Means of transport The Azores

Ponta Delgada is linked to the USA, Canada, Madeira, Portugal, France and other European countries by SATA Azores Airlines, which also has a monopoly on inter-island connections. For flights to and within the archipelago, visit their website (many departures daily). In winter, one or two direct flights (4h) a week between Paris and Ponta Delgada. In summer, there are many more. Unquestionably professional staff, tinged, not least, with a friendliness that is becoming rare in the age of low-cost flights.

Atlanticoline operates year-round services between Faial, Pico and São Jorge. Horta has direct connections to Madalena and São Roque on Pico. To reach São Jorge, a stopover is necessary. From June to September, a larger boat connects all the islands in the central group, with a circular itinerary that starts in Horta and passes through Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira (white line). The purple line, also operational in summer, runs from Horta to Madalena (Pico), Calheta (São Jorge) and Angra (Terceira).

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines able to take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Lisbon or Porto, you can choose to land in Ponta Delgada (island of São Miguel), Horta (island of Faial), Madalena (island of Pico) or Lajes (island of Terceira). You can then fly to other islands with SATA Azores Airlines. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

From Ponta Delgada International Airport, all the islands in the archipelago are served. This is also where you will land with your international flight. More connections are provided by TAP via Lisbon or Porto from Paris. It is the largest airport in the archipelago. You will find car rental companies, ATMs, souvenir shops and food and drink. It is 4 km from the city centre and it will take you 15 minutes by car to reach it.

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines that can take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Lisbon or Porto, you can choose to land in Ponta Delgada (island of São Miguel), Horta (island of Faial), Madalena (island of Pico) or Lajes (island of Terceira). You can then travel to other islands with SATA. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

Faial airport is well equipped for international flights. SATA Azores Airlines (regional) and TAP Air Portugal (national) operate daily. It is the most important civil airport in the central group of the Azores archipelago. From Faial, you can fly direct to almost any island in the archipelago. The airport is less than 10 km from Horta town center. On site: car rental, cash dispenser, snack bar... Wifi is available throughout the airport.

From France, Azores Airlines, the regular Azorean airline, operates up to 3 direct flights a year between Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, in just 4 hours, aboard a 186-seat Airbus 321 Neo (meals served on board). Inter-island connections are then operated by SATA Air Açores. From mainland Portugal, daily flights are operated from Lisbon and Porto to various islands in the archipelago. There are also flights to Canada, the USA, Cape Verde and Madeira.

This is one of three bus companies operating on São Miguel. Departures to the west of the island. Weekdays to Sete Cidades, five departures a day, and four returns. Several daily departures to Mosteiros (seven weekdays, five Saturdays and four Sundays), to Ramal dos Mosteiros, to João Bom, to Fenais da Luz, to Capelas (19 weekdays, 12 Saturdays and seven Sundays), to Santo António (16 weekdays, 11 Saturdays and six Sundays), and to Relva (25 weekdays, 11 Saturdays and six Sundays). Alternative to car rental.

A small airport, like almost all the islands of the archipelago, but an airport nevertheless! In winter (and even sometimes in summer), it is not uncommon for planes to be unable to land or take off because of the wind. It is possible to be stuck on the island for a few days: the record is five days, but in general two days of waiting are not impossible. Above all, don't complain, these small problems will make good memories later. The few shopkeepers in the hall live to the rhythm of arrivals and departures and open according to that.

Small airport on the island of Santa Maria. You'll land in the main town, at Vila do Porto. So it's easy to get to the city center. Likewise, on the day of departure, there's no need to leave hours in advance, as the airport is only a few minutes from town. There are a number of amenities in the concourse, including car rental. The airport is bustling with arrivals and departures. Once you've disembarked, you'll be immediately immersed in the atmosphere of Santa Maria, where everything is small and simple.

Connections include Lisbon and Porto, and most of the islands of the archipelago. Lajes is the former major US base, which has been somewhat sidelined in recent years, even though the "coalition" of Americans, British and Spanish met here on March 16 and 17, 2003 to discuss the "Iraq affair", just before deciding to bomb Baghdad. The best way to get to the airport from downtown Angra is by cab. You can also leave your rental car here, as there are numerous car rental agencies.

Graciosa airport (or rather aerodrome!) is very small, but large enough to accommodate the regular flights of the local Azorean airline SATA. Don't be frightened when you see the runway from the window - the pilots are used to it. The arrivals and departures hall does house a couple of car rental stands. The airport is just 2 km from the island's main town, Santa Cruz de Graciosa. So you're within easy reach of all amenities, and on the day of departure, you'll be at the airfield in no time!

From France, SATA Azores Airlines only flies to Ponta Delgada (by direct flight or via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Faial (Horta). From Ponta Delgada, it's about a 1-hour flight to Faial. The route operates several times a day, depending on the season, and it's even possible to make the round trip in the same day. Please note that flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines that can take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Ponta Delgada (on the island of São Miguel), you'll land in Lajes, on the island of Terceira. You can then fly to other islands with SATA Azores Airlines, which has a monopoly on inter-island flights in the archipelago. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be cancelled or delayed due to the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

This bus company operates from Ponta Delgada to the north of the island. There are numerous options for Ribeira Grande and Rabo de Peixe. To Maia, seven departures a day on weekdays and four to five departures at weekends. For Furnas, two departures daily (morning and afternoon) via the north coast. For Nordeste, four departures a day on weekdays, two on Saturday and Sunday. For Fenais da Ajuda, four departures during the week and two or three at weekends.

This is the third bus company operating in São Miguel. From Ponta Delgada, there are numerous departures to Fajã de Baixo, Fajã de Cima, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo. For Remédios, the bus passes through Lagoa; count nine departures on weekdays and two or three on Saturdays and Sundays. For Ribeira Chã, two departures a day on weekdays only. For Povoção, five departures on weekdays and two at weekends. Buses also run to Água Retorta from Povoção and Ribeira Quente from Furnas. Convenient for car-free travel.

From France, the SATA flight to the Azores is only to Ponta Delgada (often via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Pico. From Ponta Delgada, it's about a 50-minute flight to Pico (non-stop). The route operates several times a week, depending on the season, but you can't make the round trip in a day. Please note that flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

Terceira is linked to the USA, Canada, Madeira, Portugal and other European countries by SATA Azores Airlines, which also has a monopoly on inter-island connections. From France, however, you can only fly to the Azores from Ponta Delgada: you'll then need to take another flight to Terceira. Terceira has direct flights to all the other islands in the archipelago, except Santa Maria and Corvo. Inter-island flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

The first studies were carried out in 1946 and it was only on 5 May 1976 that the airstrip and terminal building began to be built on the island of Pico, under the initiative of the Portuguese army, but under the administration of the Regional Government of the Azores. Today, Pico Airport's recent infrastructure allows it to fully embrace the modern tourist era. On site: car rental companies, ATMs, snack bars, souvenir shops... A "real" little airport!

The Atlanticoline shipping company operates year-round services between Flores and Corvo. The minimum frequency in winter is two round trips a day, two days a week (usually Tuesday and Saturday), except in the event of very bad weather. The journey takes around 40 minutes. This is the pink line (timetables available on the website). For several years now, Atlanticoline has no longer linked the Western Group to the Central Group by ferry. If you want to reach an island other than Corvo, you have no choice but to fly.