Car Rental in Santa Cruz das Flores

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Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal - Azores Islands
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Mini
Toyota Aygo or similar
Toyota Aygo
  • 4
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Autatlantis
$24.30 per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Economy
Renault Clio or similar
Renault Clio
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Ilha Verde
$32.23 per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Mini Elite
Smart ForFour or similar
Smart ForFour
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Autatlantis
$25.45 per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Compact
Renault Megane or similar
Renault Megane
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Ilha Verde
$52.39 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Hyundai Kauai or similar
Hyundai Kauai
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Ilha Verde
$66.11 / per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Minivan
Renault Trafic or similar
Renault Trafic
  • 9
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Ilha Verde
$68.85 / per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Economy
Opel Corsa or similar
Opel Corsa
  • 5
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Autatlantis
$27.77 / per day
Santa Cruz das Flores Airport Car Rental
Mini
Renault Twingo or similar
Renault Twingo
  • 4
  • 1
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
Ilha Verde
$31.05 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 22:15 on 2023-03-17. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Language
Portuguese
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
351
Average car rental price
$41.02 / per day
Average car rental length
4 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 100 km/h
56 - 62 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.4

Why rent a car in Santa Cruz das Flores?

Even among the nine Azores Islands, Flores is a unique outlier. The westernmost of them, Flores is home to small, but lively settlements; interesting museums dedicated to the island's past; and original cuisine. Like all other islands in the Azores, Flores also boasts stunning volcanic beaches, impressive summits, and stunning nature. Easily explored with a rental car, it is a place like no other. 

Santa Cruz das Flores Car Rental

Top ways to enter Santa Cruz das Flores

  • Flores Airport: A tiny international airport that only serves flights to and from other islands in the Azores islands as of October 2019, Flores Airpot handles about 60,000 travelers every year. Many visitors get to Flores by flying to João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel or Lajes Airport on Terceira and then taking another flight to Flores. The airport is just 1km (0.6 miles) from Santa Cruz, the largest settlement on the island, and can be reached in about two minutes.
  • By ferry: It is possible to fly to an international airport on one of the other Azores islands and then take a ferry to Flores. However, as of October 2019, only Faial and Corvo have direct ferry links with Flores - coming from other islands, you need to take two ferry rides. Some airports near Flores include Corvo Airport on Corvo, Horta Airport on Faial, and Pico-Madalena Airport on Pico. It’s also important to check the ferry schedule in advance as the services are much more frequent during the spring and summer months. 

City facts

  • Flores has a humid subtropical climate with oceanic influences. The average high temperature is 26°C  (79°F) in August, the warmest month, and 17 °C  (63°F) in February, the coldest. Even at night during winter, the temperature rarely drops below 5°C (41°F). Flores has moderately dry summers and rainy winters with an especially large amount of precipitation from October to mid-March.
  • Flores is the westernmost of the nine Azores Islands and lies entirely on the North American tectonic plate. Despite this, the island is politically considered a part of Europe, and the Monchique Islet, technically a part of Flores, is often called the westernmost point of Europe. Flores is about 530km (330 miles) west of Sao Miguel, the largest and easternmost of the Azores islands, about 1’900km (1,180 miles) west of Lisbon, and about 3’600km (2,235 miles) east of New York City.

Top destinations and activities

  • Santa Cruz das Flores. The center of and the largest settlement on the island, Santa Cruz is a cozy little place with surprisingly many things to see. The town is home to the beautiful Igreja Matriz da Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, the Museum Whale Factory of Boqueirão, the Flores Museum, and the Convent of São Boaventura. Located on the eastern coast of the island, Santa Cruz also has the largest number of places to stay, and the rest of Flores can be easily explored from here.
  • Lajes das Flores. A small, picturesque town at the very southern end of the island, Lajes is home to a whaling museum, a beautiful church, a lighthouse, and a yacht dock (many boats crossing the Atlantic stop in the Azores). Lajes also has a number of great beach bars and restaurants. Located just 18km (11 miles) south of Santa Cruz, Lajes can be reached in about 25 minutes.
  • Fajã Grande. A small and somewhat remote village, Fajã Grande is considered to be the westernmost settlement in Europe. The village is famous for the impressive waterfalls, rock pools, and the forests that surround it. Located 20km (12 miles) from Santa Cruz, Fajã Grande can be reached in about 25-30 minutes crossing the entire island from east to west on the way.

