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AbbyCar is one of the cheapest ways to rent a car in the Azores – rated around 8/10 at Ponta Delgada, with a free airport shuttle and some of the lowest rates on São Miguel, from roughly €18–30/day ($20–$33). The one catch: pickup is off-airport and the facility sometimes trades under the name “ANC,” which confuses first-timers. There are no tolls anywhere in the Azores, and a car is essential to reach the crater lakes, hot springs and tea plantations. This guide covers AbbyCar in the Azores specifically, the real prices, how it compares, and the island driving you need to know.
AbbyCar offers some of the cheapest rates on São Miguel, with a free shuttle from Ponta Delgada Airport.
São Miguel has a competitive local market and prices are reasonable year-round, with less seasonal swing than the mainland. Expect roughly the following at Ponta Delgada (PDL) in 2026:
Average Daily Rates at Ponta Delgada by Season
Booked 3–5 weeks in advance, prices in EUR
| Season | Manual Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Mar) | €18–26 | €22–32 | €34–50 |
| Shoulder (Apr–Jun, Oct) | €26–38 | €30–45 | €45–65 |
| Peak (Jul–Sep) | €38–55 | €45–65 | €60–90 |
AbbyCar is consistently among the cheapest on the island – the trade-off is the off-airport pickup.
Estimated rental cost by trip length
from €18/day
Illustrative — daily rate × days at the lowest 2026 starting price; real prices vary by season & demand.
Azores Rental Budget Calculator
Estimate only – the daily rate is prefilled with the lowest low-season economy price; change it for your dates. No tolls in the Azores, so budget €0 for those.
AbbyCar is a budget brand with desks at Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL), downtown and the port. Most travellers collect via the airport service.
Pickup is at an off-airport facility reached by a free shuttle. The single most common complaint is that the signage is unclear and the rental desk sometimes operates under the name “ANC” rather than AbbyCar – so travellers wander the airport looking for the wrong name. Know in advance that you are looking for the shuttle to the off-site agency, and call ahead if unsure.
When it works, reviewers love it: clean cars, friendly staff, quick service once you're there, and the cheapest rates on the island. The negatives cluster around the pickup confusion and pressure to add road-assistance or damage cover – decline extras you don't want and read the contract before signing.
The subject of this guide and the value benchmark on the island (~8/10). Clean cars and friendly staff once you're at the desk. Just know the pickup is off-airport (sometimes branded “ANC”) and decline extras you don't need.
A leading Azores local company, winner of the Excellent Service Award for Ponta Delgada Airport in recent years, with near-new, clean cars and pickup at the airport, HQ or your hotel. Slightly pricier than AbbyCar but excellent service; note a €1,000 card deposit.
Long-established Azorean operators with desks across the islands and reliable service – good if you want a recognisable local name with airport desks.
If you prefer an international name with a terminal desk, both operate at PDL. Pricier than the local operators; watch the counter upsell.
On a small island, the cheapest brokers (AbbyCar included on a bad day) can push road-assistance or damage cover and apply strict fuel/cleaning rules. Always read the contract, decline extras you don't want, and film a walk-around video.
Rentals include basic CDW with an excess of €800–€1,500 (Autocunha blocks around €1,000), held on your credit card. Tyres, glass and underbody are usually excluded – relevant on the Azores' narrow, sometimes gravelly roads. The counter Super CDW (€10–20/day) is pricier than a standalone excess policy (€4–7/day) bought before you travel, which also covers the excluded items. Decline the on-island upsell and bring your own cover.
Insurance Cost Comparison: 7-Day Azores Rental
2026 pricing
| Option | Daily Cost | 7-Day Total | Covers Tyres/Glass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CDW (included) | €0 | €0 | No |
| Counter Super CDW | €10–20 | €70–140 | Sometimes |
| Third-party excess cover | €4–7 | €28–49 | Yes |
Good news: the Azores have zero toll roads. Every road on São Miguel and the other islands is free – no transponder, no electronic tolls, nothing to set up. This is one less thing to worry about compared with the mainland.
The island fleet is finite; automatics sell out first in summer.
See the market, then check AbbyCar and Autocunha directly.
Cheaper and more available; the island roads are manageable in a manual.
Buy third-party excess cover beforehand and decline extras.
With AbbyCar, know it's an off-airport shuttle (possibly “ANC”).
Refuel before drop-off.
The iconic twin crater lakes – one blue, one green – with viewpoints like Vista do Rei. The Azores' signature sight.
A pristine crater lake high in the island's centre, often above the clouds. Short hikes from the roadside viewpoints.
Steaming fumaroles, hot springs and the famous cozido cooked underground by volcanic heat. Don't miss the Terra Nostra thermal garden.
Europe's oldest tea plantation, with free tours and tastings, on the scenic north coast.
Dramatic clifftop viewpoints, waterfalls and quiet roads in the island's least-visited corner.
AbbyCar is rated around 8/10 and is among the cheapest on São Miguel, with clean cars and a free shuttle. The main complaint is pickup confusion – the off-airport desk sometimes trades as “ANC” – plus pressure to add extra cover. Know the drill and it's great value.
At an off-airport facility reached by a free shuttle from Ponta Delgada Airport. The desk may be branded “ANC,” so look for the shuttle rather than the AbbyCar name, and call ahead if unsure.
No. The Azores have no toll roads at all – every road is free, with no transponder or electronic tolls to worry about.
Low-season manual economy cars start around €18–26/day ($20–$29). Shoulder season is €26–38/day and peak summer €38–55/day, with automatics more. AbbyCar is consistently among the cheapest.
Yes, effectively. The crater lakes, hot springs and tea plantations are spread across the island and poorly served by public transport. A hire car is the only practical way to see them all.
Manuals are cheaper and more available. The island roads are winding but manageable; choose an automatic if you're not confident on hills, and book it early as they sell out.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. Our company reviews are based on Trustpilot scores, Google Maps reviews, traveler-forum feedback and direct experience. We only recommend companies we would use ourselves.
Last updated: June 2026. Prices and policies change – always verify directly with the rental company.
