The Azores sit in the middle of the Atlantic, but they are surprisingly easy to reach: about 2 hours by plane from Lisbon and 4.5 to 5 hours from the US east coast. This guide explains which airports to fly into, the direct routes from Portugal, the rest of Europe and North America, how to reach the smaller islands, and the tricks that make the journey cheaper and smoother.
The short answer
- Fly, don’t sail: there is no passenger ferry from mainland Portugal or anywhere else.
- Main airport: Ponta Delgada on São Miguel (PDL), with the most flights by far. Terceira (TER) is second.
- From Europe: daily direct flights from Lisbon and Porto (about 2–2.5 hours), plus seasonal direct flights from other European cities.
- From North America: direct flights from the US east coast and Canada, about 4.5–5 hours.
- Smaller islands: connect in Ponta Delgada or Terceira, or take a ferry within the central group.
Gateways
Azores airports: where to fly into
Every island has an airport or airstrip, but only a few take flights from outside the Azores. Fly into the island where you will spend your first nights.
| Airport | Island | Flights from outside the Azores | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponta Delgada (PDL) | São Miguel | Lisbon, Porto, other European cities, the US and Canada | Most trips; the most routes and lowest fares |
| Lajes (TER) | Terceira | Lisbon, Porto and some international routes | Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge |
| Horta (HOR) | Faial | Lisbon | Faial and Pico (30 minutes by ferry) |
| Pico (PIX) | Pico | Lisbon (seasonal) | Pico |
| Santa Maria (SMA) | Santa Maria | Lisbon | Santa Maria |
São Jorge, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo only have inter-island flights. Routes and seasons change from year to year, so always check the current timetable before planning around a direct flight.
The easy route
Flights from mainland Portugal
Lisbon and Porto have the most frequent flights to the Azores, several a day to Ponta Delgada and daily to Terceira. The flight from Lisbon takes about 2 hours 15 minutes; from Porto, about 2.5 hours. Lisbon also has direct flights to Faial, Pico and Santa Maria.
- Airlines: Azores Airlines (SATA) and TAP Air Portugal fly these routes all year.
- Combining with a mainland trip: Lisbon and Porto are both good places to start or end, and many visitors add a few days in the Azores to a Portugal holiday.
- Time difference: the Azores are one hour behind Lisbon.
Across the Atlantic
Flights from the US and Canada
The Azores are closer to North America than most travellers expect: Ponta Delgada is about 3,850 km (2,400 miles) from Boston, closer than mainland Europe.
- Direct flights from the US east coast and Canada take about 4.5 to 5 hours. Boston has the most regular service; other cities such as New York and Toronto have flights, some only in summer.
- Via Lisbon or Porto: if there is no direct flight from your city, connecting in mainland Portugal works well and often adds a few days of city sightseeing.
- Stopover option: Azores Airlines has offered stopovers in the Azores on flights between North America and mainland Europe, so you can visit the islands on the way to or from Lisbon. Check the current conditions when you book.
- Jet lag is mild: the Azores are four hours ahead of US Eastern time, one hour less than Lisbon.
From the rest of Europe
Flights from the UK and Europe
Several European cities have direct flights to Ponta Delgada, and a few to Terceira, mostly in the summer season. Routes, airlines and low-cost options change from year to year, so search for flights to PDL from your nearest big airports first.
If there is no direct flight, the usual route is a connection in Lisbon or Porto. Book it on one ticket if you can, so a delay on the first flight doesn’t cost you the second.
Island by island
How to reach each island
| Island | How to get there |
|---|---|
| São Miguel | Direct from Lisbon, Porto, Europe and North America |
| Terceira | Direct from Lisbon and Porto; about 40 minutes from São Miguel |
| Faial | Direct from Lisbon, or via Ponta Delgada or Terceira; ferry from Pico |
| Pico | Seasonal from Lisbon, inter-island flights, or the 30-minute ferry from Faial |
| São Jorge | Inter-island flights, or ferries from Pico and Faial |
| Santa Maria | Direct from Lisbon, or about 30 minutes from São Miguel |
| Graciosa | Inter-island flights, mostly via Terceira |
| Flores | Inter-island flights from Ponta Delgada, Terceira or Horta |
| Corvo | Boat from Flores in summer, or a small plane |
Open-jaw tickets save time: if you are visiting several islands, fly into one (for example São Miguel) and home from another (for example Faial or Terceira) instead of returning to where you started.
By sea
Can you get to the Azores by ferry?
No. There is no passenger or car ferry between mainland Portugal (or anywhere else) and the Azores; the crossing would take days. The only ways to arrive by sea are:
- Cruise ships, which call at Ponta Delgada and sometimes Horta and Praia da Vitória, usually for a day.
- Your own yacht: Horta on Faial is one of the most famous stops for sailors crossing the Atlantic, especially in spring.
Once you are in the Azores, ferries do link some islands: Faial and Pico all year, São Jorge with Pico and Faial, and Flores with Corvo in summer.
Save money and stress
Tips for booking flights to the Azores
- Book early for summer. July and August fares rise fast, and so do hotels and hire cars.
- Compare all gateways. A flight to Ponta Delgada plus a short inter-island hop is often cheaper than a direct flight to a smaller island.
- Travel in shoulder season. May, June and September usually have lower fares and good weather.
- Leave a buffer day. Don’t schedule an inter-island flight on the same day as your flight home: wind and fog can delay the small planes, especially to Flores and Corvo.
- Check baggage rules for inter-island flights if you book them separately, as allowances can be smaller.
- Get a window seat on landing in Ponta Delgada or Horta: the approach views are spectacular.
Landing
Arriving in the Azores
- Ponta Delgada airport is about 3 km from the city centre: around 10 minutes by taxi. Car hire desks are in the arrivals hall, and there is also a bus into town.
- Lajes airport on Terceira is about 25 minutes by car from Angra do Heroísmo.
- Hire a car for most islands; book it with your flight in summer, when cars run out.
- Entry rules are the same as for mainland Portugal: the Azores are part of the EU and the Schengen area. See the essentials in our Azores travel guide.
Next step: choose your islands with which Azores island to visit, then open the free Azores map to plan your days.
Questions
Getting to the Azores: FAQ
How do you get to the Azores?
By plane. The main airport is Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, with direct flights from Lisbon, Porto, several European cities and North America. There is no ferry from the mainland.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to the Azores?
About 2 hours 15 minutes to Ponta Delgada, a little longer to Terceira, Faial and Pico.
How long is the flight from the US to the Azores?
About 4.5 to 5 hours from the US east coast to Ponta Delgada, on direct flights from Boston and, depending on the season, other cities.
Can you take a ferry from Portugal to the Azores?
No. There is no passenger ferry between mainland Portugal and the Azores. Ferries only run between some of the islands.
Which Azores airport should I fly into?
Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel for most trips, as it has the most flights. Fly into Terceira for Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge, and into Horta for Faial and Pico if there is a good connection.
What is the cheapest way to get to the Azores?
Usually a flight to Ponta Delgada outside July and August, booked early. From many European cities, a cheap flight to Lisbon or Porto plus a separate flight to the Azores can also work out well.
Can you fly directly to Pico or Flores?
Pico has some seasonal direct flights from Lisbon. Flores has inter-island flights only, from Ponta Delgada, Terceira or Horta.