While planning our trip to the Azores last summer, the first order of business was figuring out how to get around, which eventually led us to the question… Is there Uber in the Azores?
We were only planning to visit São Miguel but were still curious about the other islands.
Unfortunately, we quickly discovered that there’s no Uber in the Azores.
This includes all the major islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, Flores, Pico, and São Jorge. There are also no alternative ridesharing apps in the Azores, so you’ll have to find another way to get around.
Luckily, there are still several other options for exploring each of these beautiful islands!
You can rent your own vehicle (that’s what we did), use public taxis, take local buses, or book tours and private transfers. Here’s everything you need to know to get around each island!
Why is there No Uber in the Azores?
I wish the answer was more straightforward, but there is not much public information about Uber in the Azores.
It seems like Uber made an effort to try to start offering services in Ponta Delgada (the largest city in São Miguel), but the demand was surprisingly low. So, it never got enough traction to become profitable.
Almost all residents in the Azores own personal vehicles, and tourists usually rent their own cars.
Uber has never made any further attempts to re-integrate into the public transportation system of Ponta Delgada or any other island in the Azores.
However, it does operate in the larger cities of Portugal, so it’s not unreasonable to think they might try again in the future!
Alternative Ridesharing Apps
Other ridesharing apps, like Bolt or Lyft, are also inactive in the Azores. The closest thing to Uber in the Azores would be Welcome Pickups.
But, as of now, it’s only available in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel.
Welcome Pickups is most well known for airport transfers, but they will accept requests from point A to point B anywhere in São Miguel (almost like a ‘private transfer’ service).
So, technically, you can pre-arrange rides around the island.
The cost is about the same as that of a local taxi, but it feels more like Uber, and you won’t have to wait forever for the next taxi to arrive at the city taxi stand. We also recommend it for airport transfers since they will track your flight and adjust the pickup time if your flight is delayed.
How to Get Around The Azores
The Azores’ landscape is stunning, with volcanic craters, lush green valleys, and picturesque coastal towns. But that also makes it sort of difficult to navigate. Everything feels very spread out, and the best places to see are often about 1-2 hours from the main cities.
So, it’s definitely a good idea to think through transportation ahead of time!
Almost everyone rents a car in the Azores. However, if you don’t feel comfortable renting and driving around the Azores as we did, here are several alternative ways to get around these beautiful islands.
1. Use Local Taxis
Local taxis are readily available in the Azores and can be found almost everywhere on the island. We haven’t taken many taxis in the Azores since we always rent our own vehicles, but we’ve taken a public taxi to/from the airport a few times.
If you’re only looking for a short taxi, it’s not terribly expensive.
I remember our taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to our hotel in the city (4 km) was about €11.
But if you’re trying to go to some of the main attractions around the Azores, like Poco Da Ribeira do Ferreiro in Flores, Sete Cidades in São Miguel, or Algar do Carvão in Terceira, it will be way more expensive (€30-50 per trip).
That’s roughly the same price as a full-day car rental, so renting a car almost always makes more financial sense (as you feel comfortable driving in a foreign country).
2. Private Transfers (Ponta Delgada Only)
If you are set on using public transportation to get around, private transfers are the most convenient and reliable option, WelcomePickups.
They’re only available in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, but that’s the most accessible island by far, and we’ve started using them almost exclusively for airport transfer and private taxi services.
We love that they track our flights, and they’ll even wait for us if the flights are delayed (which happened ALL THE TIME in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean).
3. Rent a Car
No matter which island(s) you visit in the Azores, renting a car is the best way to get around. The freedom is unmatched.
In our opinion, it’s also a better option than scooter rentals with such unpredictable weather.
Either way, the ability to create our own itinerary each day, make spontaneous pit stops at scenic viewpoints, and stay at specific lookouts or natural pools long after the tours were gone made our trip so much more special.
Before the crowds arrived, we could also get up early (before dawn for places like Sete Cidades) and reach the most famous hot springs, beaches, and hikes.
This was so nice during the high season in the Azores because the places you see all over socials get crowded VERY quickly.
By 10-11 AM, the tour groups had started to arrive, and the experience was very different.
If you want to rent a car in the Azores, we highly encourage you to book early. There are limited rental agencies on the island, and they get fully booked during the summer.
Anytime we’re in Europe, we find the most affordable car rentals on Discovercars. It’s usually about €25-50 per day, which is very affordable. They also offer full-coverage insurance, which also saved our butt when we got a flat tire in Madeira!
