Sao Miguel, questions about taxi and rental car

Posted by Phaser on 03/29/24 04:08 PM

Our family of 4 are planning to go to Sao Miguel for 8 days at the end of May.

Our current plan is to spend the first 3 days in an Airbnb in a more remote village, maybe Ribeira Grande. We will get a rental car when we arrive at the airport. After 3 days, we will move to another Airbnb in Ponta Delgada. We will return the rental car and enjoy the city by relying on walking and occasional taxi. Then on departure day, we will take a taxi to the airport.

Here are my questions:
1. Does this plan sound reasonable? Any potential issue? Would it be easier if we just stay in Ponta Delgada for the whole time? We can still rent a car for the first half of the trip and use it to explore farther away places.
2. Our flight from YYZ to PDL will arrive at 6:30 AM. How long does it usually take to go through the custom?
3. For the rental car, I have heard good things about Azores Easy Rent. Their price is more reasonable than other agencies. Anybody had personal experience with them? I have my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and it provides rental car damage insurance, so I am not too concerned about being charged for unexpected damages. Obviously will still be diligent and photo/video the car before and after pickup & dropoff.
4. On our departure day, we will need a taxi to the airport. On the website for Ponta Delgada Taxi Association, it lists fixed fare from the airport to Ponta Delgada. I assume it's the same fare going the other way? It says "with luggage, 10 euro". Does anybody know if it's per person or per ride? We have 4 people with 3 or 4 suitcases, so a normal sedan is not going to cut it.

BTW, Carl, if you are reading this, I just bought your book from Amazon. Even though we haven't been to Azores yet, I have a feeling (from all the research so far) that we will really like it. I can totally see us going back there again and again. So it's a no-brainer to invest in a comprehensive guide.

Posted by Carl

Rhode Island, USA

03/29/24 08:48 PM

472 posts

Your general questions will be answered in the first 52 pages. I will answer your questions here as well…

Any plan will work. I would favor staying in walking distance of the centers of Ribeira Grande, Ponta Delgada, Povoacao, or Vila Franca do Campo for a first visit. Get your bearings on this trip regarding for driving times, nearby and easy access to restaurants, supermarkets, evening walks, etc.. I always recommend Ponta Delgada for the first visit. Save smaller villages for a hotel/apartment/house on a further trip. You will understand better after delving into the guidebook.
It depends (sorry). Normal should be around 45 minutes until you are at the car rental desks or outside at the taxi rank.

Your passport is stamped at passport control, and you simply walk through the “Nothing to declare” line for customs. More details are in the book regarding what could take longer or much longer.

I have never used that agency. All have good and bad reviews, while some have more bad reviews than good reviews. Use my book information to narrow down which agency and type of car. I have used about 10 different agencies over the past 29 years of visiting Sao Miguel. Sometimes I make reservations directly with an agency, sometimes through a third party who issue vouchers. If you can drop your car off in the city, and not return at the airport, you just saved about 10 euros by not needing a taxi back to Ponta Delgada. Be specific in your reservation as to where you want to drop off the car.
The cost is per taxi, not person. Have your hotel call for a larger taxi when you are ready or they can reserve one for you for any time you want. Simple. A minivan taxi will cost a bit more and they luggage will also have an added cost. The drivers are honest, so don’t worry. Remember, taxis do not have a meter and only accept euros.

I am ALWAYS an email away for Azores questions or ideas you would like to run by me. My email is in the guidebook. Or, send me a private message through this forum.

Posted by kathryndesign

03/29/24 08:50 PM

71 posts

Heading there myself, so I’m not an expert… Personally, I want to see as much as the land as possible. hot springs, tea plantation, swimming holes, dramatic landscape … Plus with one area experiencing rain while another area is clear, I want to be flexible to drive where I’d like to go when clear. Ponta Delgada seems small and not more than a couple days visit. Or possibly home base and then drive to see the sites.