Guide to island-hopping around the Azores

Locals travel frequently between the islands of the Azores all year round, so visitors will find it easy to explore. If you fancy a spot of Azores island hopping, inter-island flights and ferry routes connect these nine intriguing islands, scattered across the Atlantic around 1500km west of mainland Portugal.

The unpredictable Atlantic weather is the only thing that might cause a sudden change of plans, but as locals put it, that's just part of the Azorean experience. The best time to visit the Azores is from May to October, with the busiest crowds in July and August – Atlantic storm systems can affect travel from September to October, and in winter.  

The largest of the Azores islands, São Miguel, measures just 65km by 15km, but there's plenty to see and do here, despite the archipelago's diminutive size. Buses run around individual islands, but services are not always reliable, so renting a car or hiring a taxi is often the better alternative – except on the island of Corvo, which is so small that you can walk everywhere.

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Here's everything you need to know about getting around in the Azores – island-hopping is just the beginning. 

Understanding the geography of the Azores

The nine islands of the Azores are spread out over quite a large area, and most people divide the archipelago into three groups. The Eastern Group comprises São Miguel and Santa Maria, while the Central Group consists of Terceira, Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Graciosa, and the Western Group is made up of Flores and Corvo. The main points of arrival are the airports on São Miguel and Terceira. 

Island-hop comfortably by air

With the spread-out geography of the Azores, many people choose to fly between the islands, though there's a carbon cost. Various international airlines fly to John Paul II Ponta Delgada Airport on the island of São Miguel, and a few airlines serve Lajes Airport on Terceira, but government-owned SATA Air Açores operates all the inter-island flights. 

Locals use inter-island flights pretty much like a bus system, traveling between islands for shopping, doctor's appointments, and business trips. That said, not all routes are conveniently timed; when hopping between neighboring islands, it's often easier to take the ferry.

When traveling with small children, bear in mind that flying between islands is sometimes an exercise in patience. Many flights will make one or two stops before you reach your final destination, and passengers must disembark for every layover, even if it’s no longer than 15 or 20 minutes. This is very common when flying from São Miguel to smaller islands in the Central and Western groups.

Planes used for inter-island flights tend to be small turboprops, with limited space in the overhead compartment and under the seat in front of you. Most passengers only discover the type of aircraft they will be boarding at the gate or on the tarmac. If the flight is full, you can ask the crew if they can accommodate your luggage in the cargo hold. Note that the hold baggage weight limit for inter-island flights may be lower than for flights from the mainland. 

See more islands for less by taking the ferry

Taking the ferry between adjacent islands can take as little as 30 minutes, and it's cheaper and more convenient than a flight. It can also be faster, once you factor in the check-in time and waiting for your luggage on arrival. Islanders use the ferries frequently, especially between Faial and Pico, to commute to work.

The company Atlântico Line runs all the ferries in the Azores; purchase tickets online, or before your trip at the boat station. Note that spaces for cars are limited, and only available on certain routes. Local car rental companies often prohibit renters from taking their cars on the ferries. 

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The routes with the most frequent trips are the Blue Line, which connects Pico and Faial in 30 minutes, and the Green Line, which follows the same route and continues to São Jorge (1 hour). The Pink Line connects Flores and Corvo twice a week in the winter, and up to six days a week in the peak summer season.

From June to September, three seasonal routes operate two to three days a week. The Orange Line connects Pico and São Jorge at least twice a day, while the White Line connects all five islands in the Central Group twice a week. The Purple Line connects Terceira to São Jorge, Pico and Faial two times a week.

Ferries are large and stable, and the weather is usually good enough for passengers to sit outside on the top deck in the tourist season. Between Flores and Corvo, smaller boats are used and the choppy waters can make trips a bit more uncomfortable.

Local tip: Take it from a local with motion sickness: ferry trips between the “triangle islands” (Faial, Pico and São Jorge) are a breeze in the summer but the crossing is a bit rougher in the winter. Most people with motion sickness make it with the help of preventive medication. 

