SIGA (Transportes Públicos da Região Autónoma da Madeira) is the island's single public-bus network. It replaced the old patchwork of regional operators in July 2024 with one shared brand, fare structure and route-numbering system covering Funchal and every corner of the island.

Is there one bus app for the whole of Madeira?

Not a fully real-time one. The official portal siga.madeira.gov.pt lists every route and PDF timetable in one place. Google Maps covers Funchal urban routes reliably and intercity routes partially. The third-party 'Madeira Bus' app (iOS / Android) is the most practical trip planner visitors have.

How much is a single bus fare in Madeira?

Inside Funchal: €2.00 cash on board, or €1.45 with a Giro contactless card. Intercity routes: €2.50–€8.50 depending on distance. The Aerobus shuttle from the airport is €6.40 one-way.

What is the Giro card and is it worth getting?

Giro is the reloadable contactless card used on Funchal urban buses. €0.50 issue fee at any kiosk (Praça da Autonomia, Avenida do Mar are the most central). It drops the per-ride urban fare from €2.00 to €1.45 and also works on the Funchal cable car. Worth it from your fourth urban ride onwards.

Can I get from Funchal airport to the city by bus?

Yes — public line 113 (≈€3.85, 50–70 min, lots of stops) or the dedicated Aerobus shuttle (routes 500 / 500R, €6.40, 40–50 min, drops at most hotels). With luggage, first-time visitors usually prefer the Aerobus.

Can I reach the famous walks (Pico do Arieiro, 25 Fontes, Fanal) by bus?

No. Public buses do not serve Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, the Levada das 25 Fontes car park, Achadas da Cruz or Fanal. For those you need a car, an organised tour, or a taxi.

Madeira buses

SIGA — Transportes Públicos da RAM

Madeira's public buses run as one island-wide network called SIGA (Transportes Públicos da RAM). One brand, one fare table, one set of route numbers. Pay on board: €2.00 cash inside Funchal (€1.45 with a Giro card), €2.50–€8.50 intercity by distance, €6.40 on the Aerobus shuttle from the airport. North-coast villages get 1–3 buses a day — always confirm the last return before you board.

All transport options →Airport transfers →Car hire →

Fares & the Giro card

One fare table across the SIGA network. Pay on board with cash; cards are accepted on the Aerobus and on most Funchal urban buses.

Funchal urban

€2.00 single on board, cash, exact change preferred. €1.45 a ride with a Giro card.

Giro card

Reloadable contactless card, €0.50 issue fee at any kiosk (Praça da Autonomia is the most central). Also works on the Funchal cable car. Worth it from your 4th urban ride.

Intercity — east

€2.50 – €7 by distance. Covers Caniço, the airport, Machico, Santana and Camacha.

Intercity — west

€2.50 – €8.50 by distance. Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Calheta, Porto Moniz, São Vicente.

Caniço corridor

€2 – €4 by distance. Garajau, Caniço de Baixo and Ponta da Oliveira into Funchal.

Aerobus (airport)

€6.40 one-way (cash or card on board). Routes 500 / 500R between FNC airport and Funchal hotels. No combined return ticket — buy two singles.

Routes visitors actually use

Short guides to the dozen lines that cover 95% of tourist trips — what they cost, how often they run, and when the last bus back leaves.

SIGA·Line 113

Funchal bus station (Av. do Mar) ↔ Caniçal / Baía d'Abra

Line 113 connects Funchal with Madeira Airport, Machico, and Caniçal, providing convenient access to these locations.

SIGA·Line 500 / 500R (Aerobus)

Madeira Airport (FNC) arrivals ↔ Funchal — Lido hotel strip

The Aerobus (routes 500 / 500R) is the dedicated FNC ↔ Funchal hotel shuttle. €6.40 one-way, roughly hourly, 40–50 min, drops at most central hotels.

SIGA·Line 021

Funchal (Praça da Autonomia) ↔ Monte (Largo da Fonte)

SIGA line 021 (formerly HF 21) climbs from Funchal to Monte church and gardens. €2.00 cash, €1.45 with GIRO, every 30 min. The cheap alternative to the cable car.

SIGA·Line 022

Funchal (Praça da Autonomia) ↔ Babosas (Monte)

SIGA line 022 (formerly HF 22) climbs to the Babosas terrace — top of the Jardim Botânico cable car and the trailhead for Levada dos Tornos.

SIGA·Line 181

Funchal (Praça da Autonomia) ↔ Curral das Freiras

SIGA line 181 (formerly HF 81) is the only public-bus route into the Nuns' Valley. About 6 services a day from Funchal — confirm the last return before you board.

