Rent a Car Azores: The Complete Guide to Renting a Vehicle in the Azores

Rent a Car in the Azores, the complete guide. Here begins the most comprehensive and detailed content you will find on all topics related to car rental in the Azores Archipelago.

When you decide to travel to paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to choosing airlines, accommodations, and or activities to do, renting a car is also a very important topic. There are numerous questions that also arise when choosing the best rent a car in the Azores or which one will be the cheapest. But does the cheapest mean possible problems? Why is it cheaper?

Jorge Caetano

We understand all your questions and with them in mind, we have gathered complete and detailed answers to the most frequently asked questions about renting vehicles in the Azores islands.

Rent a Car in the Azores

There are over 100 driverless car rental companies in the Azores. Some are branches of companies that have expanded their business between islands, thus also offering – a greater selection for loyal customers who prefer the brand.

The car rental companies do not only offer car rentals, as many also have other vehicles in their fleet, allowing for the rental of:

• Light passenger vehicles;
• Motorcycles;
• Mopeds;
• Tricycles;
• Quadricycles.

As you can see, the offerings of these types of companies in the Azores are extensive, so renting a vehicle will not be a problem, being possible to rent on any island of the archipelago.

Should I rent a car in the Azores?

The quick and direct answer to your question is: it depends. There is no right or exact answer to this question, as it varies depending on the type of tourism you want to do, your ideals, or plans for activities or group tours or using public transport.

Nature Lovers

Some argue that vacations in the Azores should be spent with the closest contact with nature, and foregoing a vehicle is part of that plan, using alternative means of transport, such as public transport, only for longer distances from urban areas, and the rest of the journey done by hiking with a backpack, covering hundreds of kilometers across the island. It’s an excellent option and, of course, the choice is yours, surely you will pass through places and experience moments that no car will take you.

Dislikes Driving

Many tourists also opt for guided group tours or private tours through tourist activity companies. Being on vacation and driving, for those who spend hours driving throughout the year, can be something that prevents you from enjoying your vacation. Choosing a company offering guided tours, which takes you to the main tourist spots, is an excellent option for those who do not like to drive or simply do not want to drive during their vacation, thus enjoying the view and the entire trip.

Loves to Drive and Desires Flexible Scheduling

If you finally enjoy controlling your time to the utmost and at the same time driving and having a vehicle available at any time, renting a vehicle is a very valid option. Renting a car allows you to have flexible scheduling (on a guided tour or group, you end up having limited time. If you want to enjoy some scenery or place a bit longer, you are limited to the activity’s end time, for example).

Many tourists end up renting a vehicle in the Azores precisely for the freedom to explore at their own pace (which may also be related to their length of stay in the archipelago). Start and arrive at the times you wish and stop at tourist sites without time pressure. Compared to the previous point, the disadvantage is that you do not have a tour guide to explain the history of the scenes you observe.

Do I need to rent a car?

In summary of the above points, whether to rent a vehicle in the Azores is up to you. There is no right answer, although many tourists rent a vehicle and explore the islands at their own pace, everything depends on your personal tastes and how you want to spend your vacation: behind the wheel of a vehicle, guided by companies specializing in tours and tour guides, or exploring at your own pace without a vehicle.

With or without a vehicle, we are sure that your stay will be incredible, and you will enjoy an amazing vacation. Evaluate all the points inherent in renting a vehicle and make your choice.

How to choose a Rent a Car in the Azores?

Choosing a rent a car is not always easy. This is because there are numerous factors that are important to consider and that you certainly question before proceeding. We are sure that one of the main factors in choosing a rent a car is the price. But there are more factors that we are sure you also question and evaluate, such as:

• price
• deposit
• life insurance / third-party / comprehensive
• mileage limit
• full to full
• condition of vehicles
• fuel
• manual or automatic

These are the main topics when choosing the company where you will rent your car. To help you, we list below some quick answers about these topics.

Price

Undoubtedly, this is an important factor. After all, besides all the other topics, this is the one that will weigh on your vacation budget. Still, we emphasize that price is not always the most important factor, and care should be taken in just looking at this point. You can rent a car at a very cheap price and not have looked at the deposit issue. In this case, you need to have a budget that counts for both the rental value of the vehicle and the deposit amount.

Deposit

As indicated above, there are car rental companies that require a deposit. That is, a monetary value (which is presented based on various factors defined by the rent a car) that you must have available to – if something happens to the vehicle – the company can debit the inherent expenses from that same value.

Normally the deposit is requested as a signal on a credit card, where the total value is “blocked” on your card in favor of the company. When you finish renting the vehicle, and if there has been nothing that justifies the use of that value, the block is removed, and the value continues on your card.

The deposit is a guarantee for the car rental company when it rents its cars and runs the risk of damage to the vehicle and suffering a loss. There are also companies that discard this option, subject to subscribing to a comprehensive insurance policy.

