From the airport to the city centre The Azores
As the islands are all rather small (São Miguel is the largest at 745 km²), you'll always find it easy to get to the city center from the airport, which is usually just a few minutes away. You can, of course, take a cab (which costs between €10 and €25 per journey, depending on the island); some bus lines provide connections (between €1 and €5, depending on the distance); finally, a car is your best option. All car rental companies have a counter at the airport. We strongly advise you to book your rental car in advance, especially during the summer season.
Arrival by train The Azores
Apart from the little tourist train in São Miguel, which remains anecdotal, there are no trains in the Azores!
Arrival by boat The Azores
Within the archipelago, boat services are provided by Atlanticoline (www.atlanticoline.pt). It operates year-round between the islands of the triangle (Faial, Pico and São Jorge), as well as between Flores and Corvo. Between June and September, a few additional routes are introduced, linking all the islands in the central group (Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira).
Please note that there are no longer any ferry services between São Miguel and Santa Maria, as these islands can only be reached by plane. The same applies to the western group: Flores and Corvo are linked to each other, but not to the rest of the archipelago by boat.
If you have the time and don't suffer from seasickness, the ferry may be a good option: as well as being less expensive (prices vary according to season and distance, but you can expect to pay between €4 and €100), it's sure to give you the chance to admire some specimens of cetacean life on the longer journeys, so the simple trip takes on a whole new dimension!
Public transport The Azores
Generally speaking, buses in the Azores are not really adapted to the needs of the traveler, who may be surprised by the timetables or itineraries, which are designed for islanders. However, all the islands have bus networks of varying degrees of efficiency, with São Miguel and Terceira being the most well-developed. In São Miguel, a shuttle service runs from the airport to the city center. The ANC AEROBUS company operates for €8 return, stopping at all the city's major districts. Tickets can be purchased from specialized ticket offices, information kiosks or directly from the driver.
São Miguel Bus is the app to download if you want to know the different routes and timetables of the buses criss-crossing the island.
Transportes de Santa Maria (TSM) also has an app with all Santa Maria bus schedules and routes. Information is also available on the website (https://transportesdesantamaria.com).
With a driver The Azores
Once black with green roofs, now beige, Azorean taxis are in fact "cars of place". In other words, they don't have a meter, but work by time or distance, and in this case the return trip is always included in the fare: for 10 km, you pay 20 €! When the race is long enough, you can negotiate with the driver to wait for your passengers and take them back to the starting point; the only extra charge will be for waiting. The only extra charge will be the waiting time. He will of course be upset if he has to wait all day, or if the race is very short. They know their island well and will share their island passion with you. It is always prudent to ask the price of the race before embarking, especially in Faial and São Miguel where the drivers are beginning to "continentalize". That said, many taxis have formed associations and offer tours with fixed fares.
By car The Azores
A private car is by far the best option for exploring the Azores in complete freedom. There are rental companies on all the islands, at the airports and in the "big" towns. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the summer months: the fleets are quickly saturated, and you could well find yourself at an airport with no cars to rent for the next two days! Smaller car rental companies are generally cheaper than the big names such as Autatlantis (www.autatlantis.com) or Ilha Verde (www.ilhaverde.com), but you should be aware that they generally don't offer comprehensive insurance (because they don't take out this type of policy), that they don't take American Express either (the Gold will release you from any deductible in the event of an accident), and that their vehicles can sometimes be a little old-fashioned. You can rent a category A vehicle from €20 per day. As far as driving is concerned, you normally drive on the right-hand side of the road, but with a certain amount of caution: it's said that Portuguese drivers who don't pass their driving test on the mainland come to the Azores to take it... No major problems, however, apart from speeding by some locals, and cows roaming freely on the road, which could prove dangerous for the unfocused driver. The main roads are in good condition, but most of the routes are mountain roads or cornices overlooking the sea, so there are plenty of twists and turns - so don't plan your tours too short on time. Secondary roads are not always asphalted, but are generally passable with a conventional car, except in wet weather. Speed limits are the same as in Portugal (50/80/120 km) unless otherwise indicated, and roads are rarely jammed. The only problems of this kind occur in Ponta Delgada or in the central street of Angra, but this does not prevent all Azoreans from lamenting the difficulties of traffic... Caution is therefore the order of the day, even on the "highways" linking Ponta Delgada to Ribeira Grande or Angra to Praia sur Terceira: a cow or a cart could appear at any moment. Gas stations are scattered here and there, but you can't go far anyway. The price of petrol is relatively high compared with the rest of the country: around €1.45 for 1 L of petrol.
Accessibility The Azores
Like most European cities, Azorean towns are easily accessible. However, while some hotels and restaurants have facilities for people with reduced mobility, this is not always the case for the archipelago's buses. So it's best to travel by cab for people with reduced mobility, or to be accompanied by someone who will drive a rental car. Generally speaking, there is still room for improvement, despite the markedly positive developments of recent years.
