Pico is over 46 km long and about 18 km wide. It is the second largest island in the Azores and unless you are spending your entire stay in one city, you will probably need to travel by car or buses.
Travelling by car
Many of the natural attractions, or more accurately most of them, can only be reached by car or by day hikes.
Therefore, renting a car is the most common option to get around Pico.
We have compiled a detailed chapter on prices, traffic rules and attractions - Car rental on Pico.
Bus
Public bus services are provided by UTC. Bus stops are only in villages or on the main ring road, so you won't be able to take a bus to any of the areas in the central mountains, for example.
For information on timetables and routes, visit utcpico.pt.
Timetables, routes and stops
There are only 2 bus routes on the island. Both start their journey from Madalena harbour and meet again at the eastern tip of the island.
- Line 1: Madalena - Bandeiras - Airport - Santa Luzia - Santo Antonio - Sao Roque do Pico - Prainha - Santo Amaro - Ribeirinha - Piedade
- The whole route twice a day from Monday to Saturday, or once a day on Sunday
- Inserted services on the Madalena - Sao Roque do Pico section (4 times a day from Monday to Saturday)
- Timetable and map of all stops - pico.elevensystems.pt
- Line 2: Madalena - Ciracao Velha - Candelária - Sao Mateus - Sao Caetano - Sao Joao - Silveira - Lajes do Pico - Ribeiras - Calheta do Nesquim - Piedade - Ribeirinha
- The whole route twice a day from Monday to Saturday, or once a day on Sunday
- Inserted services on the Madalena - Sao Roque do Pico section (3 times a day from Monday to Saturday)
- Timetable and map of all stops - pico.elevensystems.pt
The stops are always marked with a blue sign with the bus symbol. There is no timetable posted at the stops.
Fares and tickets
Tickets can only be purchased from the driver, where you can only pay with cash.
Ticket prices are low and are calculated according to distance. The price ranges between 1 eur and 5,70 eur.
Taxi
Regular taxis operate on the island of Pico and you can catch them on the streets, only in the town of Madalena and at the airport.
In Madalena, the main taxi stand is right in front of the dock. In other places on Pico Island, taxis are not commonly seen on the street.
Taxis from other places can only be booked by phone. Mobile apps for hailing a taxi do not work on Pico Island.
The contact details of all taxi drivers are listed on the official website of the taxi drivers association: taxispico.pt.