Transportation on Madeira is easy and convenient. The island is small, so you can get around by taxi or car rental (which is the most convenient way). If you don’t have much luggage or if it’s a nice day out, taking public transportation like buses and ferries might be an option for you, especially around Funchal.
The bus system on the island isn’t very good but some routes go around the whole island without too much waiting time at stops. However, these buses aren’t air-conditioned so if it’s hot outside during your trip, consider another method of transportation instead!
In Madeira, Portugal, there are also many taxis available; however, this option costs more than renting a car does so make sure that transportation isn’t an issue before deciding whether or not to rent a car.
Madeira By Public Transportation (mainly Busses)
Bus stops are clearly marked with signs so finding them is easy; however, there may be multiple lines that stop at each stop so look carefully before getting off your vehicle! Buses are generally safe to ride at night. Read our safety guide to Madeira to plan your trip with caution.
If you rely on buses all the time, it can be cheaper to buy a return ticket or if you are staying longer you can buy a weekly pass and save even more.
In the next section, we will list the main bus routes in Madeira so that you can plan ahead.
Madeira bus main routes
- Airport Bus: You can take a bus from the airport to your hotel.
- Bus from the ferry: if you’ve arrived by ferry or if you are going to the port, the bus will be waiting for you just outside.
- From Funchal: The bus system is well-organized and easy to use. You can take a bus from Funchal (the capital) to almost any city on Madeira island, and even to some beaches like Caniço and Ribeira Brava as well as smaller villages such as Machico or Porto Moniz. Check the best beaches in Madeira, they are worth a visit.
- Monte Palace Gardens: There are 2 ways here: The cheap and the enjoyable. The cheaper way is to take the bus line 22 from Funchal to Monte Palace Gardens. The enjoyable way is to take the cable car from Funchal.
Madeira airport transportation
The airport is 30 minutes drive from Funchal. You can take a taxi, public transportation, or a rental car. Taxi service is available at the airport and will be the most expensive way if you are a solo traveler. It can be a more cost-effective solution if you are more than one person. You can use the Bolt app as Uber is no longer operating in Madeira.
Public transportation is also available at the airport and it’s easy to catch a bus into Funchal from there. The bus system runs every 30 minutes during daytime hours (6:30 am-11 pm), with stops at various locations throughout the city center including tourist attractions like Botanical Garden, the Cathedral, Forte de Sao Lourenco, and much more! You can purchase tickets directly from conductors onboard, they accept cash only so make sure not to forget some before heading out!
Car rental on Madeira island
Renting a car on Madeira island is easy. There are many car rental companies and you can rent a car for a day or for several days. You can rent a car at the airport, or at your hotel as soon as you arrive on the island. The rental companies have different rates depending on the time of year (high season vs low season).
Taxis in Funchal
Taxi fares in Funchal are fairly affordable and easy to find. There are taxi stands at the airport and at several tourist areas including the harbor, which is located next to the city center. The drivers usually speak English well enough for you to communicate with them about where you want to go. If not, there is always someone around who can help translate!
Is uber working in Madeira? Bolt in Madeira
Uber is no longer operating in Madeira, But you can rely on “Bolt” application instead. It has the same concept of online ordering a ride on the app and adding your location and destination. It worked really smoothly with us and you can quickly find a ride without long waits. The drivers spoke English well which was also helpful as they gave us some helpful tips and suggestions.
Ferries and Cruise ships
There are ferries operating between Porto Santo and Madeira that run at least once per day all year round. These can be taken by car, but you will need to check in advance if there is space available for your vehicle. The annual maintenance time for the ferry is usually in January, so if you are visiting in January, make sure that it’s working before going.
Cruise ships visit both Madeira and Porto Santo regularly throughout the year, docking mainly at Funchal Harbour.