Explore the Azores on your own schedule by driving

Renting a car is the most practical way to travel around the Azores at your own pace – signs for major sights are clearly marked, the traffic is often light, and most of the main roads are well-maintained. Rental agencies can be found at John Paul II Ponta Delgada Airport on São Miguel and Lajes Airport on Terceira, as well as on most of the smaller islands. 

During peak season, especially on smaller islands, demand can outstrip supply, leading to an increase in prices. Parking spaces can also be hard to find near restaurants, top attractions, and beaches. Note that car rental companies often bar renters from taking hire cars on inter-island ferries, except on certain routes. Always check the rules when you rent. 

There are a few special considerations when driving in the Azores. Some rural roads are so narrow they appear to be a single lane when, in fact, they're two-way streets. Unless traffic signs state otherwise, always expect to find cars coming in the opposite direction.

And it’s not a myth that most of the countryside traffic jams are caused by farmers leading herds of cows between grasslands. If you come across cows in the road, pull over as close to the side of the road as possible, turn off your engine, and wait it out.

It is perfectly possible to explore the Azores without hiring a car, by walking, cycling and taking local buses, ferries and flights. We have an article all about how to do it! 

Non-drivers can hire a taxi to visit must-see attractions

If you don't drive, or you're unable to find a car to rent in peak season, hiring a taxi to cover the highlights is a practical way of getting around in the Azores. Taxis aren’t metered, so they’ll either charge a fixed fee based on the area or destinations you want to cover, or charge you by the hour. Expect to pay around 20 euros (€) per hour for sightseeing trips.

Taxi drivers often speak English, although sometimes only well enough for basic communication. Drivers who are a little more fluent will be happy to answer your questions about the island and the sights to the best of their knowledge. Also expect no-strings-attached tips on where to eat and local must-sees, especially on the smaller islands.

Finding a cab that offers round-the-island tours or sightseeing trips is as easy as asking the person driving you from the airport to your hotel. Most drivers offer trips, and if they don't, they'll know someone who does. Fares should be negotiated with the driver, but prices generally don’t vary much between taxi companies. Prices are usually quoted as a fixed fee per trip, rather than per passenger, but always check before agreeing to a rate.

Buses link larger hubs on weekdays

Each island (except Corvo) has its own public bus system, but services are limited and timetables are set up for the benefit of school kids and commuters. Typically, there's one bus in the morning and another at the end of the day, mainly serving schools and workplaces, with few trips at weekends. When consulting timetables, be aware that dias úteis means "working days" – ie Monday to Friday.

São Miguel has the best bus services for travelers, visiting many top sites, but it takes some planning and flexibility to travel around just by using the buses. Check locally to see which companies are currently operating the buses on each island. 

More questions about getting around in the Azores

Here are some other common questions people have about traveling around the islands of the Azores. 

Does Uber operate in the Azores?

A few years ago, there was a short-lived attempt to introduce rideshare services on the island of São Miguel, but it never truly took off. For the time being, Uber is not available in the Azores, but local taxis are easy to find.

Can I bring my bike to cycle around the Azores?

With the logistics of getting to and around the archipelago, only dedicated cyclists bring their own bikes, but Azores Airlines permits properly packed bikes as hold luggage, and bikes can be carried on the ferries. Depending on which island you’re crossing, cycling in the Azores can be a sweaty ordeal or a pleasant excursion. Bike rental companies can be found on most islands, and Azores Tourism lists road, cross-country and endurance routes on its website.

Accessible travel in the Azores

Unfortunately, the Azores have not quite hit the mark yet when it comes to accessibility. Many hotels and sights make provisions for wheelchair users, and inter-island planes and ferries can provide assistance for passengers with mobility difficulties. For now, Azores For All, a São Miguel-based private tour operator, is the only agency offering dedicated tours for travelers with disabilities.