São Miguel & Pico with Car

The Azores Getaways São Miguel & Pico package includes round-trip flights, 6 nights of hotel accommodation (3 nights on Pico and 3 nights on São Miguel), a rental car on each island, picked up at the respective airport, and two inter-island flights: São Miguel to Pico on day 1 and Pico to São Miguel on day 4. All taxes and fees related to the booking are included, except city taxes, which are paid directly at the hotel where applicable.

Tours and meals are not included by default. Breakfast depends on the accommodation selected, with most São Miguel hotels offering it and inclusion varying by property on Pico.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type. Confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. Seat selection and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

You fly. The inter-island connection from Pico to São Miguel is a short flight of approximately 50 minutes, included in the package. There is no ferry service between Pico and São Miguel. You return the first rental car at Pico Airport before boarding and pick up the second rental car at São Miguel Airport on arrival. The Azores Getaways team confirms all flight timings before your departure.

One rental car per island. You pick up the first car at Pico Airport on arrival and return it at Pico Airport before your inter-island flight. You pick up the second car at São Miguel Airport on arrival and return it at São Miguel Airport on departure day. You do not take the same car between islands.

Inter-island flights in the Azores are operated by smaller aircraft and carry stricter baggage allowances than your transatlantic flight. Baggage allowances on both inter-island flights - São Miguel to Pico and Pico to São Miguel - may differ from those on your main flights, depending on the fare booked. Contact the Azores Getaways team before booking to confirm the exact checked and cabin baggage allowances for both flights, and pack accordingly.

A rental car is included on each island for the full duration of your stay on that island. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request at an additional cost. Availability is more limited on Pico than on São Miguel, so request automatic early if needed. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. There are no toll roads on Pico or São Miguel.

The rental car on each island includes basic third-party liability insurance. Depending on the rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included, but most rentals still carry a mandatory excess. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available at pickup. This can be arranged through the Azores Getaways team.

The rental car is essential on both islands. There is no Uber or ride-sharing service in the Azores. Taxis are available in main towns but limited in rural areas. Public buses exist on both islands but are infrequent and don't serve most attractions. On Pico, the vineyards, lava caves, lakes, and natural pools all require a car. On São Miguel, Sete Cidades, Furnas, Lagoa do Fogo, and the Nordeste coast all require a car.

Yes. A ferry from Madalena on Pico to Horta on Faial takes approximately 30 minutes. The ferry is not included in the package, tickets are purchased directly at the port. Faial is worth a full day for the Capelinhos Volcano, Peter Café Sport in Horta Marina, and the caldera rim views. Contact the Azores Getaways team and we can include a guided Faial day trip as an optional add-on.

Yes. The Azores Getaways team can add Faial or São Jorge to your itinerary, either as a day trip from Pico by ferry or as an overnight stay with an additional rental car.

Both islands are part of the Azores Triangle. Depending on your destination, travel date, and departure time, ferries may depart from Madalena or São Roque do Pico, subject to schedules and availability.

Contact the team with your preferred dates, and we will put together a combined itinerary and send it by email.

Yes. Pico is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world, with sperm whales present year-round and blue whales, humpbacks, and fin whales visiting seasonally. Whale watching tours depart from Madalena and Lajes do Pico and are available as an optional add-on. Contact the Azores Getaways team when booking and we will include the right tour for your travel dates.

Three nights on Pico give you time to explore its volcanic landscapes, wine heritage, and coastal villages at a relaxed pace. Discover the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape at Criação Velha, where vines grow within black volcanic stone walls, and explore Gruta das Torres on a guided visit booked in advance.

Head inland to discover the island’s lakes, visit the Whalers’ Museum in Lajes do Pico, and enjoy natural swimming pools along the coast.

For a more demanding adventure, consider climbing Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak at 2,351 metres. Climbs are possible year-round, subject to weather, trail conditions, and access restrictions. Registration at Casa da Montanha is required; a guide is optional but can provide valuable support on the ascent.

The package includes accommodation ranging from unrated properties to 3-star hotels, with optional upgrades to 4-star and 5-star hotels, depending on the island and availability.

In Pico, several standard options are vineyard estates and wine-themed boutique stays, offering a base for exploring the island by car. In São Miguel, choices include 3-star hotels, boutique properties, and higher-category hotels, with locations both within and outside Ponta Delgada’s city center. A rental car is included, making it easy to explore from your chosen accommodation.

Available properties and upgrade options are displayed when you select a date in the booking calendar. The package price varies depending on the accommodation selected.

Breakfast is generally not included by default and depends on the accommodation selected. However, most São Miguel hotels offered in this package include breakfast, while on Pico it varies by property. Please check the meal plan for your chosen accommodation when booking or contact the Azores Getaways team for clarification.

City taxes are not included and must be paid directly at the hotel, where applicable.

Both islands can be visited year-round. Spring (April to June) offers mild temperatures around 17°C to 20°C (63°F to 68°F), lush landscapes, and ideal hiking conditions. Summer (July to August) reaches 22°C to 25°C (72°F to 77°F), best for whale watching and the natural pools. Autumn (September to October) stays warm at 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F), quieter and excellent value. Pico Mountain is most accessible between June and September. Winter (November to March) averages 14°C to 17°C (57°F to 63°F), quieter and most affordable.

Yes to all three. The Azores Getaways team can add nights on either island, include Faial, Terceira, or other islands, or adjust the itinerary. If you are travelling solo, the package price is based on two travelers sharing a room and a single supplement applies. You can check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices. Contact the Azores Getaways team directly and we will make it easy.

The Azores are part of Portugal, a safe and well-visited destination with no active conflicts and not affected by the current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere. US and Canadian passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. ETIAS is not yet mandatory. When it becomes mandatory, the Azores Getaways team will notify you in advance.

⚠️ Please note that if your itinerary includes a transit or layover in the United Kingdom, you will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. Entry requirements can change, and it is the traveler's responsibility to verify current visa, passport, and transit requirements before departure through their government's official travel advisory website.

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended for a multi-island trip with non-refundable flights. For general support, contact the Azores Getaways team at our regular number, available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in the Azores, dial 112.

The hotels in this Azores Getaways package are selected because they have parking on site or nearby. Parking is not always free, and parking costs are not included in the package price. Please check the parking conditions during the booking process. If free parking is a priority for you, contact the Azores Getaways team: we will prioritize hotels with free parking and send you a quote.