Want to rent a car in the Azores?
4. Rent a Scooter
Renting a scooter is another way to explore the Azores at your own pace. We’ve rented a scooter twice in the Azores, and our experiences were sort of a mixed bag.
On one hand, we felt like it was a more exciting way to get around. It’s really fun, the fresh air is incredible, and it reminds us of our time in Southeast Asia.
But when it rained, it was miserable…
The Azores are known for having 4 seasons in a day, and we can confirm that this was true during our trips to the Azores.
Also, scooter rentals are sometimes even more expensive than car rentals! This might seem counterintuitive, but the unique experience and lower demand for scooters influence the price.
We’ve used a couple of agencies but had the best experience working with Blue Sky Moto Rental. They’re a family-run agency and treated us exceptionally well throughout our trip. Ultimately, they even offered us a free ride to the airport so we wouldn’t have to pay for a taxi!
If you’re only concerned with getting the absolute best price, then we like to compare prices on Bikesbooking.com (this is how we originally found Blue Sky Moto Rental).
Scooter Rental Sound More Your Speed?
5. Taking the Bus
None of the Azores islands have a super reliable public bus system, and honestly, it isn’t easy to figure out as a tourist. They are primarily used by locals and tend to be infrequent and unreliable from the locals we’ve talked to about it.
So, it’s definitely not our preferred way to travel. Still, they are available, specifically in São Miguel and Terceira, if you’re looking to travel on an ultra-low budget. It’s always less than €3 per ticket (must pay in cash/coins).
Here is the timetable for the main bus company in the Azores. It’s a little difficult to follow, but you can get almost anywhere on the main islands, and most routes have 3-4 routes per day. All of the bus stops show up on Google Maps.
6. Day Tours with Transportation
Travelers taking a short trip to the Azores might find that booking day tours is more convenient than arranging your own transportation. The major towns and cities, like Ponta Delgada in São Miguel, are quite walkable, and plenty of day tours visit the top attractions across the islands.
These tours usually include transportation, and booking a tour eliminates much of the guesswork involved in visiting different sites. You don’t have to worry about where to buy tickets; you’ll have a personal guide to learn more about the area.
Here are some of the best day tours in the Azores!
West-Coast Day Tour of São Miguel
This tour of São Miguel’s West Coast gives you a great overview of the island.
It’s probably the best full-day tour in the Azores. It takes you to the stunning twin lakes of Sete Cidades and the volcanic crater lake Lagoa do Fogo, Salto do Cabrito Waterfall, Mosteiros, and Sete Cidades.
The tour also includes a traditional Portuguese lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a local expert guide.
East-Coast Day Tour of São Miguel
This East Coast Day Tour of São Miguel gives you a great overview of the island.
If you want to explore the eastern side of São Miguel, consider booking this tour. It includes a visit to the Furnas Valley, Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall, a traditional “cozido” lunch cooked in geothermal grounds, and various lookouts, such as Miradouro de Santa Iria and Miradouro do Pico do Ferro.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you’ll also get to see some of the lesser-known parts of the island, like Poca da Dona Beija and Farol do Arnel, the easternmost point of the island.
Terceira Island Full-Day Tour
For those wanting a guided tour of Terceira Island, this is one of your best options. This comprehensive tour covers major highlights such as Monte Brasil, Serra do Cume, Algar do Carvão, and natural swimming pools, providing a thorough experience of the island’s unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
You’ll also enjoy a traditional local lunch, trying dishes like Alcatra de Carne. There’s also free pickup from your hotel, and they can cater to guests who speak English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.
Faial Island Half-Day Tour
This full-day tour of Faial gives you a great overview of the island without needing a private vehicle. It also stops at significant locations such as Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, Faial Caldeira, Capelinhos volcano, and various other scenic viewpoints.
All transportation is included, so you won’t have to worry about logistics. They will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Terceira!
Closing Thoughts
While Uber isn’t available in the Azores, there are plenty of ways to get around the island, from local taxis to renting a car or taking guided tours with local operators.
But honestly, if you want the ultimate freedom and flexibility, we highly recommend renting your own transportation. Whether that’s a car or a scooter in the Azores, it’s just so much nicer to come and go as you please, and the roads across the archipelago are easy to drive.
Looking for where to start exploring the islands, check out our ultimate São Miguel Itinerary.
