How to Get to the Azores: Travel Options & Visa Info
Wondering how to get to the Azores? Well, you're in the right place. This underrated archipelago is closer and easier to get to than you may think, and we're here to help you make a trip there happen!
Whether you're looking to plan a full trip to the Azores, or simply incorporate them into a bigger trip around Portugal, there are a few options you can consider, and it can be surprisingly budget friendly to visit.
In this guide, weโll walk you through the different options for getting to the Azores, along with visa requirements, and other info to plan for a smooth trip to this incredible island chain.
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How to Get to Terceira, Azores: a Brief Intro
Before diving into how to get to the Azores islands, let's talk a bit about where they're located and why they're worth a visit.
Why Visit the Azores?
The Azores are known as the Hawaii of Europe. They're remote, but rich in culture, and have breathtaking landscapes and delicious food. They're still relatively under the radar, and have yet to be struck with mass tourism, making them feel like experiencing a hidden gem.
Each island has something different to offer, so there is something out there for every type of traveler. Whether you're looking to go whale watching, go hiking, or enjoy a culinary experience, the Azores are perfect for those that like a little bit of adventure, but also like traveling with comfort and ease.
The Azores are also a great destination to relax, with hot springs, natural pools, and spas making them one of the most romantic destinations to travel or the ideal place to just disconnect from the ordinary hustle and bustle.
Where are the Azores Located?
The Azores are an island chain is located in the middle of the Atlantic, but belongs to Portugal, and consists of 9 different islands.
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The Azores are divided into three groups, which are the northern islands, the central islands, and southern islands. Some of them are pretty straightforward to visit, while others are a bit more remote and can only be reached once you're already in the archipelago.
How Do I Get to the the Azores Islands?
The Azores may seem far, but they can actually be reached pretty easily by air or sea. Later in this guide, we'll dive into the details for how to get to the Azores by comparing the different options.
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How to Visit the Azores Islands: Entry Requirements
Before traveling to the Azores, itโs important to understand the entry requirements and customs rules. The islands follow the same regulations as mainland Portugal, which is part of the Schengen Area.
Visa Entry Requirements for Portugal
Most travelers from Europe, North America, and other visa-exempt countries can enter the Azores for short stays without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
Travelers from the US, Australia, UK, and many other countries do not need a visa to visit Portugal, or the other countries in the Schengen Zone, and are able to stay 90 days within a 180-day period in total inside the Schengen Zone.
The 90/180 Rule
It's important to keep in mind the 90/180 rule - meaning you can stay in the Schengen Zone for a total of 90 days within a 180-day period.ย
That the 90 days count towards all countries in the Schengen area. For example, if you spend 20 days in Spain (also part of the Schengen Zone), you will then only be able to have a max of 70 days in Portugal (or the other Schengen countries) within that 180-day period.
We always use theย Schengen visa calculator, which is really useful for those who plan on traveling in and out of the EU for more lengthy periods of time.
Schengen Visas
For travelers that are planning on staying longer than 90 days inside the Schengen Zone, or who are from a country which does not get visa-free access, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa.ย
Make sure to check the list of countries that need to get a Schengen Visa before traveling anywhere in the Schengen Zone, so that there are no surprises upon arrival.
How to Get to The Azores Islands: Comparing Travel Options
Now that you know a bit about where the Azores are and the travel requirements, let's look at how to get to the Azores by plane and by boat.
How to Get to the Azores by Flight
The Azores are most easily reached by flying, and there are direct flights from both the US and mainland Europe! From the East Coast of the US you can actually reach the Azores in just a few hours, making them just as convenient as heading down to the Caribbean.
The easiest and most popular airport to fly to in the Azores in Sao Miguel, but there are also direct flights to Terceira, a good jumping off point if you're looking to explore the central group of islands.
Sao Miguel is the most popular island to fly to.
ย Which Airport Do You Fly Into for the Azores?
All nine islands in the Azores have their own airports, all of which are small, and just a few of them are international.
