Renting a Car in the Azores: 25 Top Tips & Advice
RENTING A CAR IN THE AZORES
Renting a car in the Azores is “a must” in order to experience the natural wonders of the islands.
This blog will focus specifically on Sao Miguel Island, the largest in the chain off the coast of Portugal.
I’d compare it to driving around an island the size of Oahu, but without the big-city traffic you’d see in Honolulu.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Reserve your car early to get the best deal on prices, especially during the peak summer months.
- Specifically, ask for an automatic transmission (if you’d like one).
- Yes, you’ll drive on the right side of the road in the Azores.
Best Prices for Renting a Car in the Azores
Discover Cars is the option I use in the Azores, because they compare all possible options at once. It’ll include the local Azores-based car rental companies, like Ilha Verde, in addition to the internationally-known brands.
Renting a Car at Ponta Delgada Airport
Get to the rental counter fast when you land at the Ponta Delgada Airport! Long lines form quickly when planes land, and they can move pretty slowly.
If you’ve checked luggage, have one person wait at the baggage carousel. Send the other person on to the car rental counter in the airport terminal.
Car Rental Companies in Sao Miguel
The economy in the Azores is largely built around tourism. You’ll find the big name international car rental companies in the Ponta Delgada Airport, like Hertz, Enterprise, and Sixt.
You’ll also find Azorean-based companies, like Ilha Verde, Way2Azores, and ANC.
When you’re booking, if you’re looking for efficiency, choose “in terminal” for companies operating right at the airport. A few of them have off-site locations nearby you’ll take a shuttle to.
Check with your company, but when you’re renting a car in the Azores, most will come with:
- Unlimited mileage
- Collision Damage Waiver
- Theft Protection
- Roadside Assistance
- Third Party Liability (TPL)
- Airport surcharge
- State Tax
Ilha Verde Car Rental
Personally, I’d recommend the local car rental company in the Azores: Ilha Verde. They have a large selection of vehicles right on the lot at the airport.
Their selection includes small, medium, and large cars, plus SUVs, vans, and convertibles.
The staff at Ilha Verde was friendly and helpful, and the cars are in decent condition.
They do have a strange return policy, which will impact people with early morning departure flights out of PDL.
If you return a car overnight, after their desk staff leaves for the day … OR… before 5:30am, you’ll have to pay an off-hour return fee of 30-35 Euros. It caused a small scene with angry drivers the morning we left, so they should probably be more upfront about that odd policy on the back-end of the rental.
Reserve Your Rental Car Early
While the rental car selection is enough to satisfy all visitors arriving in the Azores, it’s a good idea to book your car early to get the best deal and make sure there’s an automatic transmission available (if you’d prefer one).
Most of the car rental companies through Discover Cars offer free cancellation until a day or two before your arrival.
Request an Automatic
I’ve already said this, but it’s worth repeating so you don’t waste time at the airport trying to change out a rental car.
Most rental cars in the United States are automatic transmissions by default.
That’s not the case when you’re renting a car in the Azores, or anywhere else in Europe.
So if you’re not used to driving a stick shift, make sure to opt for the “automatic transmission” feature when you book.
What Kind of Car to Rent in the Azores
We carry around a lot of camera equipment plus a drone, so I always opt for a crossover SUV when we rent cars. We went to Sao Miguel last-minute, so selection was limited and all SUVs were taken in Ponta Delgada.
We ended up in a small Ford Fiesta, which turned out to be just fine.
Frankly, it’s easier to drive smaller cars around the narrow streets of the villages in the Azores.
More importantly, you’ll be able to fit small cars in tiny parking spots at crowded trailheads! Next time, I’ll go for a smaller option again, because it was much more efficient and easier in terms of parking.
Driving in the Azores: 10 Things to Know
1. It’s mostly rural, two-lane highways
In Ponta Delgada, you’ll drive through the narrow streets of different neighborhoods, and maybe through the busiest parts of the city.
Otherwise, you’ll be on rural two-lane highways for much of the time you spend driving in the Azores. In just a few spots, the roads will widen into a larger highway system.
