The bay and the south
A day in Catembe or on Inhaca, or the beaches and dive sites of the south such as Ponta do Ouro, mentioned by Wikivoyage (EN), with formalities to check.
In pictures
Maputo in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Maputo
How far is Maputo airport from the city centre?
Maputo International Airport (MPM) is about 3 km northwest of the city centre, according to Wikipedia (EN, FR). Taxis generally have no meter, so agree the price before setting off.
What are the must-sees in Maputo?
The cathedral, the fortress, the central station, the Central Market and the Natural History Museum, then the Modernist Polana church and the National Art Museum. Trips to Catembe and Inhaca island round off a stay.
Is Maputo safe?
Wikivoyage (EN) reports frequent pickpocketing and advises against walking alone at night. Official advice varies by country of departure and some northern regions of Mozambique are treated more cautiously: read your own government's advice before booking.
What health precautions should I take?
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before you leave: malaria (prophylaxis is called essential by Wikivoyage EN), bottled water, protection against mosquitoes and sun, and vaccines depending on where you travel from.
When is the best time to go to Maputo?
The dry season, April to October, is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing; the hot, wet season runs from November to March. Track prices in advance: they depend on the period and on connections.
How much does a flight to Maputo usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Maputo drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Maputo (MPM) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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