By Air
SATA Air Acores, the Azores based airline, operates all the inter-island flights, so travelling between the islands is very easy. There are daily direct flights between all islands, but advance reservations are essential, as it can get very busy (especially in summer). There are SATA offices at every airport in the archipelago and in the island capitals. The head office is in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island). Schedules vary slightly from summer to winter.
By Sea
Apart from occasional Atlantic cruises and cargo vessels that visit the Azores, there are no passenger’s ferries or similar service operating between mainland Portugal and Azores. However, there are two companies operating the inter-island ferry services – AtlanticoLine (www. atlanticoline.pt) and Transmacor (www.transmacor.pt), offering several daily sailings between Azores Islands throughout the year.
By Car
The choices are basically between hiring a car or taking a taxi. All islands have bus network, however, buses can be very infrequent and non-existent in some places. Taxis are plentiful in the main centres of population, and reasonably cheap, though it is wise to settle the price in advance when making a tour of the island. Car hire agencies can be found in all the islands.
As in the mainland Portugal, driving in Azores is on the right. Driving conditions are generally good in all the islands and improving all the time, though the network is not exactly extensive and minor roads can often be just sandy tracks. Many sights are accessible only on foot, leaving the car behind. If in doubt, get out of the car and walk or you too may find yourself stranded up a mountain with a broken axle and no one to summon for aid.