2. Driving the Loop Around Sao Miguel
Some people compare Sao Miguel to Iceland, because of its volcanic origins, rocky shores, and beautiful landscapes.
While Iceland has its famous “Ring Road” which many summertime travelers love to circle, Sao Miguel also has its own version.
Highway EN1-1A is a mostly two-lane road that goes around the entire island.
It’s not the route I’d necessarily suggest taking, but to give you an idea of the size of Sao Miguel, the entire highway loop is:
- 205 kilometers
- 127 miles
- Four-to-five hours of driving
3. Expect Working Farms
Sao Miguel’s beautiful landscape is covered in farmland. Much of the internal part of the island is very rural, so you’ll be sharing the road with tractors, farm trucks, and other heavy machinery going from field-to-field.
4. Prepare for Crowded Lots
Most people renting a car in the Azores are doing it to get out and experience the natural beauty of the islands.
During the peak tourist season in the summer, expect trailhead lots overflowing with cars.
It’s the best sales pitch for renting a small car in the Azores. You’ll have a much easier time maneuvering around the lots and fitting into a small spot than if you were in an SUV.
The rules around parking are pretty lax, so if you come to a lot that’s full, you’re usually able to find parking along the road nearby.
5. Speed Limits in the Azores
You’ll drive slower in the Azores than you’re used to in the US or other European countries. The speed limit is usually 80km per hour, or around 50 miles per hour.
The limits are marked along the highways, and they’ll fluctuate between 30 and 80 kilometers per hour. A few spots on the main highway will allow speeds up to 90 kilometers an hour, which is about 55 miles an hour.
Honestly, on the narrow, winding two-lane highways, you probably won’t want to go much faster than 80km per hour. Plus near the crowded trailheads, drivers tend to slow down even more because people are walking along the side of the road.
6. Filling Up the Tank in Sao Miguel
While Sao Miguel is sparsely populated in spots, you’ll find plenty of gas stations, or petrol stations.
Some gas stations are self-serve, and you’ll have to use Google Translate to figure out the steps of filling up the tank.
Others are “on your honor.” You fill up first, and then go inside to pay.
You’ll choose #95 petrol, which is clearly marked in green on the pump and on the tank.
Of course, gas prices are always changing but it was 1.53 Euros per liter on our trip. We spent 50 Euros filling up our Ford Fiesta tank after three days of driving in the Azores.
7. Police and Speeding in the Azores
You won’t see a major police presence as you drive around in the Azores.
I asked a few locals about speeding and tickets. They say, for the most part, police only target and pull speeders over on the highway between Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande.
We didn’t see any officers in any of the small towns we visited as we were driving around Sao Miguel.
With that said, as I mentioned above: the highways are narrow and curvy, so you likely won’t want to speed too much anyway while driving in the Azores.
8. The Roundabouts
If you rent a car in the Azores, you’re bound to encounter dozens of roundabouts. It’s clear that many drivers aren’t used to them, and don’t understand which lane they should be in. Just be prepared and patient for them as you drive around!
9. Stop to Smell the Flowers!
In the spring and summer, driving in the Azores is a joy! The highways are lined with beautiful flowers and shrubs! Several times, I pulled over to admire the hydrangeas and other lush landscaping.
10. You Drive on the Right
Yes, you do drive on the right side of the road in the Azores 🙂
Renting a Car in the Azores: Warnings
Driving in the Azores is so enjoyable, that there really aren’t too many problems or hazards to be aware of.
You’ll Be Sharing the Road
As I mentioned above, there’s a lot of agriculture in the Azores. In addition to the tractors on the road, you’ll have to watch out for cows in spots, too. The roads are marked with “free range cattle”-type signs, but they can still sneak up on you, on you on a curve.
If traffic comes to a halt and you can’t see ahead, it’s likely due to a cow or a farmer making his cows cross the road from a barn to a field.
Cycling is also popular on Sao Miguel, so be on the lookout for groups of cyclists as you’re driving in the Azores.
Signage is Lacking
Even on the main highways near the city of Ponta Delgada, the highway signs aren’t great. The GPS on your phone will be your best guide.
