How to Get to the Azores

The first thing you should know, when you’re trying to discover how to get to the Azores, is that there is no such thing as “the Azores”. The Azores consists of nine different island, and trying to get to São Miguel, the most visited island, is not the same thing as trying to get to Corvo, it’s smallest and most remote island.

Therefore, to understand how to get to the Azores, you first need to understand this archipelago.

The Azores archipelago – DON’T SKIP THIS PART

The Azores archipelago consists of 9 islands grouped into three groups:

– The Eastern group, made up of São Miguel island (the largest and most populated island in the Azores) and Santa Maria island, known for being a holiday destination for the people of São Miguel.

– The Central group, made up of the Triangle islands (São Jorge, Pico and Faial) as well as Terceira and Graciosa island. The islands in the triangle are islands very close to each other, so the short distances that separate them are generally overcome using Azores ferries and not flights.

– The Western group, made up of the remote islands of Flores and Corvo. It is the most difficult group to access and where fewer people arrive.

There are NO direct flights to any Azores Islands except to the main ones: São Miguel and Terceira.

Direct flights between Azores islands

These are the islands that are directly connected by plane:

To get to the Azores you have first to get to either São Miguel or Terceira Islands, and from there either get a flight or a ferry to the island you’re trying to get to.

How to Get to São Miguel Island in the Azores

I found this really interesting map of all the direct flights to São Miguel Island, which is basically the best way to get to the Azores, on a website called FlightConnections.

At first sight there seems to be a lot of options but it is not that simple, because A LOT of the flights to São Miguel island are only available during a short period of time. For instance, the direct flight between Amsterdam and São Miguel island only exists in the summer and early fall months.

Now I am going to specify how to get to the Azores via São Miguel island (the best option, as it is the biggest island, and with most connections) from four regions in the world: the USA, Canada, Continental Portugal and the rest of Europe.

From the U.S.

Traveling from the U.S. to São Miguel Island typically involves direct and connecting flights. Here are the cities with direct flights to Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL), the only airport in São Miguel island:

• Boston (BOS), in Massachusetts: Direct flights available year-round, especially during summer.
• Newark (EWR), in New Jersey: Seasonal direct flights.
• Providence (PVD) in Rhode Island: Seasonal direct flights.

To get to the Azores from other U.S. cities, you need to connect through Lisbon (LIS) or Boston.

• Flight Duration: A direct flight from an U.S. city to Ponta Delgada takes approximately 5-6 hours.

From Canada

Canadian travelers can get to the Azores at São Miguel Island by a direct flight from two airports:

• Toronto (YYZ): all year round direct flights to Ponta Delgada.
• Montreal (YUL): Direct flights to São Miguel available during the summer months (June to September). Outside this window, you will have to fly first to Toronto and from there to São Miguel island.

From other Canadian cities, you need a connection flight through Lisbon (LIS) or Toronto.

• Flight Duration: A direct flight from a Canadian city to Ponta Delgada takes approximately 6 hours.

From Europe

If you are trying to get to the Azores from European countries (other than Portugal), these are your options:

• Belgium: there is a direct flight from Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Ryanair.
• Czech Republic: there is a direct flight from Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Smartwings.
• France: there is a direct flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Azores Airlines.
• Germany: there is a direct flight from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Azores Airlines.
• Spain: direct flights available from Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN). But there are very few direct flights from Spain to the Azores – most likely, you will first have to fly to Lisbon or to Porto and get a connection from there!
• The Netherlands: there is a direct flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Transavia.
• United Kingdom: there is a direct flight from London Stansted Airport (STN) to Ponta Delgada, operated by Ryanair.

From continental Portugal

Traveling from continental Portugal to São Miguel is straightforward, as there are direct flights from the main cities (Lisbon and Porto)

• Lisbon (LIS): Multiple daily flights to Ponta Delgada, operated by Azores Airlines, Ryanair and TAP.
• Porto (OPO): Multiple daily flights to Ponta Delgada, operated by Azores Airlines, Ryanair and TAP.
• Faro (FAO): flights operated by Azores Airlines. This is a flight only available from June to September, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
• Madeira Airport (FNC): flights operated by Azores Airlines and TAP.

Flight Duration: The flight from either Porto or Lisbon to São Miguel is approximately 2 – 3 hours.

How to Get to Terceira Island in the Azores

Another way to get to the Azores is to fly to its second most important island, Terceira. This island belongs to the Central group (the group with the largest amount of islands, 5 in total), so it is a very important hub of connections to other Azores Islands.

However, there are not many direct flights to Terceira Island, as you can see below:

Direct flights from the U.S.

Canadian travelers can reach Terceira Island directly from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). The flight takes approximately 5 hours.

From other U.S. cities, you need a connection flight to Boston or Lisbon.

From Canada

Canadian travelers can reach Terceira Island directly from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The flight takes approximately 6 hours.

From other Canadian cities, you need a connection flight to Toronto or Lisbon.

From Europe

There are no direct flights to Terceira Island from anywhere in Europe other than from the main cities in Continental Portugal.

From Continental Portugal

Traveling from mainland Portugal to Terceira Island is straightforward, as there are direct flights from the main cities (Lisbon and Porto)

• Lisbon (LIS): daily flights to Terceira, operated by Azores Airlines and TAP. Ryanair also flies from Porto to Terceira, but only two days a week (Thursdays and Sundays).
• Porto (OPO): daily flights to Terceira, operated by Azores Airlines and TAP. Ryanair also flies from Porto to Terceira, but only two days a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays).

Flight Duration: The flight from either Porto or Lisbon to Terceira takes approximately 2 – 3 hours.

What about the other Azores Islands?

I have told you how to get to São Miguel island, but what about the other Azores Islands?

Well to travel to other Azores Islands, you first need to get to either São Miguel or to Terceira Islands. From there, you can travel to the other Azores Islands. To do so, read my article about How to travel between the Azores Islands.