SIGA·Line 651

Funchal (Praça da Autonomia) ↔ Santo da Serra (via Camacha)

SIGA line 651 (formerly HF 77) runs to Camacha — wicker furniture village and gateway to the Levada dos Tornos walks — then on to Santo da Serra.

SIGA·Line 7

Funchal (Av. do Mar) ↔ Ribeira Brava (via Câmara de Lobos)

The bus line connects Funchal to Ribeira Brava, offering multiple routes including rapid and regional options.

SIGA·Line 115 / 142

Funchal (Av. do Mar) ↔ Cabo Girão (Rancho)

This route connects Funchal with the Cabo Girão skywalk, offering scenic views along the way.

SIGA·Line 555

Funchal (Av. do Mar) ↔ Ponta da Oliveira (via Caniço de Baixo)

SIGA line 555 (formerly EACL 155) is the east-coast bus to Garajau's Cristo Rei statue and the Caniço de Baixo cliff resort — shore diving, Reis Magos beach access.

SIGA·Line 103

Funchal bus station ↔ Arco de São Jorge (via Santana)

This route connects the capital city, Funchal, with the northern coastal town of Santana, known for its traditional A-frame houses and stunning landscapes.

SIGA·Line 139

Funchal bus station ↔ Porto Moniz

This route connects Funchal and Porto Moniz, passing through São Vicente, providing scenic views along the way.

SIGA·Line 142

Funchal bus station ↔ Ponta do Pargo (Calheta is a mid-route stop)

This route connects Funchal to Ponta do Pargo, with several options available via Canhas and Calheta.

Practical tips

Yellow = city, white = intercity. Inside Funchal city limits the buses are painted yellow. Rural and intercity coaches are white. Both carry SIGA branding.
Pay on board. No turnstiles, no pre-purchase. Cash works everywhere; contactless is accepted on the Aerobus and on most Funchal urban buses but not universally.
Use the Madeira Bus App. Third-party app (iOS / Android) that aggregates SIGA timetables into one searchable interface — the most reliable trip planner visitors have. Not real-time.
Old route numbers may be wrong. The SIGA reorganisation re-numbered several lines. Anything dated before 2024 — especially routes labelled "SAM" — should be cross-checked against siga.madeira.gov.pt.
Confirm the last return. Outside Funchal, the last bus back is often 17:30–19:00. Missing it = €30–€80 taxi.
Sunday timetables drop sharply. Most rural routes run a single round trip on Sundays and public holidays.
Flag the bus down. Outside Funchal, drivers won't stop at unmarked roadside stops unless you put your arm out.
Buses don't reach the famous walks. Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, the 25 Fontes car park, Achadas da Cruz and Fanal need a car or tour.

Frequently asked questions

What is SIGA?: SIGA (Transportes Públicos da Região Autónoma da Madeira) is the island's single public-bus network. It replaced the old patchwork of regional operators in July 2024 with one shared brand, fare structure and route-numbering system covering Funchal and every corner of the island.
Is there one bus app for the whole of Madeira?: Not a fully real-time one. The official portal siga.madeira.gov.pt lists every route and PDF timetable in one place. Google Maps covers Funchal urban routes reliably and intercity routes partially. The third-party 'Madeira Bus' app (iOS / Android) is the most practical trip planner visitors have.
How much is a single bus fare in Madeira?: Inside Funchal: €2.00 cash on board, or €1.45 with a Giro contactless card. Intercity routes: €2.50–€8.50 depending on distance. The Aerobus shuttle from the airport is €6.40 one-way.
What is the Giro card and is it worth getting?: Giro is the reloadable contactless card used on Funchal urban buses. €0.50 issue fee at any kiosk (Praça da Autonomia, Avenida do Mar are the most central). It drops the per-ride urban fare from €2.00 to €1.45 and also works on the Funchal cable car. Worth it from your fourth urban ride onwards.
Can I get from Funchal airport to the city by bus?: Yes — public line 113 (≈€3.85, 50–70 min, lots of stops) or the dedicated Aerobus shuttle (routes 500 / 500R, €6.40, 40–50 min, drops at most hotels). With luggage, first-time visitors usually prefer the Aerobus.
Can I reach the famous walks (Pico do Arieiro, 25 Fontes, Fanal) by bus?: No. Public buses do not serve Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, the Levada das 25 Fontes car park, Achadas da Cruz or Fanal. For those you need a car, an organised tour, or a taxi.

Fares, frequencies and last-bus times are refreshed nightly from siga.madeira.gov.pt and hand-verified each quarter. Always cross-check the official PDF for the line you plan to take, especially on Sundays and public holidays.