Is São Miguel (Azores) Expensive to Visit? — Travel Budget for 2026
- Aina & Dani
- Nov 30
- 7 min read
Is São Miguel expensive to visit? Your budget is a key factor when planning any trip, and the answer depends on many things. São Miguel is still a more affordable destination than many places in Europe, and the best part is that it offers options for every type of traveler and every budget.
In this article, we’ll tell you how much it costs to travel to São Miguel in 2026. We’ll cover the main expenses such as flights, accommodation, food, transportation, and activities, so you can get a real idea of what you’ll need. At the end of the article, you’ll find an estimated 7-day budget for São Miguel.
Here you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip and adjust your budget to the experience you want to have on the island. Let’s get started!
Is São Miguel Expensive? – Contents:
What to Keep in Mind – São Miguel Travel Budget
The season is the first factor that affects your budget. Traveling between June and August usually increases flight and accommodation prices, while in winter prices drop and there are fewer tourists. Every season in São Miguel has its own charm, so if your priority is to save money and you can choose when to travel, the most budget-friendly option is to visit São Miguel in winter.
Accommodation also makes a big difference. São Miguel offers options for every taste and budget. Choosing wisely according to your budget can save you quite a bit of money over a week. To help you decide, don’t miss our guides on where to stay in São Miguel and cheap accommodation options.
Getting around the island usually means renting a car. It gives you the freedom to reach every corner and plan your route at your own pace, so you’ll need to add this expense to your budget.
Flights to São Miguel are often the biggest initial expense. Prices depend on your departure city, season, and how far in advance you book. Also, if your plan includes visiting other islands, you’ll need to add the cost of inter-island flights.
Food in São Miguel is delicious and quite affordable compared to other European destinations, even in tourist areas. The cost depends on you — it’s not the same to eat at restaurants every day as it is to prepare some meals in an apartment.
Lastly, most activities, such as hiking trails and viewpoints, are free, but some must-do experiences like visiting Terra Nostra Park, Caldeira Velha, or going whale watching will add extra costs to your budget.
Accommodation Prices in São Miguel
The price of accommodation in São Miguel depends on the area and the level of comfort you’re looking for. In Ponta Delgada, the capital, mid-range hotels or apartments usually cost between 60€ and 100€ per night. In quieter places like Lagoa or Nordeste, you can find options starting at 45€ per night. In more touristy or exclusive areas like Sete Cidades or Furnas (Furnas Lagoon), prices can go over 120€ per night.
One way to save money is by staying in an apartment or rural house. These tend to be more budget-friendly and also let you cook, which helps you save if you’re staying for several days or traveling with family or friends.
In any case, it’s best to book early, especially during the high season, to make sure you get the best prices and availability.
Car Rental Prices in São Miguel
Renting a car in São Miguel is almost essential if you want to explore the island at your own pace. The most convenient option is to pick it up directly at Ponta Delgada Airport, as we explain in our article about how to rent a car in São Miguel.
The price for a mid-range car varies depending on the season. During quieter months like January, you can find rates starting at 9-10€ per day, while in August prices go up to 55-60€ per day, depending on the car and how early you book.
In addition to the rental cost, don’t forget fuel expenses. In October 2024, gasoline was priced at 1.536€ per liter and diesel at 1.420€ per liter. This means filling a 50-liter tank would cost between 71€ and 77€, approximately, depending on the fuel type.
Flight Prices to São Miguel
Traveling to São Miguel is quite accessible from Europe and America, with both direct flights and connecting options. In summer, direct flights tend to be more expensive, but making a stopover in mainland Portugal is a good way to save, as most international connections are based there.
For example, a round-trip flight from Madrid usually costs between 150€ and 250€, while from Lisbon you can find options between 45€ and 75€. From the United States, a flight from New York with a stopover in Lisbon is around 457€, although this depends on the season, booking time, and availability.
If your plan includes island-hopping, inter-island flights cost between 50€ and 100€ per leg, depending on the island and the season.
