Flores measures over 12 km in length and around 10 km in width as the crow flies. However, it is very hilly, so you will need to use public transport, taxis or a hire car to get around.

Travelling by car

Many of the natural attractions – or, to be more precise, most of them – can only be reached by car, or after a full day’s walk.

That is why hiring a car is the most common way to get around the island of Flores.

We’ve put together a detailed section on prices, traffic rules and points of interest – read Car hire on Flores.

Compare car hire prices

Bus

Public bus services are operated by UTC. Bus stops are only located in villages and never outside built-up areas, so you cannot travel by bus to any of the areas on the central plateau, for example.

Buses run only from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (even if they fall on a day between Monday and Friday), buses do not run at all.

Timetables, routes and stops

There are a total of 5 bus routes on the island.

• Route 1: Santa Cruz (including the airport) – Monte – Fazenda Santa Cruz – Cedros – Ponta Ruiva – Ponta Delgada
  • The entire route is served twice a day (three times a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
  • Up to 5 times a day on the Santa Cruz – Fazenda section
  • Timetable for the Ponta Delgada direction: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.GO
  • Timetable for the Santa Cruz direction: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.RETURN
• Route 2: Santa Cruz – Ribeira dos Barqueiros – Boavista – Cavenda – Lomba – Fazenda – Lajes
  • The entire route runs 4 times a day
  • Up to 6 times a day on the Lomba – Lajes section
  • Timetable for the Lajes direction: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.GO
  • Timetable for the Santa Cruz direction: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.RETURN
• Route 3: Lajes – Costa Lajedo – Lajedo – Mosteiro – Fajãzinha – Fajã Grande
  • The entire route runs twice a day
  • Up to 3 times a day on the Lajedo – Lajes section
  • Timetable for the Fajã Grande route: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.GO
  • Timetable for the Lajes direction: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.RETURN
• Route 4: Santa Cruz – Mosteiro – Fajãzinha – Fajã Grande
  • The entire route runs once a day
  • Timetable for the Fajã Grande route: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.GO
  • Timetable for the Santa Cruz route: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.RETURN
• Route 5: Santa Cruz – Fajã Grande (non-stop)
  • Full route twice daily (operates only in July and August)
  • Timetable for the Fajã Grande route: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.GO
  • Timetable for the Santa Cruz route: iputc.beware.pt/Horario.RETURN

Stops are always marked with a blue sign featuring a bus symbol. At stops in the centres of the largest towns, a timetable for all routes on the island is also displayed, in the same format as on the official website:utc.pt/horario-flores.

Individual services are marked with different letters, which indicate the following:

• A = runs Monday to Friday all year round, including days when there is no school (except on public holidays, when it does not run)
• A1 = runs Monday to Friday all year round, only on days when there is no school (except on public holidays, when it does not run)
• B = runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, including days when there is no school (except on public holidays, when it does not run)
• C = runs only on Tuesdays and Thursdays all year round, including days when there is no school (except on public holidays, when it does not run)
• E = runs only on school days
• V = runs Monday–Friday only in July and August
• M.C. = the bus in Santa Cruz also stops at the school and the church

Fares and tickets

Tickets can only be purchased from the driver, who only accepts cash.

Ticket prices are low and are calculated based on distance. Prices range from 1,20 eur to 5 eur.

Taxis

The island of Flores has too few residents and tourists for taxis to wait for passengers at designated spots.

Taxis here operate only by prior telephone booking, which is easiest to arrange through your accommodation.

You can also book a taxi through certain travel agencies, such as Noya Tours.