Means of transport Ponta Delgada

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ponta Delgada airport's convenient shuttle service is provided by Agence ANC. When you arrive, ask directly at the orange counter located inside the airport. The line serves 21 stops, including the main hotels (Hotel Marina Atlantico, Hotel Azoris Royal Garden, Hotel VIP Executive...) and the city's points of interest (São Bras fort, São Pedro church...). See the complete list on the Internet. Please note that the shuttle operates on reservation only: contact the company to arrange a time.

Since 2023, Atlanticoline (the Azores' main shipping company) no longer offers ferries from São Miguel. To reach the other islands, you'll have to fly. However, there are direct connections between the islands of the Central Group and those of the Western Group. Taking a boat from island to island is a slower option than flying, but the scenery you'll be able to see from your boat is unrivalled and quite simply magnificent. An option worth considering.