Traffic and parking

  • Like the rest of Portugal, the  Azores drive on the right-hand side of the road. 
  • Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 90km/h (55 mph) on most motorways, 50km/h (31 mph) inside urban and built-up areas, and 20km/h (12 mph) inside the most so-called ‘coexistence zones’ or areas where cars share the road with passengers. Fines for speeding are hefty. 
  • You can only enter a roundabout after giving way to cars already in it.
  • The car’s documentation and proof of insurance always have to be inside the vehicle.
  • The Azores experience a lot of rain and fog which can significantly reduce visibility, so drive extra carefully during bad weather. The rain can also impact the quality of some rural roads and roads in protected areas. 
  • The Azores have a lot of cattle (the islands are from where most of the Portugal’s milk comes from). Watch out for animals crossing the roads, especially in rural areas. 
  • Drivers can only use a mobile phone if it is a hands free or an earpiece.
  • There are many viewpoints in the Azores, a great way to take in the stunning scenery. These are called ‘miradouro’ in Portuguese - if you see a sign for one and have time on your hands, make sure to follow it!
  • The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.2 for novice drivers. Not respecting the limit can lead to large fines, a licence ban, and even imprisonment. 
  • The vast majority of rental cars in the Azores only have automatic transmission. 
  • Safety cameras are in use.
  • When parking on the street, your car must be parked facing the direction of travel.
  • The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads on Flores, but some motorways are subject to fees on the mainland of Portugal. See the official toll road site for maps and fees.

Ideas for day trips

  • Morro Alto and Pico do Se Natural Forest Reserve. A protected area in the middle of the island, it is home to Morro Alto, the highest point on the island. On a clear day, Mount Pico, the highest point of Portugal that is on the island of Pico, can be seen from there. The forest reserve is made up of many hiking paths that let visitors explore the summits and unique landscape of the area. Located some 17km (11 miles) west of Santa Cruz, the reserve can be reached in about 35 minutes.
  • Gruta dos Enxaréus. There are many caves and grottoes on the eastern coast of Flores, but none of them is as impressive as the Gruta dos Enxaréus. As the largest of them, it was for centuries a hiding place for pirates, and some of their treasures are rumored to still be hidden somewhere near the cave. Even if visiting the Gruta dos Enxaréus doesn’t make you any richer, it’s strange beauty makes it a must-visit place in Flores. Located just 8km (5 miles) south of Santa Cruz, the cave can be reached in 10-15 minutes.
  • Ponta Delgada. Although it shouldn’t be mistaken for the much larger Azorean city on the island of Sao Miguel, this village on the northern edge of Flores is a great place to visit. Come here to try the local seafood, enjoy stunning views of the ocean, and hike along the narrow coastal cliffs (although be warned, you might cross paths with one of the local cows). Located 19km (11.8 miles) from Santa Cruz, Ponta Delgada can be reached in about 30 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Flores is the Nissan Micra, followed by the Toyota Yaris and the Renault Clio. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and compact.

Further destinations

  • Faial. The island of Faial remains something of an unknown to many foreign travelers, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting. A tranquil place with plenty of space for every visitor, its attractions include the Capelinhos Volcano, Faial Caldera, and some of the best whale-watching tours in Europe.
  • Pico. All of the Azores islands are scenic places, but Pico might just be the pinnacle of the bunch. With its UNESCO-listed vineyards, old windmills, and sunset views of Mount Pico which dominates the panorama of the island, Pico is a photographer’s dream. The fact that the island’s restaurants serve some of the tastiest seafood in Europe also helps.
  • Corvo. The island closest to Flores and by far the smallest of the nine Azores Islands, Corvo is a unique place. Much of the island is made up of an impressive volcanic crater with a lake in the middle of it, and travelers also enjoy visiting the Lighthouse of Ponta Negra. The island has a population of about 470, so a visiting family of five would make up about 1% of all of Corvo’s inhabitants.
  • Sao Miguel. Although not close to Flores by any stretch of the imagination — it is more than 500 km (310 miles) to the southeast — Sao Miguel, the main island of the Azores, can be, and often is, visited on the same trip. Taking a ferry would not be especially convenient, but there is regular air service between the two islands. The most populated and most developed in the archipelago, Sao Miguel is known for, among other things, its beautiful “fire lakes” and great hiking.

Note: It is possible to take a ferry from Flores to Corvo, Faial, Pico, and other islands in the Azores, but it’s important to check the ferry schedule and book tickets in advance as some routes are not active during the winter months, so you might need to either fly or take connecting ferry rides.

While it is possible to take a rental car on some ferries, many rental car providers don’t permit it, so it’s important to ask them in advance. A better plan can be to drop off your car in Flores, go as a foot passenger, and then pick up a new rental car at the port of your destination.

