Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Ponta Delgada Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
Find your bench and enjoy quiet but small airport – a guest reviewer
PDL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport.
What to Expect
Ponta Delgada Airport (code: PDL) is a small, modern terminal with ten gates and about a dozen shops and eateries. WiFi is available to help pass the time, as there is not much else.
Sleeping in Ponta Delgada Airport
This airport is officially closed between midnight (or last commercial flight arrival) and 5:00 AM; however, airport security leaves a landside area open that is carpeted, contains a few benches, and provides bathroom access. The designated area is dark and quiet during the overnight hours, but space is limited. The area is also described as cold during the non-summer months, so consider bringing extra layers and/or a travel blanket if you intend to spend the night. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Ponta Delgada Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open from 5:00 AM (or two hours before the first scheduled departure) to midnight (or after the last scheduled flight arrival). Sleeping in the airport overnight is not possible.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
The Living Spot is a comfortable place to work, relax, get flight or airport information, or charge your mobile devices. You’ll find one located near the airport’s shops and restaurants.
Take precautions, even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are a few small hotels near Ponta Delgada Airport. However, you will find more options in the city, only about a 10-minute drive away. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Ponta Delgada, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
At the time of this update, there were no lounges. If this information is incorrect, click here to update this airport guide.
Drinking Water
A reader tells us that water bottle refill stations are available. (October 2024)
Food & Drinks
At the time of writing, no 24-hour options are available. A large restaurant is located landside on the first floor, with smaller cafes and bars located landside and airside on Level 0. Most eateries open around 6:00 AM and close by 9:30 PM.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Left luggage storage is available. Fee: 4,21€ per volume per day. Location: Ask the Information Desk for assistance. Hours: 6:00AM – 12:00AM.
Mobile Charging
The Living Spot (see above) provides outlets for you to charge your electronics.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available at Ponta Delgada Airport. Connect to the “VINCI Airports wifi” network.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Level 0, across from the rent-a-car desks • near the check-in desks • in the parking area.
Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there is a baby care room for breastfeeding and diaper changing. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Currency Exchange – Santander Totta. Location: Landside. Hours: Unknown.
Disabled Services – The airport partners with MyWay to provide personalized support for passengers with reduced mobility. Services include lifts, escalators, moving walkways, signage, and professional support for those who book at least 48 hours in advance.
Duty-Free & Shopping – A number of duty-free and other shops are located throughout the airport’s airside and landside areas. They sell souvenirs, perfume, travel accessories, jewelry, European soccer accessories and more. Most open between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM and close between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM daily.
Information Desk – Need help finding your way? Visit the airport information desk for assistance. Location: Located on Level 0, beside left luggage.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic. Location: landside, near Check-in. Hours: 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Mon-Thur), 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Fri), 6:00 AM – 1200PM (Sat-Sun).
Postal Services – CTT offers postal services in the airport. Location: Landside. Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM. A mailbox can also be found Landside, Level 0, between the ATM and bank.
SIM Cards – A reader let us know that you could buy SIM cards at the Vodafone booth. Location: landside.
Smoking Area – Located outside the arrivals hall, near parking.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are available on-site. The following have desks on Level 0 near the exit doors: Autatlantis • Europcar • Guerin/Enterprise • Hertz/Thrifty • Ilha Verde • Sixt • Wayzor.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis have a designated pick-up area outside the arrivals door.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.