There is a public bus service on the island, but just finding out when and where the bus leaves from is often very difficult and you can't do without the help of locals. Moreover, buses do not go to all the places of interest and are really only an emergency option for travellers without a driving licence.

Over 90% of tourists get around São Miguel by rental car, which is the only reasonable option.

By car

The ideal is to rent a car and travel around the island. The scooter option is not really suitable due to the unpredictable weather. Being independent of buses while exploring the island is a great advantage in the Azores, as the island offers a number of sightseeing spots, including parking. Each such viewpoint is a great attraction and it would be a shame not to take advantage of them.

Azores roads are narrow and winding, so the journey will be very slow. On the other hand, traffic is light even in the tourist season and driving is rather relaxed. The largest city, Ponta Delgada, doesn't suffer from any traffic jams either, so there's nothing to worry about.

How much does it cost to rent a car in São Miguel and what are the best rental companies? We've compiled detailed information on travelling by car in a separate chapter on car hire in São Miguel.

Buses

Relying on bus services is not wise anywhere in the Azores. São Miguel has a dense network of intercity bus routes, but most of them run only 3-4 times a day. The only exceptions are the connection between Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande, which runs about once an hour, and the trip from Ponta Delgada to Vila Franca do Campo or Mosteiros.

Tickets are always payable with the driver and vary according to the distance travelled from 1,50 eur to 6 eur.

Finding connections is easiest via saomiguelbus.com.

There are three main bus operators on São Miguel, which divide the island into thirds:

• Auto Viação Micaelense - west of the island
• Varela - southeast of the island
• Caetano, Raposo e Pereiras - north-east of the island

All stops are always on a sign. You must press the "stop" button before getting off the bus, and you must always wave to the bus before boarding. The problem is that the stops are often not signposted at all and when they are, it's just a sign informing you that there is a stop. You will not find information about timetables or line numbers practically anywhere, not even at the main stops.

Maps.com shows the location of the stops fairly reliably, while Google Maps even adds information about the line number and departure time, but this is based on out-of-date timetables and therefore may not always be accurate.

Even in Ponta Delgada, where the largest number of lines depart, you won't find a central bus station with an information office or ticket office. The buses here stop at the main bus stop near the square (location on google.com/maps), but information on the spot is mostly nil.

Where can I get to without a car?

As mentioned, travelling without a car is a fallback option in São Miguel and you'll only ever see a limited number of attractions. You can easily get to the following places by bus, for example:

• Vila Franca do Campo - from Ponta Delgada about 12 times a day
• Mosterios - from Ponta Delgada about 4-8 times a day
• Furnas - from Ponta Delgada about 3-4 times a day, from Ribeira Grande 2-5 times a day
• Ribeira Grande - from Ponta Delgada 1-2 times per hour
• Sete Cidades - from Ponta Delgada only 2-3 times a day