Activity Prices in São Miguel
São Miguel offers plenty of free activities, especially nature-related ones such as hiking trails, viewpoints, waterfalls, and lagoon walks. This allows you to enjoy the island without spending much. However, some experiences do come with a cost, like thermal baths, boat excursions, or whale watching.
Below is a table with approximate prices for the main paid activities on the island, so you can plan your budget and decide which ones to include in your trip:
Activity | Approximate Price per Adult |
|---|---|
10€ | |
17€ | |
65-75€ | |
12-16€ | |
89-150€ |
Restaurant Prices in São Miguel
Eating in São Miguel is delicious and quite affordable compared to many European cities. On the island, you can enjoy fresh fish, seafood, meat, cheeses, and local products without breaking your budget.
Some of the best-known restaurants, such as the São Miguel Agricultural Association, cost around 30€ per person for a full meal, but most local places offer more affordable dishes, so you’ll likely spend between 15€ and 25€ per person per day. With this budget, you can taste typical Azorean dishes without food becoming a major expense in your overall trip budget.
7-Day Budget for São Miguel in 2026
Here’s an example of a 7-day budget for São Miguel, per person and per day. This estimated budget includes accommodation, rental car, food, and flights from mainland Portugal. Activities and flights from your home country (if not from mainland Portugal) should be added separately, as they depend on each traveler.
(*) About the table prices:
This estimated budget is designed for a trip for two people, though the final budget is shown per person.
Accommodation: price per person in a double room.
Transportation: rental car + gas per person, assuming it’s shared between 2 people.
Flights: approximate price from Portugal, per person.
Activities: not included. Add separately depending on what you want to do.
Type of Trip | Accommodation (€ / day) | Car + Gas (€ / day) | Food (€ / day) | Flight (€ / person) | Total 7 Days per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Budget | 20‑30€ | 15‑20€ | 15‑25€ | 75-150€ (from Portugal) | 425‑675€ + activities |
Mid-Range | 45‑60€ | 20‑25€ | 20‑40€ | 75-150€ (from Portugal) | 670‑1.025€ + activities |
Luxury | 75‑100€ | 25‑35€ | 40-60€ | 75-150€ (from Portugal) | 1.055‑1.515€ + activities |
Also, remember that this São Miguel travel budget per person should include the cost of the flight from your departure city (if not from mainland Portugal) and the activities you want to do. If you plan to visit other islands, you should also add the cost of inter-island flights.
How to Save Money on Your São Miguel Trip
The best way to save money on your trip to São Miguel is to book everything in advance. The earlier you plan flights, accommodation, and car rental, the easier it will be to find better prices and ensure availability, especially in high season. Plus, if you start planning now, you’ll have more time to design your travel itinerary using our São Miguel travel guide.
To help you organize your trip, here are several useful resources to plan and save on your trip to São Miguel:
Resources to Plan your Trip to São Miguel
PLAN YOUR TRIP: We love São Miguel, which is why we’ve created our website where you can find the most complete travel guide to São Miguel. Explore everything you can visit and do in São Miguel by region, the best way to plan your itinerary, and make the most of your time.
ACCOMMODATION IN SÃO MIGUEL: We recommend staying in Ponta Delgada or Ribeira Grande if you want to have access to services like supermarkets and restaurants nearby. To choose the best accommodation, don’t miss our article on where to stay in São Miguel or save money with this selection of budget accommodations in São Miguel.
TRANSPORTATION: Renting a car is the best way to explore the island of São Miguel since you’ll have the freedom to reach all the island’s points of interest. In our article on car rental in São Miguel, we cover everything you need to know about driving on the island and how to book the best vehicle. To book, we always use Discovery Cars, our favorite comparison tool with the best deals.
-5% ON YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE: Protect yourself with reliable travel insurance and enjoy our 5% discount for planning your trip on our website.
THE BEST ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES IN SÃO MIGUEL!
