Short answer
Madeira is reached almost exclusively by air into Funchal airport (FNC). Direct flights run from 9 UK airports (easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Ryanair), from Lisbon and Porto (TAP and easyJet, multiple daily), and from most major European hubs. There is no scheduled passenger ferry from mainland Portugal, only seasonal cruises. The Porto Santo Line ferry runs between Funchal and Porto Santo island (2h 15m).
Direct flights to Funchal (FNC)
| From | Airlines | Frequency | Flight time | Typical return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London (LGW, STN, LTN) | easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, TUI, Ryanair | 3-5 daily | 4h 0m | £60-£250 |
| Manchester | easyJet, Jet2, TUI | Daily | 4h 10m | £80-£280 |
| Birmingham | Jet2, TUI, Ryanair | 4-7/week | 4h 10m | £90-£260 |
| Edinburgh | Jet2, easyJet | 2-4/week | 4h 30m | £110-£280 |
| Glasgow | Jet2, TUI | 1-3/week | 4h 30m | £110-£280 |
| Bristol | easyJet, TUI | 2-4/week | 4h 15m | £90-£260 |
| Newcastle | Jet2, TUI | 1-2/week | 4h 30m | £120-£280 |
| Belfast / Dublin | Jet2, Aer Lingus, Ryanair | Weekly | 4h 15m | €100-€300 |
| Lisbon (LIS) | TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, Ryanair | 6-10 daily | 1h 45m | €60-€220 |
| Porto (OPO) | TAP, easyJet, Ryanair | 2-4 daily | 2h 0m | €60-€200 |
| Madrid | Iberia Express, TAP via LIS | Daily | 2h 45m direct | €100-€280 |
| Paris (ORY, CDG) | Transavia, easyJet, TAP | 5-10/week | 3h 30m | €90-€280 |
| Frankfurt / Munich | Lufthansa, Condor, TUI fly | 3-5/week | 4h 0m | €120-€320 |
| Amsterdam | TUI fly, Transavia | 3-5/week | 3h 45m | €100-€280 |
Schedules change seasonally, always check the airline's own site. Full route map at /airport/timetable.
Cheapest month to fly to Madeira
Typical London ↔ Funchal return in economy, tracked across easyJet, Jet2, TUI and Ryanair over the last 24 months. Prices climb 2–3× over Christmas/NYE, Carnival week and August.
| Month | Typical London return | One-way (LGW→FNC) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | £65–£110 | £35–£60 | Cheapest · winter sun |
| February (non-Carnival) | £70–£120 | £40–£65 | Cheap · avoid Carnival week |
| March | £85–£150 | £45–£80 | Cheap · trails reopening |
| April | £120–£200 | £65–£110 | Mid · Easter spikes |
| May | £140–£230 | £75–£125 | Mid · Flower Festival |
| June | £160–£260 | £85–£140 | Mid-high |
| July | £200–£320 | £110–£170 | High · summer peak |
| August | £240–£380 | £130–£200 | Highest with NYE |
| September | £150–£240 | £80–£130 | Mid · sweet spot |
| October | £120–£200 | £65–£110 | Cheap · warm sea |
| November | £75–£130 | £40–£70 | Cheap |
| December (non-NYE) | £90–£160 | £50–£85 | Cheap outside 27 Dec–2 Jan |
| 27 Dec – 2 Jan (NYE) | £280–£500 | £150–£280 | Highest of the year |
One-way fares are often 55–65% of a return, pair a one-way out with a Ryanair return via Lisbon if dates are flexible. Book 6–10 weeks out for the low end; last-minute in peak weeks is where fares explode.
Ferries to Madeira
Funchal ↔ Porto Santo
Operator: Porto Santo Line (Lobo Marinho)
Duration: 2h 15m
Frequency: Daily Mar-Oct, 5/week Nov-Feb
Price: €60-€90 return foot pax · €100-€150 with car
Portimão (mainland) ↔ Funchal
Operator: No scheduled service since 2013
Duration: –
Frequency: Occasional repositioning cruises only
Price: –
FAQ: getting to Madeira
Can you get a ferry from mainland Portugal to Madeira?
No. The last scheduled passenger ferry (Naviera Armas, Portimão–Funchal) stopped in 2013. The only ferry currently running to Madeira is the Lobo Marinho between Funchal and Porto Santo island. Madeira is reached by air only from mainland Europe.
How long is the flight from London to Madeira?
Around 4 hours direct from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. Add 30-45 minutes for northern UK airports. All UK direct routes run year-round.
Which airlines fly from the UK to Madeira?
easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways and Ryanair operate direct UK routes. easyJet and Jet2 have the most frequency and competitive prices.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Madeira?
January, early February, late November and early December, outside Christmas/New Year. Return fares from London regularly drop to £60-£80. August and Christmas-NYE are 2-3× more expensive.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to Madeira?
1 hour 45 minutes. TAP Air Portugal operates 5-7 daily flights and is the main carrier; easyJet and Ryanair also operate the route.
Do I need a visa to visit Madeira?
Madeira is part of Portugal and the Schengen Area. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and most EU citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Can I fly direct to Porto Santo?
Yes, Binter Canarias operates 2-3 daily flights between Funchal (FNC) and Porto Santo (PXO). Flight time is 15 minutes. Return fares typically €60-€90 if booked ahead.
Is Funchal airport difficult to land at?
Madeira airport is known for crosswind challenges and a runway built on stilts over the sea. It is fully certified and pilots receive special training. Diversions to Porto Santo or Tenerife happen 1-2% of flights in winter, pad your schedule by half a day if you have a tight connection. We track live arrivals and flight conditions on /airport/live.