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Exploring São Jorge island in the Azores is an unforgettable experience, and the easiest way to make the most of your trip is to rent a car in São Jorge. The island’s dramatic landscapes, steep cliffs, and hidden fajãs (coastal plateaus) are spread across 60 km of roads, making public transport impractical for most travelers. Whether you’re arriving by ferry from Pico or Faial, or flying from São Miguel or Terceira, having your own car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Things you need to know before renting a car in São Jorge island
Where to rent a car
There are basically two places for you to rent a car in São Jorge island:
- São Jorge airport, which is located in Queimada. This makes sense if you’re coming by plane from São Miguel, Terceira or other Azores island.
- At the pier on the island, in the center of Velas, the island’s largest town. This makes sense if you are coming by ferry from Pico or Faial islands.
Either way, when I need to rent a car in São Jorge (or in any other place in the Azores, really) I always use AutoEurope, a fantastic price aggregator. There are plenty of similar prices out there but what really distinguishes AutoEurope is that they have an outstanding customer support. And trust me, when your flight is delayed or you simply did a mistake when booking your car, it’s great to talk to a trustworthy operator like AutoEurope.
The roads in São Jorge island are in pretty good conditions
When I got to São Jorge the first time I was coming from Pico island, where the roads are in terrible, terrible conditions. So it was a pleasant surprise to find the roads in this island in pretty good shape, making it a nice experience to drive in São Jorge island in the Azores, with the exception of…
The roads to access the Fajãs are very steep
Even though the roads in São Jorge are in good shape (especially when compared to the ones in other islands in the Azores), some of them are EXTREMELY steep, particularly the ones that give access to the famous fajãs (if you don’t know what a fajã is, read my article about the Best things to do in São Jorge as you’re definitely missing out).
You really need to keep your shit together when driving there, especially when going up, because it is not easy to find the biting point of your car (don’t forget that most rental cars in the Azores are manual, not automatic!).
So my recommendation for you is: if you’re not a skilled driver or if you are not used to driving manual, make sure that someone in your group does OR instead of visiting the Fajãs by car, hike there 😉
All rental cars in São Jorge island get sold out with MONTHS in advance
This is something really dramatic happening in all the islands in the Azores archipelago, but it definitely affects smaller islands like São Jorge more. Rental cars in São Jorge island get sold out weeks (sometimes even months!) in advance, especially during the summer months: June, July and August.
Most people make the huge mistake of booking their flights and their accommodation in advance without renting a car in São Jorge island in the Azores, leaving that task for the last minute, but don’t make that silly mistake because you risk not finding a car when you finally decide to look for one. This means that you get to an island where you will need to get a taxi to do all the best things to do in São Jorge island in the Azores, and that is terribly expensive my friend.
So do the smart thing and book your car with AutoEurope, a price aggregator that will give you the best prices on the market.
Car Types & Insurance
Given that the roads to the fajãs are very steep and, in general, the roads on São Jorge are quite narrow, it’s important to choose the right type of vehicle. For most travelers, a compact car works best for navigating tight streets and limited parking spaces. However, if you plan to drive the steeper routes or explore remote areas, a 4×4 can provide extra confidence and stability.
When renting a car on São Jorge island, full insurance is highly recommended. Even minor bumps or scratches on cliffside roads can be expensive, and insurance gives peace of mind while driving in challenging conditions. Always check what is included in your rental agreement and consider extra coverage if needed.
Gas stations in São Jorge island in the Azores
The first thing you need to know about gas stations in São Jorge island is that there are only three of them 😅 As the island is quite long (60 km, or 37 miles, in total), that means you need to plan your refueling carefully so you don’t run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, far from a station.
In total, there are 3 gas stations on the island: one in Velas, the main city where the pier is located; one in Urzelina, the friendly fishing village by the sea; and the remaining on the EN1, the main access road to the south of the island of São Jorge.
One important thing to know when renting a car on the island of São Jorge in the Azores is that there are no gas stations off the main roads. In other words, the entire north side of São Jorge Island, as well as the extreme north of it, DOES NOT have gas stations.
So plan your trip well so you don’t run out of gas in the middle of the woods!
Useful information about gas stations in São Jorge island
Estação de Serviço Repsol (Velas)
Address: Parque Industrial das Levadas, EN1 9800-000 Velas
Working hours: 7am – 8pm
Payment: Accepts portuguese cards, MBWAY and cash
Severino e Silva (Relvinha)
Address: EN2 9850, Relvinha (next to a Calheta Health Center)
Working hours: 7a.m – 10p.m
Payment: Accepts portuguese debit cards and cash (there is one ATM outside if you need to withdraw money!)
Galp (Calheta/Ribeira Seca)
Address: Travessas – Ribeira Seca, EN2 9850-261 Estreito da Calheta
Working hours: 7a.m – 10p.m
Payment: Accepts portuguese cards, MBWAY and cash.
Driving tips
- Gear: Most cars on the island are manual, so if you’re not comfortable with a stick shift, make sure someone in your group can drive one.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on main roads.
- Weather considerations: “São Jorge can get foggy or rainy, especially in higher elevations. Drive carefully and reduce speed on wet roads.”
- Animal crossings: Sometimes cows or other animals may be on rural roads; a heads-up is always appreciated.
- Night driving: Roads are not well-lit outside towns. Only drive at night if confident.
- Parking: it is generally easy in Velas, but near popular viewpoints or fajãs, space can be tight. Get there early in the morning!
- Seasonality: Summer is the busiest season, so book your car early. In winter, roads can be slippery, especially in the higher elevations, so drive carefully and check the weather forecast before heading out.
If you want to fully enjoy the island’s beauty and reach even its most remote spots, the smartest choice is to rent a car in São Jorge. Plan ahead, book your vehicle in advance, and prepare for some steep but unforgettable drives—it’s the key to a hassle-free and memorable trip.
