Azores Island Hopping — Car Rental Guide for Every Island The Triangle Islands — Faial, Pico, and São Jorge by Car Faial — Horta, Capelinhos, and Caldeira do Faial São Jorge — The Fajã Challenge Flores — Europe's Westernmost Drive Graciosa, Santa Maria & Corvo Insurance Glossary Island Hopping Guide Azores Island Hopping — Car Rental Guide for Every Island The Azores archipelago is a nine-island Autonomous Region of Portugal in the mid-Atlantic, and each island has different road access, ferry rules, and rental supply. Since 2022 there have been no car ferries connecting São Miguel to the other island groups, so a single-car island-hopping plan is usually impractical. Most visitors fly into Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) first, then reserve a separate car on each island while checking insurance terms carefully. The Triangle Islands — Faial, Pico, and São Jorge by Car Most rental companies prohibit taking cars on Atlânticoline ferries. Only 10-12 car slots per sailing. CDW does not cover sea-transit damage. Expert advice: rent separate cars on each island. Faial — Horta, Capelinhos, and Caldeira do Faial São Jorge — The Fajã Challenge Manual transmission is almost essential on São Jorge — automatics struggle with 30-degree descents. Only 3 gas stations across the entire 54 km island. Flores — Europe's Westernmost Drive Full circuit: ~86 km, ~4 hours with stops. Poço da Alagoinha: paved road to parking, then 800m forest trail on foot. Rocha dos Bordões: visible from roadside pullover on ER1-2. Rental cars desperately scarce on Flores in summer: €100-250/day. Only 7 taxi drivers on the entire island. Book 6+ months ahead or when you book flights. Graciosa, Santa Maria & Corvo Once you have ticked off the outer islands, many travellers extend their Portugal trip across to the mainland — if the Algarve is on the itinerary, Lagos rentals on the Algarve coast are the natural follow-on for cliff-road and beach day drives. Insurance Glossary Can I take a rental car from Faial to Pico? Some contracts allow it with written permission, but most prohibit ferry transport. Vehicle fare is €46-56. CDW may be voided if ferry use isn't approved. Is there car rental on Corvo? No. Corvo (population ~430) has no standard rental agencies. Visitors walk or use local passenger vans. Which island has the hardest driving? São Jorge — steep roads, tight curves, descents to fajãs. Flores also demands careful planning due to weather and scarce supply. Compare Azores Car Rental Deals São Miguel driving guide → Pico island details → Terceira island details → Full FAQ →