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Are you planning to visit Ponta Delgada? With an all-in rental car from Sunny Cars from Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport, you'll make the most of your trip. Ponta Delgada is the bustling capital of the island of São Miguel, part of the Azores. By renting a car you can explore the island's beautiful nature and charming villages at your own pace. Visit the impressive crater lakes of Sete Cidades, relax in the hot springs of Furnas or enjoy the views at Lagoa do Fogo. A rental car gives you the freedom to reach all these places without depending on public transport.
With Sunny Cars, you always rent all-in. That means no surprises. Our all-inclusive formula includes all insurances you need. As standard, you are insured with comprehensive CDW insurance, which also covers damage to glass, tyres, floor and roof. There is also theft insurance and additional third-party insurance for extra peace of mind. Unlimited mileage is included, so you can drive as much as you want at no extra cost. Plus, you get excess reimbursement. Our Dutch customer service is at your service 24/7, so you can always count on us.
There are several ways you can pick up your rental car at Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport:
With Sunny Cars you can customise your car rental even more with our extras and services. Extras are paid locally when you pick up your rental car. Services are already included in the all-in rental price.
Want to share the driving with your travelling companion? Then choose our Extra Driver service. This includes an additional driver at no extra cost. So you can both get behind the wheel and enjoy everything São Miguel has to offer. Handy if you drive long distances or just want to alternate!
Signposts in Portugal
In Portugal, road signs are mainly in Portuguese. In the Azores, including São Miguel, signs are generally clear and well-maintained. Look out for signs saying ‘Proibido Estacionar’, which means parking is prohibited.
Busy days on the road
During the summer months and around public holidays, São Miguel's roads can be busier. Especially at popular attractions such as Furnas and Sete Cidades. Plan your excursions early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Toll roads on São Miguel
There are no toll roads on São Miguel, so you can drive around freely without incurring extra costs.
Refuelling in Portugal
Petrol stations on São Miguel offer ‘Gasolina’ (petrol) and ‘Gasóleo’ (diesel). Pay close attention to which type of fuel your car needs. Most filling stations are self-service and often close early in the evening, so fill up on time.
With your rental car on the ferry.
You are usually not allowed to take your rental car on the ferry to any of the other islands in the Azores. Check the specific conditions of your rental car to check if it is allowed with your car rental.
Destinations around Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II Airport
All destinations in Portugal
Book your all-inclusive rental car
Absolutely, with Sunny Cars you always rent all-inclusive. So not only are all insurances already included, we also take care of the excess. You only pay the excess when picking up the rental car. After the car rental, you will be reimbursed. Even if you have accidentally caused damage. Would you like to rent a car without excess? That is possible with Sunny Cars. Then hire a car with the No Risk Service. We have already bought off the excess and you don't have to pay anything at the rental location. Ideal if you don't have a credit card!
Of course, you can choose to bring your own child seat on holiday. But you can also choose to add a child seat to your car rental. You do this by adding it as an accessory when filling in your travel details during booking. The cost of the seat will be paid when you pick up the rental car and is already shown during booking.
The fairest fuel policy is full-full. A full-full fuel policy does not necessarily mean that you receive and return the car fully refuelled, even though the name suggests so. Full-full means that you return the car with the same amount of fuel you picked it up with. Want to know more? Read more about our fair fuel policy.
While it is possible to rent a car in Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II airport upon arrival, that is not our advice. In fact, you can save money by booking in advance. But much more importantly, by booking in advance, you can be sure that your car will be ready when you arrive. So take a look around the online offer and choose a car that suits your holiday. With Sunny Cars you can be sure that there will be no extra costs, you can see in advance exactly what you will spend on your car rental in Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II airport.
Not all Sunny Cars rental cars come with a navigation system as standard. Want to make sure your rental car has GPS? There are two ways to do so:
The cost of car rental at Ponta Delgada Joao Paulo II airport depends on several factors such as travel period, category, car rental location and of course how long you want to rent the car. Pay close attention to what all is included and check the fuel and mileage policy for a total overview of the costs. Want to know how much you will spend on your car rental? Enter your travel details at the top of the page and click ‘search rental cars’. Pick a car that suits your needs and you will immediately see the clear, all-in price.
Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport is the main gateway to the island of São Miguel and the Azores. The airport handles over a million passengers annually and has one modern terminal. Domestic flights to other islands as well as international flights to mainland Portugal and other European destinations depart from here. Thanks to its compact layout, picking up your rental car is quick and easy.
The airport is just a few kilometres from the centre of Ponta Delgada. Via the EN1-1A you can be in the heart of the city within 10 minutes. On the way, you have views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a short and easy drive, ideal to start your trip relaxed.
From the airport, you can easily explore other towns on São Miguel. Take the EN1-1A north and you'll reach Ribeira Grande in about 20 minutes, past green hills and tea plantations. If you drive east on the same road, you will arrive in Vila Franca do Campo after about 30 minutes, with beautiful coastal panoramas and viewpoints such as Miradouro de Santa Iria along the way.
Roads on São Miguel are generally well maintained but can be narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. Be careful and alert to local traffic situations, such as agricultural vehicles and pedestrians. The main roads between larger towns are usually wider and more comfortable to drive.
Due to the hilly and sometimes steep landscape, it is advisable to choose a car with a bit more power. A compact car with a powerful engine is often sufficient, but for extra comfort and space, an SUV is an excellent choice. This will give you more grip on the road and extra luggage space for all your adventures.
The Azores can be visited all year round, but the best travel time is from May to October. During this period, the weather is milder and sunnier, ideal for outdoor activities. Keep in mind that the weather can change quickly, so flexible planning is useful.
Sample local specialities such as ‘Cozido das Furnas’, a stew cooked underground with geothermal heat. Fresh seafood and fish dishes such as ‘Lapas’ (sea snails) and grilled tuna are also recommended. Don't forget to try the local pineapple, a sweet treat. If you like wine, there are regional wines to explore. However, drink in moderation and don't get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
24/7 emergency number
Everything arranged and paid for in advance. You can therefore rent a car carefree! If something still goes wrong or you have an urgent question, please contact our Dutch emergency number so that we can quickly help you on your way again.
Additional third-party liability
It goes without saying that liability insurance is included when you rent a car. However, we go the extra mile with our standard (extra) liability cover of at least €10 million. We like to play it safe so that you can enjoy a carefree holiday!
Fair fuel policy
You always rent a car with us under the fuel policy full-full. This means you return the rental car with the same level of petrol it had at the handover. You therefore do not pay an expensive fuel surcharge and know exactly where you stand.
Refund of excess
If you rent a car from Sunny Cars, you do not have to pay the excess. In the case of damage to the rental car, you pay the excess up front and on site, for us to then return the sum into your bank account soonest.
Unlimited Mileage
During a holiday, doesn´t everyone want to rent a car without worries and enjoy the destination in the best possible way? That’s why we offer you unlimited mileage, so that you can explore the most beautiful spots.
Window-tire-undercarriage-roof damage
Broken window, flat tire, knock, dent or scratch? No problem, renting an all-in car from Sunny Cars is truly all-in! The coverage for damage to glass, tires, undercarriage (including oil sump and clutch) and roof is also included as standard.
Book your all-inclusive rental car
