Rent a car in Pico
Pico is easily recognizable with its elongated shape thanks to its 42 km of length and 15 Km at its maximum width. It is dominated by the Volcano of Pico, the highest point of the island and also the highest point of Portugal. For this reason this island is top of the list for many hikers looking to go up to the top. Pico is referred to as the Ilha Preta ("Black Island"), for its black volcanic earth, responsible for its UNESCO-designated historical vineyards that allowed the development of the island.
Why book with us
We work with the best independent car rental companies in the island of Pico - all local businesses from Pico. Here you will find a wide range of options and competitive prices, so you can easily compare cars, security deposit requirements, insurance coverage, and more—all in one place.
Since 2015, we’ve been dedicated to simplifying car rentals in Pico and in the Azores in general. With years of experience, we’re here to answer any question and help you find the perfect car for your trip.
> Free Cancellation up to 24h before
We understand that plans can change, which is why we offer the convenience of free cancellation up to 24 hours before picking-up your car. So, whether it's a sudden change of plans or unexpected weather conditions (so typical in the Azores), you're covered without any extra costs, ensuring your trip remains stress-free.
> Different Pick-up and Drop-off locations
You can conveniently book your car wherever suits you best, regardless if you are arriving by plane or by boat.
- Pico Airport (PIX): The most common location to pick-up and return the car. Pico Airport is located close to the town of Madalena and is the primary gateway to the island thanks to its direct flights from São Miguel, Terceira, and even Lisbon. Some of our suppliers have desks inside the terminal, while others will greet you at the arrivals.
- Ferry Terminal of Madalena: Located in the heart of Madalena. It connects you to Horta in Faial. You'll find that most car rental counters can be found on the street just in front of the terminal. Some other car rental suppliers will meet you right in front of the ferry terminal gate.
- Ferry Terminal of São Roque: Situated in the village of São Roque, it's the island's second ferry terminal. This terminal connects you to Horta in Faial and Velas in São Jorge. Keep in mind that due to its more remote location, the cost of picking up or dropping off your car here is typically higher. This is displayed at checkout when you are browsing our car rental options.
- Madalena downtown: There's times you don't really need the car for a day or two, so you might want to pick-up the car directly from Madalena downtown.
- We don't charge one way fees: You'll be delighted to hear that we don't impose additional fees for one-way rentals. That means you can pick-up the car at one location within the island of Pico and return it at a different location for no additional cost.
> Options with no Credit Card, no Security Deposit required
Most of our providers in Pico don't require a Credit Card and instead only require a standard debit card for renting. Some may even ask for a minimal or no security deposit upon car pickup. You can find the card and deposit requirements for each vehicle at checkout. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us.
> Cross by ferry to Faial or São Jorge
Most of our rentals in Pico allow you to cross to the islands of Faial and São Jorge by ferry.
Instead of renting multiple cars or relying on inter-island flights, you can enjoy greater flexibility in your travel plans and reduce your carbon footprint by booking one single car and cross by ferry to a different island. Ferry travel times vary between 30 minutes (Pico to Faial) to 2 hours (Faial to São Jorge).
Depending on the supplier this can be either free of charge or for an additional fee. You can check if a cross island fee applies at the checkout page under "Extras".
Useful tips when crossing by ferry with a rented car:
- The car must be returned to the island it was picked up from. In this case if you are picking up your car in Pico, it must be returned back in Pico. This applies even when the supplier has a presence on the island you are visiting.
- We strongly recommend to book the ferry tickets in advance, particularly during the busy Summer season when car spots on the ferry are limited. You can check the schedules and book online with Atlantico Line.
- When booking ferry tickets online, please use "00-AT-00" as the license plate placeholder. Once you have collected your rental car, remember to update it to the actual license plate number at the office of Atlantico Line in Pico.
Have a question?
Yes. On our website you'll find cars that can be taken by ferry to Faial and to São Jorge. For eligible vehicles, you will see a “Cross Island to Faial/São Jorge” option under Extras at checkout. Please note that the car must be returned to Pico at the end of the rental.
Yes. Most of our partners in Pico don't require a Credit Card to pick-up the car. In these cases a Debit Card will suffice. Please remember to check the Payment Methods section under Terms and Conditions at checkout.
A small to mid-sized car is generally sufficient for Pico's roads, which are well-maintained but can be steep at times, narrow and winding.
Yes, on our website you’ll find a selection of small to mid-sized cars with automatic transmission in Pico. Please note that availability is quite limited, so we recommend booking in advance.
All our Pico rental options include third-party liability, as this is a legal requirement. Additionally, some options come with Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) included or available for a fee. CDW limits the driver’s financial responsibility to a set amount in the event of damage to the vehicle. For added peace of mind, you can also purchase Super CDW, which is similar to CDW but further reduces your liability. You can find full details about each option under “Insurance” at checkout.