The Ultimate Guide for Getting Around the Azores Islands

Getting around a new destination can feel overwhelming, especially when it's a chain of islands! The Azores consist of 9 different islands, and each one has something special to offer, so you'll want to plan how to get around the Azores ahead of time to maximize your stay.

There are a few different ways to move from one island to the next, and various options for exploring each island itself. It's not as simple as moving around the Canary Islands or some other island chains, and that's why we're to give you some guidance.

In this guide to getting around the Azores, we’ll cover the best ways to travel between the islands, how to navigate local buses and taxis, and tips for making your journey smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re hopping between islands or exploring the lush interiors, this will help you plan your trip in the best way possible.

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Introduction: What to Know About Transportation in Azerbaijan

Before diving into all the options for getting around the Azores, let’s start with the basics. We’ll first cover how to get to the Azores, and then explain what traveling around this beautiful Portuguese archipelago is like.

 How to Get to the Azores

There are several ways to reach the Azores:

• Fly into the Azores from Abroad: Sao Miguel is the main gateway, and some other international cities fly direct to Terceira
• Fly to other islands like Faial, or Pico from mainland Portugal (Lisbon, Porto, and Faro).
• Arrive by cruise ship: Several transatlantic cruises include the Azores as a stop, especially Ponta Delgada.

For full details, check out our complete guide on how to get to the Azores, which covers all routes from mainland Portugal, Europe, and North America.

 What is the Best Base for Exploring the Azores?

The best base depends on your itinerary and how you plan to get around, but here are a few popular options:

• São Miguel is the typical choice for first-time visitors, with the largest airport, most infrastructure, and a wide variety of attractions. However, it's not well-connected by ferry.
• Terceira is ideal for history and culture lovers, with its charming capital of Angra do Heroísmo and central location for inter-island flights.
• Pico or Faial are great for nature lovers, whale watching, and those planning to explore the central group of islands.

 How Do You Get Around the Azores?

Here are the main ways to for getting around the Azores:

• Rent a car: The best option for exploring within each island, but car ferries themselves are limited.
• Use public buses: Available on most islands, but schedules can be limited outside main towns.
• Take taxis or ride-hailing apps: Great for shorter trips or when bus routes don’t reach your destination.
• Take a short flight: The easiest option for hopping from one island section to another.
• Hop on ferries: Perfect for traveling between islands during spring and summer - just remember not all islands connect!
• Join guided tours: Ideal if you don’t want to drive — many tours include transport and cover multiple highlights in one day.

Transportation in Azerbaijan: Different Options for Getting Around

Ready to explore the best of the Azores? Here’s a detailed look at all the ways to travel between and within the islands.

Getting Around the Azores (Island to Island)

The Azores has 9 islands in total, and the area covered is much bigger than you may have thought! 

We assumed everything would be really close by and that we'd be able to simply hop on ferries at any given moment to do day trips. Well, unfortunately this is far from the truth of it all, and island hopping requires a lot of planning, and isn't super budget-friendly. Don't worry though - that's why we're here to help!

 What are the Island Groups of the Azores?

There are three main groups of islands in the Azores: the eastern, central, and western islands. Flights connect each island group, while ferries only connect within each island group. This is one of the reasons it's not super easy to island hop in the Azores.

⬅️ The Western Group of Azorean Islands

Flores and Corvo are the smallest islands, and they make up the Western group of the Azores islands. They're some of the least convenient islands to reach, but also a couple of the most breathtakingly beautiful ones.

⬇️ The Central Group of Azorean Islands

The central group of islands include Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira. The easiest way to reach here is to fly to Terceira, which has direct connections to the US and a few European cities. These islands all have their own lower key beauty, and are a bit better connected.

➡️ The Eastern Group of Azorean Islands

The two islands that make up the eastern group of the Azores are Sao Miguel and Santa Maria. Sao Miguel is the most popular island, and is only well-connected by flight (and the occasional cruise ship). Santa Maria is definitely the hardest island to reach, since it's the only one that doesn't have a ferry connection.

 Getting Around the Azores by Plane

The quickest way to get from one island to the other, and the only way to connect from one island group to another is by flight. The airline that connects each of the islands to one another is Sata Azores Airlines, and their rates are fixed.

The good news is that flight prices don't change, so you won't have to worry about last minute purchases, and luggage is included, as well as flight changes. The bad news is that the average flight price is about 70-100 euros, so flights can truly add up quickly if you're looking to go to a lot of islands.

The weather can also easily impact flight schedules, so it's always important to give yourself a day of buffer between each one!

*Please keep in mind this has been individually researched by us, and that prices and routes may change from season to season.

 Getting Around the Azores by Ferry

Traveling by ferry in the Azores is really tricky, because not all islands connect. Sao Miguel and Santa Maria are two islands that don't have ferry service at all, these can only be visited by flight, or by Sao Miguel by cruise ship.

The central group is the most well-connected by ferry, but the schedule is honestly still not very easy or reliable. Ferries are more frequent in the summer, but most of them don't even go daily. If you have a car, there is only one ferry that carries cars, and there are only about 10 spaces for vehicles, so these sell out typically 3 months in advance.

Ferries Between Flores & Corvo

The pink line is the route that goes between Flores and Corvo. Currently, in the low season of October-December sailings run on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with sailings at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm going from Corvo to Flores, and at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm going from Flores to Corvo. Tickets are 16 euros, and the boats are smaller, so they aren't able to bring cars.

Ferries Between the Central Islands of the Azores: The Green Line

The Green Line connects three of the Central Group islands: Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. Operated by Atlânticoline, it is the most popular and convenient ferry route in the Azores.

