Endless little paths winding between fluorescent green pastures, over rolling hills and lush forests, transporting visitors between waterfalls, craters, vineyards, and quaint fisherman villages. Sounds like the ingredients of a perfect road trip does it not? Renting a car in the Azores is budget-friendly and surprisingly hassle-free.
Having spent most of my writing career advocating for sustainable travel, I always find it a little hard to discuss the merits of renting a car over exploring via public transportation. If you are lucky enough to be visiting the Azorean archipelago in Portugal, there is little way around it: Thou shall rent a car or be doomed to rely on the services of a headset-wearing, flag-waving guide. This goes for all nine of the islands.
We spent 10 days exploring Terceira, Pico, Faial, and São Miguel and rented a car on each of the islands. Having relied on public transport for most transportation, I am not the most experienced driver. But, I came out of the experience without a scratch, trauma, or fine. Driving in the Azores is, as it turns out, rather fun! Let’s delve into the practicalities of renting a car in the Azores.
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Do I Need to Rent a Car in the Azores
READ BEFORE YOU GO: Detailed 10 Day Azores Itinerary
The short answer to that question is: Yes, you need a car in the Azores. Many of the must-visit locations are not reachable via bus. The more nuanced answer is that this depends on the islands you are visiting, your preferred means of travel, and what you are expecting to see on the islands.
Terceira and São Miguel
Terceira and São Miguel have the most developed network of public (mini) busses. Connecting the urban areas on the island to each other. Sadly the busses are few and far between, and, according to local friends, highly unreliable. They will also not get you everywhere, as many of the natural highlights of the islands are located off-road along dirt paths.
The alternative to renting a car is investing in a tour of the island you are visiting. Tours are slightly more expensive but usually contain a meal and of course the services of a guide. For reference: A private day tour of Terceira costs €120 per person, while a group day tour costs anywhere between €60 and €80 per person. Rental cars range from €35 to €65 a day depending on the season you are visiting.
Other Islands in the Azores
The network of public transportation on the other islands is very limited. Therefore you will have no choice but either to rent a car or invest in a tour if you want to be able to see the main highlights.
Requirements to Rent a Car
Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements for both EU and non-EU travelers:
Age Requirements
- Minimum Age: Most car rental companies in the Azores require drivers to be at least 21 years old, although some may require 23 years depending on the vehicle type.
- Maximum Age: Some companies may have restrictions for drivers over 70 years old.
- Young Driver Fee: Drivers under 25 years may incur a small surcharge.
Documents Needed
- EU Travelers: A valid national driving license is sufficient.
- Non-EU Travelers: A valid driving license from your home country plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license is not in English or Portuguese.
- A passport or ID card for identity verification.
- A credit card in the driver’s name for deposit purposes.
Insurance Requirements
- Mandatory Insurance: All rentals include basic insurance (third-party liability).
- Recommended Insurance: Opt for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Super CDW to reduce your excess liability in case of damage, and consider Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) for additional protection.
Cost of Renting a Car in the Azores
The average costs range between €35 and €60 a day with the main difference being the size of the car. The lower end will get you a 4-seater, while the higher price range will get you a 5-7-seater car.
There are however two additional things that will drive up the price of the car significantly:
TIME OF YEAR YOU ARE TRAVELING: Between June and September the demand for cars increases dramatically and prices double and sometimes even triple.
TYPE OF GEARBOX: The vast majority of rental cars in the Azores are manual. If you do want to drive an automatic make sure to book way, way in advance because these cars are a hot commodity. Be prepared to pay up to 30% more for an automatic car.
BUDGET TIP | Make sure to compare rental prices online. I use Rentalcars.com because the site is easy to navigate and it gives a nice overview of the types of cars available. Make sure to book in advance to get the best price!
What Type of Car Should I Rent
They say the best things come in small boxes. Well, let me tell you this also holds true when it comes to picking our rental car for the Azores. The roads in the Azores are narrow and winding. You do not want to maneuver a huge car along a crater ridge or, equally terrifying, the cobblestoned streets of little villages. Petrol does not come cheap either hovering around 1,44€/L, you might want to stick to a fuel-efficient car.
You will not need a 4×4 to get around the island either. We rented cars like the VW Up, Peugeot 208, and Fiat Panda, small but sturdy enough to get us where we needed.
Traffic Rules for Driving in the Azores
Below are a couple of traffic rules to take into account before embarking on your road trip.
DRIVE ON THE RIGHT: Portugal follows right-hand driving, and overtaking is done on the left.
SPEED LIMITS: Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph); Rural roads: 90 km/h (56 mph); Highways (Autoestradas): 120 km/h (75 mph). That being said we saw a lot of 70 km/h (43 mph) speed limits on the narrow and winding rural roads.
ROUNDABOUTS: Drivers inside the roundabout have the right of way, which may differ from practices in the USA. Signal before exiting.
TOLLS: There are no tolls leveraged on the highways in the Azores.
WILDLIFE AND LIVESTOCK CROSSINGS: You’re likely to encounter cows and other animals on the roads. We encountered at least 3 different instances of cows being herded across the road by a shepherd. Always slow down and leave enough space between the car and the animals.
PARKING: Parking everywhere we went was free of charge. Look for marked areas and avoid parking in yellow-painted zones.
DRIVING ETIQUETTE: The Azores have a slower pace of life. Locals are generally patient, and you should mirror this attitude—use turn signals, don’t honk unnecessarily, and give way generously
Roads in the Azores
The roads in the Azores are generally well-maintained, with a mix of paved highways, narrow country lanes, and scenic coastal roads. While the main roads connecting towns and key attractions are smooth and easy to navigate, some rural or volcanic areas feature steep, winding paths or cobblestone streets.
A standard car is sufficient for most areas, but if you plan to explore off-the-beaten-path trails or visit remote viewpoints, a car with good ground clearance is recommended for added comfort and safety. We tried to a cave in Pico after a few days of heavy rains, it required us to navigate along a dirt path and our little Peugeot 208 was not able to get us there due to the many deep bumps in the road.
Practical Info Car Rental Azores
Where to Book Car Rental
Make sure to compare rental prices online and book here before your trip. I use Rentalcars.com because the site is easy to navigate and it gives a nice overview of the types of cars available. Do not show up to the rental counter and book on the spot, especially not in high season! There are limited cars available on each island.
Picking Up and Dropping Off the Car
As a travel writer, I have had the privilege of renting cars in a wide variety of different places around the world. The Azores were the most relaxed place I ever rented a car. Pick-up counters were easy to find at the arrival terminal of the airport/ferry; they were efficient and flexible, allowing us the drop off the car at different locations from the pick-up point.
Additionally, there are zero to no checks done on the car, either when picking up or dropping off. I must admit this part was a little worrisome to my rule-abiding Belgian side. I asked to do a thorough check before picking up the car and made sure to photograph any damage prior to departure. I also insisted the damage was clearly marked on the accompanying form. One simply never knows!
MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR VISITING THE AZORES
AZORES: 50 Things to do in the Azores
AZORES: 10 Day Azores Itinerary
SAO MIGUEL: 22 Things to do in the São Miguel
SAO MIGUEL ISLAND: Visiting Miradouro da Boca do Inferno on São Miguel Island
FAIAL: The perfect 1-2 day Faial itinerary
PICO: 7 Unmissable things to do in Pico Island
TERCEIRA: 10 Must visit places in Terceira
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