Just as in Portugal, they drive on the right here too.

Travelling around the island of Flores by car is a relaxed experience thanks to the very light traffic and good-quality roads, which lead to literally every corner of the island.

How and when to book a car

There are several local car hire companies operating on Flores, such as Ilha Verde and Autatlantis. Hiring a car here works just like in any other civilised country.

However, there is one specific issue: a shortage of cars.Book your car at least 2–3 months in advance, particularly between May and September. Otherwise, you run the risk that none of the car hire companies will actually have any cars available, and you’ll end up without a car at all, which will mean having to completely overhaul your plans.

Book a car at Flores Airport (FLW)

We’ve had a particularly good experience with Ilha Verde car hire.

Car hire prices in Flores, Azores

Car hire prices are relatively reasonable if you book at least 3 months in advance.

Prices also vary depending on the season.

• Weekly hire during peak season (June to August): from 600 eur for the smallest car
• Weekly hire in the off-season (July to November): from 240 eur for the smallest car
• Compare car hire prices at Flores FLW Airport

Prices for larger SUVs are up to three times higher than for the smallest cars.

As is the case elsewhere in the world, the longer you hire a car in Flores, the lower the daily rate you’ll pay.

It’s also worth booking your car at least 2–4 months in advance. Conversely, if you book more than 7 months in advance, fewer offers will be displayed, so it’s worth waiting.

International driving licence and other documents

Flores is part of the European Union, so there is no need to obtain an international driving licence. Car hire companieswill also accept a national driving licence from any EU country.

If you hold a driving licence from a country outside the EU, Norway, Switzerland or Iceland, please ensure you have an international driving permit in addition to your driving licence.

Car hire companies usually requirea credit card to hire a car; they will often hire to you with a debit card as well, but either on less favourable terms or with a very high deposit, often exceeding1 200 eur (e.g. Ilha Verde).

Petrol prices and petrol stations

Petrol is quite expensive on Flores. European units of measurement are used here, so all prices are quotedper litre.

Petrol prices range from 1,65 eur to 1,85 eurper litre.

How do petrol stations work on Flores?

You’ll find petrol stations in the town of Santa Cruz. The island’s largest petrol station is situated right outside the airport, where you can conveniently fill up before returning your car.

There is another petrol station in the town of Lajes.

The large Galp petrol station in Santa Cruz is staffed during the day. This means that you drive up to a petrol pump, fill up with as much as you need yourself, and then go inside the shop to pay the total amount.

Outside opening hours, or at smaller petrol stations, the service is entirely self-service. First, select the maximum amount you wish to pay for petrol on the screen, or choose the ‘full tank’ option. Insert your payment card and go and fill up.

Once you’ve finished filling up, the relevant amount will be automatically deducted from your card.

Road quality and signage

The quality of the roads on Flores is excellent. The main roads are well signposted, with clear road markings and good hard shoulders.

Tarmac roads lead to absolutely every part of the island, including the completely uninhabited centre of Flores. This is because the roads are not only used by tourists, but also serve as access routes for farmers to remote pastures.

Until 2012, the quality of the secondary roads was appalling, but after that a grant was applied for and virtually all the roads on the island were repaired.

All road signs are in the European format, and supplementary signs are written in Portuguese only. What do the most common phrases on the signs mean?

• Piso em mau estado – Road in poor condition
• Atenção – Caution
• Miradouro – Viewpoint
• Moinho do água – Watermill (tourist attraction)

Traffic regulations

On Flores, they drive on the right.

Drivers are generally considerate, and it is quite common for them to give way to cars joining the main road from side roads.

You needn’t worry about reckless driving or aggressive overtaking, provided you drive more cautiously than the locals.

Speed limits

Speeds are measuredin kilometres per hour, and the maximum permitted limits are as follows:

• In built-up areas – 50 km/h (approx. 32 mph)
• Outside built-up areas – 80 km/h (approx. 50 mph)

Right of way and roundabouts

At junctions not controlled by traffic lights or road signs, the right-of-way rule applies.

Roundabouts are common, and vehicles already on the roundabout always have right of way. You should indicate before entering a roundabout in the same way as you would when approaching a normal junction, i.e.:

• I am leaving the roundabout via the first exit – I indicate right
• I am leaving the roundabout via the second exit (or the first, if it is directly opposite) – I do not indicate
• I am leaving the roundabout via the last exit – I indicate left

Once you are driving round a roundabout, you must always indicate right just before leaving it.

Alcohol, seatbelts and using a mobile phone

The use of seatbelts is compulsory and using a mobile phone whilst driving is strictly prohibited. Wearing earphones is also not permitted.

In Portugal, the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.05 per cent.

Book a car on the island of Flores

Traffic density and characteristics

Traffic density on Flores is minimal. On roads outside towns, you may go for several minutes – and sometimes even tens of minutes – without seeing a single car.

There are so few people living on the island and so few cars on the roads that local drivers always wave at oncoming traffic. Don’t be alarmed – they aren’t pointing out anything wrong with your car. They’re simply saying hello.

Parking

Parking on Flores is absolutely hassle-free. In towns, you’ll always find free public car parks, which are also common at viewpoints along the roads.