Car Rental Prices in Santa Cruz das Flores

  • Station wagons - from $104 per day
  • Medium cars - from $113 per day
  • Vans - from $120 per day
  • Premium cars - from $145 per day
  • Small cars - from $52 per day

Money-saving tips

Finding a cheap rental car in Santa Cruz das Flores is easy if you follow these steps:

  • Compare the rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Flores is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 71% cheaper than renting a car in August. Start your year with a holiday in the Azores!
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators. Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Top 8 Cities near Santa Cruz das Flores

  1. Ponta Delgada Car Rentals from $13.08 per day
    511.0 km / 317.5 miles away
  2. 361.6 km / 224.7 miles away
  3. Pico Car Rentals from $24.30 per day
    247.5 km / 153.8 miles away
  4. Horta Car Rentals from $20.67 per day
    239.7 km / 148.9 miles away
  5. Sao Jorge Car Rentals from $36.73 per day
    266.9 km / 165.8 miles away
  6. 349.3 km / 217.1 miles away
  7. 592.3 km / 368.0 miles away
  8. Furnas Car Rentals from $46.67 per day
    538.8 km / 334.8 miles away

Top 10 Locations near Santa Cruz das Flores

  1. Horta Airport Car Rentals from $18.51 per day
    233.2 km / 144.9 miles away
  2. Horta Port Car Rentals from $21.98 per day
    239.5 km / 148.8 miles away
  3. Pico Airport Car Rentals from $24.30 per day
    253.1 km / 157.3 miles away
  4. 269.9 km / 167.7 miles away
  5. 357.0 km / 221.8 miles away
  6. 511.0 km / 317.5 miles away
  7. 511.8 km / 318.0 miles away
  8. 512.1 km / 318.2 miles away
  9. 589.3 km / 366.2 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Cruz das Flores?

Car rental prices in Santa Cruz das Flores vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Santa Cruz das Flores
$39.91
January
$25.74
February
$31.14
March
$45.76
April
$50.66
May
$84.35
June
$121.83
July
$95.28
August
$87.85
September
$46.01
October
$41.57
November
$39.90
December
The best month to rent a car in Santa Cruz das Flores is February (when prices for an Economy class start from $25.74). This is 56% cheaper than the yearly average and 79% cheaper than renting in July (when rental prices start at $121.83 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.

What’s the usual rental length in Santa Cruz das Flores?

Travel lengths vary from month to month: in February, travelers rent a car for an average of 5 days in December, the average rental period is 3 days.
Average Rental Length in Santa Cruz das Flores
4
January
5
February
5
March
4
April
4
May
4
June
4
July
4
August
4
September
5
October
4
November
3
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Santa Cruz das Flores?

The most popular month for renting a car in Santa Cruz das Flores is August, and the least popular is January.
Popularity of Car Rental in Santa Cruz das Flores by Monthly Searches
9%
January
37%
February
52%
March
123%
April
145%
May
143%
June
186%
July
215%
August
140%
September
110%
October
28%
November
14%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 1
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Ilha Verde, Autatlantis, Europcar, Avis
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, Station wagons, SUVs
Lowest price $24 per day
Cheapest supplier Autatlantis

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Ilha Verde Renault Twingo 3 1 Small cars
Ilha Verde Renault Clio 5 2 Small cars
Autatlantis Toyota Aygo 5 1 Small cars
Autatlantis Smart ForFour 4 1 Small cars
Europcar Renault Clio 4 1 Small cars
Autatlantis Opel Corsa 4 1 Small cars
Ilha Verde Hyundai i10 5 1 Small cars
Ilha Verde Ford Focus 5 2 Medium cars
Ilha Verde Ford Focus STW 5 3 Station wagons
Autatlantis Opel Corsa 5 2 Small cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

Luxembourg
Smart For Four
August 3, 2019
quite expensive but otherwise good
Portugal
Nissan Micra
July 28, 2018
Renting a car is absolutely indespensable in spite of the high prices compared with other destinations

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Autatlantis
9.38 / 10
Lowest rated company
Europcar
8.36 / 10
Total number of reviews
11
Total rental companies
6
Average daily price
$41.02
Lowest daily price
$24.30
Total cars available
59

Top 6 Suppliers in Santa Cruz das Flores in 2023

Autatlantis
Autatlantis
Exceptional 9.4 / 143 reviews
1 location
$24 - $95
Ilha Verde
Ilha Verde
Excellent 8.6 / 222 reviews
1 location
$31 - $145
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews
1 location
$53 - $53
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.5
1 location
SIXT
SIXT
Excellent 8.4
1 location
Europcar
Europcar
Excellent 8.4 / 4 reviews
1 location
$45 - $58
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