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Getting from Ponta Delgada Airport to the City Centre

The island of Sao Miguel in the Azores archipelago is famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes. The quaint city of Ponta Delgada is also a highlight of the island and a short 8-minute taxi ride to the city centre from Ponta Delgada Airport.

Two transport options are available to get you from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre, but no local public transportation covers that route. It’s a mere 3 km distance and you can either jump into an airport taxi or private transfer or take the shared minibus provided by the ANC Aerobus, which covers most of Ponta Delgada. This minibus service operates like a shared shuttle service, has limited seating and runs at 40-minute intervals from 5:00 to 22:00.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Ponta Delgada at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €15 10min 24/7
Bus €16 15min 05:00–22:00

Getting a taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre

A taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre is a great option as the transfer will take less than 10 minutes. After a long flight, it’s always great to know that you’ll get to your accommodation, quickly and hassle-free. Taxis are available at the airport taxi stand 24/7, or for even greater convenience you can book your taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost of a taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre

The cost of a taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre will be about €15. Taxis charge fixed-rate fares, based on the following day rates: an initial fare charge of €3.60 and a per km cost of €0.74. Day rates are applicable from 6:00 to 21:00 and night rates come into effect from 21:00 to 6:00 at a 20% extra cost.

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

10 minutes

The cost is based on a day-rate transfer (6:00 to 21:00). Night rates (21:00 to 6:00) are subject to a 20% surcharge.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis at Ponta Delgada Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Ponta Delgada (João Paulo II) Airport is a relatively small travel hub made up of one terminal building. The airport taxi rank is therefore easy to find as is located directly outside the Arrivals Hall.

Convenience

The convenience of a taxi or private transfer and its door-to-door service directly to your hotel is undeniable. You will reach your destination of choice with the least amount of effort and in the quickest way possible. This convenience is even more noticeable after a long flight or when travelling with young children or a lot of luggage.

Editor’s Note

Please note that taxis in Ponta Delgada only accept cash; card payments are not possible.

Useful Tips

Ponta Delgada taxis offer fixed-rate fares, so make sure you agree with your driver on the transfer cost at the start of your journey.
During the peak tourist season (June-August) finding a cab may be more difficult, so booking your taxi transfers in advance is recommended.
If you'd like to avoid carrying cash around with you to pay for a taxi, you can pre-book and pay online using your preferred card.

Getting from Ponta Delgada Airport to town by minibus

Due to the island terrain, the only alternative transport option from Ponta Delgada Airport to the town of Ponta Delgada is using a minibus. The ANC Aerobus operates just like a shared shuttle service. Its route is made up of  22 stops and it covers the majority of the Ponta Delgada city centre. The bus takes just over 15 minutes to reach the centre and is available from 5:00 to 22:00 at 40-minute intervals.

Bus cost from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre

The ANC Aerobus adult single ticket price is €8, whilst an adult return ticket will cost €14. Children up to the age of 11 can ride for free, and senior citizens over 64 years of age can purchase a ticket for €7. Tickets can be bought either from the ANC kiosk in the airport Arrivals Hall or from the driver directly, in cash.

Cost

€8

Trip Duration

15 minutes

An adult single bus ticket is €8, under 11s ride for free and over 64s can buy a ticket for €7.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

The ANC Aerobus from Ponta Delgada Airport to town runs from 5:00 to 22:00 daily, every 40 minutes.

Where do I get the bus from?

The ANC Aerobus service to the Ponta Delgada city centre departs from a bus stop located just outside of the Arrivals Hall. Look out for the white and orange buses with the ANC Aerobus name on them. You can also get directions to the stop from the ANC kiosk that is located at the Arrivals Hall.

Convenience

The ANC Aerobus service is a convenient option to travel to Ponta Delgada. It is affordable and available from 5:00 to 22:00 daily. Just be aware that the bus is quite small and can only take a limited number of passengers so you might not be able to take the first available bus if you arrive during a busy time. Moreover, if you’re not a solo traveller looking to save some cash, the taxi might end up being a better value for money option for your group, whilst providing privacy and comfort.

Editor’s Note

The ANC Aerobus service doesn't currently have a dedicated website but there is a lot of information (including the route and stops) on their official Facebook page.

Useful Tips

Consider taking a taxi if there are more of you travelling together, as it may be more affordable and you will reach your destination faster, with privacy.
Check the ANC Aerobus service route on Facebook to find the most convenient stop to disembark at, depending on your hotel.
There is no extra charge for your luggage when taking the ANC Aerobus service.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre?

There are limited options from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre and no public transportation covers that route. The most convenient and fastest option is a taxi or private transfer and the alternative is the ANC Aerobus, which operates like a shared shuttle service. 

What’s the cost of a taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre?

The cost of a taxi from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre will be about €15 based on the current day rate (6:00 to 21:00). Night fares are subject to a 20% extra charge and come into effect from 21:00 to 6:00. All taxi fares are fixed and the fare should be agreed upon at the start of the journey. You can always pre-book and pay for your transfer in advance with a reliable company like Welcome Pickups for a competitive, all-inclusive fare with no hidden costs and a fair cancellation policy.

How far is it from Ponta Delgada Airport to the city centre?

Ponta Delgada Airport is very close to the city centre, less than 3 km away to be precise. A taxi will therefore take 8-10 minutes to transfer you from Ponta Delgada Airport to town, while the available minibus service will take 15-20 minutes depending on where exactly you are staying in the centre.

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