Insurances

The insurances available when renting a vehicle are important, and you should pay attention to them. Third-party insurance is mandatory by law and will be the base you have. There are numerous additional insurances that you can add to your rental and thus have a more relaxed vacation in case something goes less well. Some extra insurances that may be useful:

• Comprehensive insurance: this is one of the most subscribed at the time of renting a car. It gives you full peace of mind during your vacation, being that if something less good happens, even a small risk, it won’t be a problem for you. Comprehensive insurance covers these and other incidents, normal and that can happen to anyone and anywhere.
• Rim insurance: is valid only for damage to the rims. We know that sometimes a slight carelessness can lead the wheel to the curb or even hit a stone on it and scratch it. With rim insurance, you know that this will not be a problem nor will it incur extra expenses.

We recommend that you check the available insurances and make the choice of those that seem most suitable to you. As indicated earlier, choosing comprehensive insurance, in some rent a cars, removes the requirement for a deposit. Evaluate the best option for you.

Mileage Limit

There may be car rental offers that include a mileage limit per day or for the total of your rental. The daily rental value may even be slightly cheaper than other offers with unlimited mileage. Evaluate what you think is best, as in the case of unlimited kilometers, you have no additional worries on your vacation.

Full to Full

This is a term used to define that the car is delivered to you with a full fuel tank, and you should return it equally full at checkout. If this indication is not present, the car is likely delivered with whatever fuel is in the tank at the time of the reservation, being noted on the rental sheet, and you should return it in the same way it was delivered to you.

In the case of full to full, you are sure and find it easier that, in the end and when delivering, you just need to return the car with a full tank.

Condition of Vehicles

Most rent a cars in the Azores have recent and updated fleets. Many with cars of the current year or with just a few days or months upon their arrival in the Azores. Check the photos on the various company websites or social networks, to review the available models, type, number of seats, among others that meet your taste or need.

Fuel

You will find gasoline or diesel vehicles. Diesel vehicles tend to be more economical on a day-to-day basis, however – and in the case of the Azores and given the number of kilometers you will drive – the option of a gasoline car is also a good choice. Pay attention to this factor at the time of booking, as the price per liter of gasoline is slightly higher than that of diesel.

Manual or Automatic

Another important choice factor is the gearbox of the vehicle you will rent. Manual or Automatic. Here it will be a matter of personal taste and or what you are used to in your day-to-day life and or vehicle. The values of the vehicles can vary based on their gearbox, so pay attention to the type of gearbox also at the time of choice.

Requirements for Renting a Car

Renting a car is a simple process and at the same time with some rules, as some points we have already mentioned above. In terms of legal and paperwork, these are the mandatory requirements and necessary documentation to be able to rent a vehicle in the Azores:

Minimum Age

To rent a vehicle in the Azores, you must be of legal age (+18) and have a driver’s license for motor vehicles (category B).

Note: Keep in mind that in some rent a cars, the number of years of driving experience is also a decisive factor. If you have had a driver’s license for a short time, inform yourself with the rent a car about their criteria on this topic.

Required Documents

• Driver’s License;
• ID Card or Passport;
• Credit Card

Renting a Car at the Airport or Before the Trip

It is recommended that you always make your rent a car reservation before the trip, this way you ensure that when you arrive at the destination, the vehicle is waiting for you. If you decide to rent at the time of arrival, at the Airport, you may find some companies available (not at all airports in the Azores) that offer this service, risking – as indicated before – the available offer.

Renting on arrival or after reaching the hotel may also be something that causes you to lose time from your vacation, in a process that can be handled without a problem before your trip, whether by phone or internet.

Picking Up the Car at the Airport or Hotel

Some opt to pick up the car at the airport, thus starting their journey right after disembarking. On the other hand, if you have a reservation with a transfer from the airport to the hotel and want the vehicle to be delivered or picked up at the hotel, the rent a cars also offer this service. For this, you should choose and indicate the pick-up and drop-off location of your vehicle at the hotel.

Check if this choice has additional costs, as pick-up/delivery fees may apply.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car

The cost of renting a vehicle in the Azores varies based on the various factors we have indicated above. It is possible to find vehicles from €5 per day, for example. But as we discussed above, the final price will always depend on various factors: vehicle, vehicle group, fuel, unlimited mileage or not, and insurances.

Use the search engine available on our site and find the best rent a cars in the Azores at the best prices today:

Recommendations

In addition to the questions and topics above, here are some recommendations we highlight when renting and returning your vehicle:

• Always check the condition of the vehicle at the time of rental and upon return; Also accompany the rent a car employee during the inspection;
• Pay attention to dirt on the vehicle, additional fees may apply if you return the vehicle dirty;
• Ensure the fuel level at the time of reservation and when returning the vehicle;

Now that you have all the information, choose your rent a car in the Azores and respective vehicle and have an excellent stay in the Azores. Also, get recommendations from other travelers about rent a car in the Facebook group Azores Lovers >

See also: Our experience with Rent a Car Magic Islands >