This route is perfect for travelers visiting the middle of the archipelago, as the islands are located close to one another. The ferries are comfortable, the views are beautiful, and the distances are short, making it easy to combine these islands into one itinerary.

Here are the main connections available on the Green Line:

• Faial (Horta) to Pico (Madalena): about 30 minutes
• Pico (São Roque) to São Jorge (Velas): about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Faial (Horta) to São Jorge (Velas): about 2 hours, often with a stop in Pico

While the route between Faial and Pico operates multiple times per day in summer, the connections involving São Jorge are much more limited. These usually run only a few times per week, so it is important to check the schedule before planning your trip.

Ferry schedules in the Azores change depending on the season and weather. During the summer months there are more crossings, but from late autumn to spring, services can become much less frequent or even pause temporarily. If you are traveling outside of peak season, it is a good idea to book in advance and plan your island connections carefully.

The Green Line is part of the Central Group network and only connects Faial, Pico, and São Jorge.

Ferries Between the Central Islands of the Azores: The Blue Line

The Blue Line is another ferry route operated by Atlânticoline, connecting several of the islands in the Central Group. It links Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial, making it a great option for travelers who want to visit more than just the three islands of the Green Line.

This route is ideal for those who want to reach Terceira or Graciosa by sea, as these islands are not included in the Green Line network. The Blue Line is longer and more weather-dependent, so crossings are less frequent than those between Faial and Pico.

Here are the main connections available on the Blue Line:

• Terceira (Praia da Vitória) to Graciosa (Praia): about 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Graciosa (Praia) to São Jorge (Velas): about 3 hours
• São Jorge (Velas) to Pico (São Roque): about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Pico (Madalena or São Roque) to Faial (Horta): about 30 minutes

While the Blue Line connects many of the Central Group islands, services are limited and seasonal. During the summer months, ferries usually operate several times per week, but in the off-season, crossings may be reduced or unavailable altogether.

Because of the longer routes and fewer weekly departures, it is best to plan your itinerary carefully if you want to include these islands. Always check the latest schedule from Atlânticoline before finalizing your travel dates.

The Blue Line is perfect for those wanting to travel between Terceira and the western Central islands by ferry, but it does not connect to São Miguel or Santa Maria in the east, nor to Flores or Corvo in the west.

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 Getting Around The Azores (Within Each Island)

Renting a car in the Azores is the best choice if you want full freedom to explore the islands at your own pace. We absolutely loved our Terceira, especially since the country is small and there are always cool spots just off the main routes.

Roads are well paved, and you don't have to worry about tolls. Parking is generally pretty easy, with the exception of downtown areas in cities like Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroismo.

If you're visiting the central group of islands in the Azores, you can take your rental car on the ferry. However, it's wise to keep in mind that there are few spaces available on a limited number of ferries, and you'll need to book your spot months in advance! Tp be safe though, renting a new car in each island might be more practical.

 Getting Around by Public Transportation in the Azores

Most islands do have some form of public transportation, but it's honestly really limited, and not ideal at all. It can seem more budget-friendly than renting a car, but truthfully it's better suited for those that want a laid back schedule.

 Getting Around the Azores by Taxis

Ride-shares are not available in the Azores, so if you don't have a car you may have to rely on taxis, especially if you're visiting somewhere in nature. Taxis can typically be called from most major towns, but do expect them to be a pricier alternative for getting around the Azores.

 Joining Guided Tours

Guided tours are ideal for those who want local insight or don’t want to plan logistics, and while tours can get pretty pricey, they're actually a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time, especially if you don't have a car! 

Many tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, plus expert guidance on cultural sites and scenic locations.

Not only that, but you can take 2-3 day organized on some islands, most popularly in Sao Miguel which has the highest amount of tourist traffic.

How to Get Around the Azores FAQ

Now you have all of the information you need for getting around the Azores! In case you missed anything though, here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions that we've seen across the web.

Getting Around the Azores: Final Tips for Moving Around and What’s Next

Now that you know how to get around the Azores, here are a few final tips to make your travels even smoother.

Tips for Getting Around the Azores

Other Things to Know About Visiting Azerbaijan

Now that you know how to get around the Azores, here are some other things you'll probably want to know about visiting!

Getting There: The main airport is in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, with connections to Lisbon, Porto, and several European and North American cities.

Language: Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Currency: The Azores use the Euro (€).

Safety: The Azores are very safe and locals are incredibly friendly.

Weather: The Azores have a mild, maritime climate year-round, but weather changes quickly. Always bring a jacket, even in summer.

What's Next?

Now that you know all about how to get around the Azores, you'll probably want to know more details about things to do and see there.

Here are a few other travel guides we have about the Azores:

 How to Get to the Azores

 How to Get to Terceira Island

 The Best Time to Visit the Azores

 Terceira Food Guide

 Best Photo Spots in Terceira

The Best Viewpoints in Terceira

 Fun Things to Do in Terceira

We're going to also be having new articles each Wednesday as well, so stay tuned!

Now you know all about the options for getting around the Azores! We hope our guide has helped you learn how to get around the islands in the best way possible, and that you have a safe and enjoyable journey.

Want to learn more visiting the Azores? We have many other Azores Travel Guides for you, as well as new ones coming up every week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you're able to stay up to date with our most recent content, and receive special discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning an incredible trip to the Azores? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning packages, so we can take care of the hard stuff while you sit back and relax. Take a peak at a few of our travel planning packages we offer, or simply email us today to get started!

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