Here is a breakdown of the different islands' airports, and where you can fly from to reach them:
- Sรฃo Miguel (Ponta Delgada Airport โ Joรฃo Paulo II Airport): the main international gateway with the highest number of flights.
- Terceira (Lajes Airport):ย also serves international and inter-island flights.
- Faial (Horta Airport): mostly inter-island, with some seasonal international connections.
- Pico (Pico Airport): inter-island flights and limited seasonal service to Lisbon.
- Sรฃo Jorge (Sรฃo Jorge Airport):ย has inter-island flights only.
- Santa Maria (Santa Maria Airport):ย has occasional connections to Lisbon and other islands.
- Graciosa (Graciosa Airport):ย strictly inter-island flights.
- Flores (Flores Airport):ย only inter-island flights - one of the harder islands to reach.
- Corvo (Corvo Airport): the smallest airport in the Azores, serving only inter-island flights (mainly to Flores).
ย Can You Fly Directly to the Azores from the US?
There are several US cities that fly direct to the Azores! From New York and Boston you can fly direct to both Sao Miguel and Terceira, and from Newark you can fly direct to Sao Miguel.ย
San Francisco has seasonal flights to Terceira, and if you're coming from the North East you can also opt to fly from Toronto to Terceira or Montreal to Sao Miguel.
ย Cities in Europe that Fly Direct to the Azores
From Europe, travelers most often fly from mainland Portugal (Lisbon or Porto), but can also fly from Faro orย the island of Madeira.
Other European cities that fly direct to the Azores include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, and Zurich. Just keep in mind some routes are seasonal.
Flight Tip:ย Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "Portugal". This way you can see if it's easier to fly directly there or to another Portuguese city first. Also, you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates for flying!
Search for a flight to the Azores:
ย Something to Consider While Flying to the Azores!
When planning your trip to the Azores make sure to give yourself extra days. Harsh weather conditions make visibility tough around the islands, and it's common for flights to reroute to the mainland! This happened to us, and we then missed our flight to the next island. Always give yourself a few days as a buffer.
Low clouds can make flying into the Azores difficult.
How to Get to the Azores by Sea
Another option for getting to the Azores islands is by sailing to them. There are some Transatlantic cruises that stop in the Azores, many of which makes stop in Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel Island. We actually visited the Azores for the first time while working on cruise ships!
Throwback to baby Danni and Fede!
Transatlantic cruises happen twice a year, and are for ships that are repositioning from the Caribbean to Europe or vice versa. These typically happen in April and October or November. These sailings are usually longer, but very budget-friendly, making them a fun way to travel, especially if you're not a fan of flying long hours.
The most common way to get to the smaller islands in the Azores by sea is to use the ferry system. However, it's important to know that there are three groups of islands, and while you can connect island to island within the different groups, the three groups cannot be connected with a ferry and you'll have to fly.
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How to Get to Terceira, Azores:Final Tips & Thoughts
Now you know pretty much everything you need to know for how to get to the Azores. But in case you missed anything, here is a recap, along with some other helpful tips for visiting.
ย Flying to the Azores is the easiest option, and can be done from various cities in Portugal, as well as a few cities in the US, Canada, and Europe.
ย Transatlantic cruises oftentimes stop at Ponta Delgada, making it a great first taste of the Azores.
โดย Ferries are only to connect island to island.
๐ซ Flights and ferries are limited, so make sure toย book well in advance!
๐ Flexibility is key as harsh weather conditions can impact flights and ferry schedules in the Azores.
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What's Next?
Now that you when how to get to the Azores islands, you'll probably want to know more about visiting this stunning archipelago! Here are some other articles we've written which will help you plan an epic trip to the Azores, Portugal:
ย How to Get to Terceira, Azores
ย 21 Awesome Things to Do in Terceira, Azores
ย The 10 Best Viewpoints in Terceira
ย 22 Best Photo Spots in Terceira
ย The Best Sunset Spots in Terceira
ย 
ย The Best Time to Visit the Azores
...and more coming each week!
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So, are you ready to plan your trip to the Azores? We hope this guide has assisted you in deciding how you'll be getting to the Azores and helped make the first step easy.
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