Quick answer. Ponta Delgada's airport on São Miguel is only about 3 kilometres from the town centre, a short taxi ride of around €10 to €15, and many visitors collect a hire car in arrivals. For euros, use a Multibanco bank machine in the terminal; like all Portuguese bank machines, they charge nothing at the machine. Choose euros if a terminal offers to charge you in dollars, a common prompt with so many flights from the United States and Canada. Portugal has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, and neither do the Azores.
Where to get euros at PDL
At PDL any Multibanco machine is a good choice, and the exchange counter is the only real trap. Figures below are for the euro equivalent of $100, at roughly €1 = $1.15.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multibanco ATM with a no-FX-fee card | Arrivals and across Ponta Delgada | Network rate, no machine fee | ~$115-116 |
| BoA or other fee-charging card at Multibanco | Arrivals and town | Your bank's foreign and non-network fees | ~$119-123 |
| Airport exchange counter | Arrivals | Wide spread plus commission | ~$123-130 |
| Accepting 'charge in USD' at any terminal | Anywhere | +4-8% conversion markup | ~$120-125 |
Multibanco machines at Ponta Delgada (PDL), and getting into town
João Paulo II Airport, named after the pope who visited in 1991, is the busiest in the Azores and the main link to Lisbon, Porto and North America. Azores Airlines flies from Boston and other North American cities, often landing early in the morning, and United has flown seasonally from Newark. The same terminal handles SATA Air Açores flights to the other eight islands. Multibanco machines are in the public arrivals area, and Portuguese banks, including Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the state bank with a branch on every island, have more in Ponta Delgada. Our Azores money guide covers what the euros are for: village cafes, car parks at the lakes, the hot pools at Furnas and the smaller islands, where machines are few.
Arrivals hall
Azores Airlines, TAP, SATA Air Açores, Ryanair and seasonal North American and European flights
Multibanco machines are in the public arrivals area. Use one, decline any offer to charge you in dollars, and choose euros. Hire-car desks are in the same hall; many firms keep their cars in the car park opposite.
Inter-island departures
SATA Air Açores to Terceira, Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Flores and the other islands
Same terminal. Withdraw here before flying to Flores, Corvo, Graciosa or Santa Maria, where machines are few and can run low in summer. Weather delays are common, so keep some euros for food.
Do you actually need cash at Ponta Delgada (PDL)?
No. The taxi and hire desks take cards. Take out some euros for the island itself:
Taxi to central Ponta Delgada (roughly €10-15): About ten minutes; most taxis take cards, but carry a little cash in case.
Hire car (varies; very high in July and August): Book months ahead for summer; a credit card is needed for the deposit, and the island's expressways are free.
Local bus to the centre (a couple of euros): Infrequent; pay the driver in cash.
Hotel or tour transfer (varies): Many whale-watching and tour companies include pickup from Ponta Delgada hotels.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Ponta Delgada (PDL) to Ponta Delgada?
No. Taxis into Ponta Delgada mostly take cards and the ride is short, and hire desks take cards. Keep 50 to 100 euros for the island: village cafes, car parks at viewpoints and hot pools, and the smaller islands.
Can I order euros before flying?
Handy if your flight from the US lands at dawn. CEI Currency Exchange ships euros to a US address in 2-5 days. Otherwise, a Multibanco machine in arrivals gives euros at the network rate with no machine fee.
How far is Ponta Delgada airport from the town?
About 3 kilometres, or ten minutes by car. A taxi costs roughly 10 to 15 euros, and the local bus is cheaper but infrequent. Many hotels and tour companies arrange pickups.
Do I need to book a hire car in advance in the Azores?
Yes, especially from June to September, when Sao Miguel's hire cars regularly sell out and prices climb steeply. Book months ahead, use a credit card for the deposit, and check what the insurance excludes, since some viewpoints are on unsurfaced roads.
Can I fly from Ponta Delgada to the other Azores islands?
Yes. SATA Air Acores flies from the same terminal to all the other islands, including Terceira, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Flores and Santa Maria. Book early for summer, pay by card, and allow for weather delays.