As you’re driving in the Azores, you’ll notice : streets in villages often have no names at all.
Fog in the Mountains
At times, visibility will be reduced to zero! We ended up crawling along in our car, with the fog lights on, unable to see much of anything in front of us. This is primarily a concern at higher elevations, and around the stunning hikes and landscapes on the western side of Sao Miguel.
The fog can last for days around Sete Cidades, obscuring that iconic view.
On the other hand, it’s beautiful and mystical to visit some of the spots in the Azores with a heavy layer of fog sitting on top of the island.
Construction
The highways are nicely maintained in the Azores, for the most part, but you’ll definitely run into construction crews along the way, patching and repaving the roads.
Best Places to Drive to in the Azores
Sao Miguel island is pretty small, so you’ll easily be able to cover all sides of it over the course of a few days. These are some of my favorite sites to see if you rent a car and drive:
Driving in Western Sao Miguel
- Sete Cidades, and all of the hikes and viewpoints around the lakes are probably the main draw in the Azores.
- Mosteiros, a rocky beach with a natural thermal pool, is a local favorite.
Driving in Northern Sao Miguel
- Santa Barbara and other beaches line the northern coast.
- Gorreana, the oldest tea plantation in Europe, is along the northern coast.
Driving in Eastern Sao Miguel
- Nordeste is a nice town to spend a night in, with waterfalls and hikes nearby.
Driving in Central Sao Miguel
- Furnas, which is on the eastern side of the island, but inland, is one of the most popular destinations, known for its charming town, hot springs, and natural beauty.
FAQs About Driving a Car in the Azores
Let’s tackle a few more frequently asked questions about renting a car and driving in the Azores. Some of this I covered up above.
Is there a lot of traffic in the Azores?
There’s very little highway traffic.
You’ll run into some congestion in the downtown part of Ponta Delgada, especially around holidays. Still, it’s nothing to be concerned about.
The biggest traffic problem you’ll encounter is at the crowded trailheads on beautiful days.
Do you need an international driver’s license to drive in the Azores?
You do not need an international driver’s license in the Azores, but it never hurts to have one as an additional form of ID.
You can go to your local AAA office and get one for $20. It takes just a few minutes, and the license is good for a year.
What side of the road do you drive on in the Azores?
You drive on the right side of the road in the Azores. The island chain is technically part of Portugal, not the UK.
Is it safe to rent a car in the Azores?
Yes, I’d compare it to renting a car in Iceland. There’s very little crime, so it’s safe to rent and drive a car in the Azores.
It also never snows, so the roads don’t get icy or treacherous in the winter.
The fog and the farm life are really the only hazards while driving in the Azores.
Is there Uber in the Azores?
Yes, Uber is an option in the Azores, but primarily only in the city area. It’s not a great option for going to trails and hikes and other sites.
Uber is, however, an excellent option on the mainland in Lisbon.
The Best Time to Rent a Car in the Azores
The locals on Sao Miguel will tell you: June, July, and August are very crowded. It’s even more important to book early if you plan to travel in that summertime window. Expect costs to be higher for flights, hotels, and rental cars in the Azores during the peak summer months.
I know a lot of travel plans for families revolve around school schedules and work, but if you can manage it I’d try to visit the Azores in May or September. The weather will be mild, and costs will be lower than in the summer.
Most importantly for people renting a car in the Azores: in the shoulder-season months of the spring and fall, the highways and trailhead parking lots will be less crowded!
Is it Worth Renting a Car in the Azores?
It’s a resounding “YES” on renting a car in the Azores. For being a high-demand tourist destination, rental car rates are very reasonable.
Renting a car is really the only way to see the natural beauty at the different sites on your own time and terms. There are a lot of tour options available, but renting a car in the Azores gives you the option and flexibility of arriving for a sunrise or staying for a sunset. Plus, if it’s foggy one day at Sete Cidades, you can always drive back a day or two later for the full view.
On top of the convenience factor, the Azores is one of the most beautiful driving experiences I’ve had!
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GUIDES TO THE AZORES:
