Rental car vs Bolt vs taxi — what each one actually costs
This is the first decision and the one that decides your week. Madeira is small (57 km long) but vertical — driving times triple compared with what the map suggests, and the best stops are not near bus stops.
| Rental car (small, off-season) | €25–€45/day from local agencies (Rodavante, Guerin, Madecar). International chains 30–50% more. |
| Rental car (peak: Jul–Sep, NYE) | €55–€110/day. Book 2–3 months ahead or accept what's left. |
| Fuel (95 unleaded) | ~€1.75/L (Nov 2025). A week of driving the whole island is usually €40–€55. |
| Bolt across Funchal | €4–€8. Available from ~06:00 to ~01:00. Surge during cruise-ship arrivals and NYE. |
| Bolt — airport to Funchal centre | €18–€28 depending on demand. Pickup is at the 'TVDE' kerb, not the taxi rank. |
| Bolt — Funchal to Câmara de Lobos | €8–€12. To Caniço/Garajau €10–€15. |
| Bolt — outside Funchal & cruise port | Patchy. Câmara de Lobos and the south coast usually fine; north coast (Santana, São Vicente, Porto Moniz) treat it as 'might not show'. |
| Taxi (yellow with blue stripe) | Fixed tariffs to the main destinations are posted at every rank. Airport → Funchal €25–€35, Funchal → Cabo Girão €25, Funchal → Pico do Arieiro €70 (return with 30 min wait). |
| Private transfer (booked online) | Airport → most hotels €25–€40 for 1–4 people; €50–€70 for a minibus up to 8. Worth it with kids, late flights, or hotels above the city. |
- Picking a car: choose petrol over diesel for a short trip (cheaper rental, no AdBlue surprise on return). Manual is much cheaper than automatic; the island has steep starts but no scary city traffic.
- Insurance: the default 'CDW' still leaves €800–€1,500 excess. Either pay the daily zero-excess top-up (~€10/day) or carry a standalone policy from RentalCover/iCarHireInsurance (~€40/week).
- Returning the car: the airport return is straightforward; allow 20 minutes for paperwork plus the 800 m walk back into the terminal.
Public buses — the SIGA network
Madeira's buses run as one island-wide network called SIGA (Transportes Públicos da RAM). One brand, one fare table, one set of route numbers covering Funchal and every parish on the island. Pay on board; cash works everywhere and contactless is accepted on the Aerobus and on most Funchal urban buses.
| Funchal urban | Every 10–20 min, 06:30 → ~midnight. €2.00 single on board (cash, exact change preferred), or €1.45 a ride with a Giro contactless card. |
| Intercity — east | €2.50 – €7 by distance, paid on board. Covers Caniço, the airport, Machico, Santana and Camacha. |
| Intercity — west | €2.50 – €8.50 by distance, paid on board. Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Calheta, Porto Moniz, São Vicente. |
| Caniço corridor | €2 – €4 by distance. Garajau, Caniço de Baixo, 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. |
| Frequencies — outside Funchal | 1–3 buses a day each way to most north-coast villages. Always check the return time before you go, especially on Sundays and public holidays when most routes drop to one round trip. |
| Schedules | siga.madeira.gov.pt is the official portal for every route and PDF timetable. Google Maps covers Funchal urban routes reliably and intercity routes partially. |
| Giro card (recommended) | Reloadable contactless card, €0.50 issue fee at any Giro kiosk (Praça da Autonomia, Avenida do Mar). Cuts urban fares to €1.45 and works on the Funchal cable car too. |
- If your plan is Funchal + Monte + Câmara de Lobos: a Giro card and the urban network cover everything for ~€15 total. Don't rent a car.
- If you want one north-coast trip without renting: SIGA line 103 to Santana, or line 139 to Porto Moniz, are doable as a day return but eat the whole day. Confirm the last bus back before boarding.
- Buses do not run to Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, the Levada das 25 Fontes car park, Achadas da Cruz, or Fanal. For those you need a car, a tour, or a taxi.
SIGA — every Funchal urban line a visitor actually uses
SIGA runs ~80 urban lines around Greater Funchal. These are the dozen visitors actually take. Single fare on board is €2.00 cash; €1.45 with a Giro card. Frequencies below are typical Monday–Saturday daytime — Sundays and holidays drop to roughly half. Live timetables and route maps are at siga.madeira.gov.pt.
| Line 1 — Lido ↔ São Roque | City crosstown via Avenida do Mar and the cathedral. Every 15–20 min, 06:30 → ~22:30. Best line if you're staying in the Lido hotel strip and heading to the Old Town. |
| Line 2 — Lido ↔ Santa Maria Maior | Hotel zone to Old Town via the seafront. Every 15–20 min. Same use case as Line 1, slightly different routing. |
| Line 003 — Hospital ↔ Pico dos Barcelos | Useful for reaching the Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint without a car. Every 30 min, 07:00 → 20:00. |
| Line 021 — Funchal ↔ Monte (was Line 21) | The classic — straight up the hill to Monte's church and tropical gardens. Every 30 min, 07:00 → 21:00. Cheaper alternative to the cable car (€2.00 vs €12.50 one-way). |
| Line 022 — Funchal ↔ Babosas (was Line 22) | Alternative Monte routing via Babosas terrace — same end point as Line 021 but a more scenic approach. Hourly. |
| Line 029 — Funchal ↔ Curral dos Romeiros (was Line 29) | Up to the Jardim Botânico ridge via Curral dos Romeiros — useful for combining the Botanical Garden with a Levada dos Tornos walk. Hourly. |
| Line 031 / 131 — Funchal ↔ Jardim Botânico (was 31 / 31A) | Direct to the Botanical Garden. Every 60–90 min. The garden's own cable car is more frequent if you're already in Monte. |
| Line 181 — Funchal ↔ Curral das Freiras (was Line 81) | The big one for non-drivers: down into the Nuns' Valley with the famous viewpoint at Eira do Serrado on the way. ~6 services/day. Confirm last return before boarding (often 17:30). |
| Line 651 — Funchal ↔ Camacha ↔ Santo da Serra (was Line 77) | Up to the Santo da Serra plateau (golf course, market on Sundays) via wicker-furniture Camacha. Hourly weekdays; ~half that on Sundays. |
| Line 7 — Funchal ↔ Câmara de Lobos ↔ Ribeira Brava | Coastal hop to the fishing village (~25 min) and on to Ribeira Brava. Every 20–30 min, 06:30 → 22:00. Cheaper than Bolt for the same trip. |
| Line 115 / 142 — Cabo Girão skywalk | Closest scheduled stop to the Cabo Girão skywalk. Every 30–60 min on Line 142; less frequent on Line 115. |
| Line 555 — Funchal ↔ Garajau ↔ Caniço de Baixo (was Line 155) | The Caniço corridor — Garajau viewpoint, Caniço de Baixo hotels and Ponta da Oliveira. Every 30–60 min. |
| Aerobus 500 / 500R — Airport ↔ Funchal hotels | Dedicated airport shuttle. €6.40 cash or card on board, hourly 04:30 → 00:30. Drops at major hotels along Estrada Monumental and the bus station. |
- SIGA renumbered most routes in 2024 — urban lines now use a 3-digit code (Line 21 → 021, 22 → 022) and a few intercity routes were renumbered entirely (77 → 651, 81 → 181, 155 → 555). Old numbers are sometimes still painted on the side of the bus.
- Numbered stops have a printed timetable on the pole; central stops also have an LED arrivals board.
- Pay on board or tap your Giro card — drivers prefer near-exact change.
- Live route map and PDF timetable per line: siga.madeira.gov.pt — Google Maps directions cover Funchal urban lines reliably.
- Lines 021, 022, 181 and 651 are the ones tourists most often miss the last return on. Always photograph the return-side timetable before you walk off.
Driving in Madeira — tunnels, parking in Funchal, ZTL, fuel
The post-2000 VR1/VE expressway and 150+ tunnels mean you cross the island in 45 minutes flat. Driving here is genuinely pleasant — light traffic, well-maintained roads, courteous drivers. The two things that catch visitors out are parking inside Funchal and the very steep old back-roads when you leave the expressway.
| Roads & rules | Right-hand drive. Speed limits: 50 in towns, 90 on rural roads, 100 on the VR1 expressway. Headlights mandatory in all tunnels. 0.5 g/L blood alcohol limit. |
| Tunnels | Free, well-lit, no tolls anywhere on the island. Some old single-lane tunnels remain on coastal back-roads (signed) — give way to oncoming traffic with a quick flash. |
| Parking in central Funchal | Almost all street parking is paid (€0.70/h, 09:00–19:00 Mon–Fri, 09:00–13:00 Sat). EasyPark and Telpark apps cover most zones. Free after 19:00 weekdays, all day Sunday. |
| Best car parks in Funchal | Anadia Shopping (€1.20/h, central, 24h), La Vie shopping (similar rate, cinema validation), Almirante Reis (closest to Old Town, €1.50/h, fills fast), Parque do Campo da Barca (cheapest day rate ~€8). |
| ZTL / restricted zone | Madeira has no formal ZTL like Italian cities. The Old Town (Rua de Santa Maria area) is pedestrianised but never had vehicle access — drop guests at the edge and park in Almirante Reis. |
| Hotel zone (Lido / Estrada Monumental) | Steep, narrow, one-way streets. Most hotels have valet (€10–€20/day). Free street parking exists above Estrada Monumental — walk down. |
| Fuel | €1.75/L petrol, €1.65/L diesel (Nov 2025). Galp, BP, Repsol stations across the island. North coast: fill up before leaving Funchal — only Ribeira Brava, São Vicente and Porto Moniz have stations. |
| Tolls | None on the island. The 24-hour VR1 expressway and all tunnels are free. |
- Steep starts: many Madeira streets are 15–20% gradient. If you can't drive a manual on a hill, pay for an automatic — first-day clutch panic is real.
- GPS sends you up impossibly steep shortcuts. Stick to the VR1 expressway between towns; the old EN101 along the south coast is scenic but adds 30–45 minutes for no real reward.
- Parking penalties are fined and clamped quickly in central Funchal. The blue lines mean paid; white lines mean free; yellow lines mean don't.
Airport → hotel — every option with prices
FNC is 18 km east of Funchal, 25 minutes by car when the road is clear. Five realistic ways to get to your hotel; cost depends on your flight time and where you're staying.
| Aerobus 500 / 500R | €6.40 cash or card on board. Departs from outside arrivals, drops at major hotels along Estrada Monumental and the bus station. Hourly 04:30 → 00:30. Allow 50 min to Lido. |
| Public bus 113 (SIGA) | €3.85 to Funchal centre, ~50–70 min, every 30–60 min. Lots of stops along the coast. Good if you're going to Machico or Caniço (in the other direction). |
| Bolt | €18–€28 to Funchal, €30–€45 to Calheta. App pickup at the 'TVDE' kerb (signed, exit arrivals, walk right). Drivers usually wait 5–10 min. |
| Taxi (yellow, official rank) | Fixed tariffs posted: Funchal centre €25, Caniço €25, Lido/hotel zone €30, Ribeira Brava €55, Calheta €80, Porto Moniz €100. +€1.60 per piece of luggage. Card accepted in most. |
| Pre-booked private transfer | €25–€40 sedan, €50–€70 minibus to most south-coast hotels. Driver waits inside arrivals with a name board. Worth it: late flights, kids, hotels on a steep approach (Monte, Quinta hotels above Funchal). |
| Rental car (collect at airport) | On-airport: Hertz, Avis, Europcar inside the terminal. Cheaper off-airport: Rodavante, Guerin, Madecar — free shuttle from P2 car park, adds 10–15 minutes but saves 20–30%. |
- Late flights (after midnight): aerobus stops; taxis usually wait for the last arrival but not always. If your flight is delayed past 01:30, book a private transfer in advance.
- Going to a north-coast hotel (Santana, Porto Moniz): only realistic options are taxi, private transfer or rental. There is no public bus that crosses the island after ~19:00.
- Cruise day visitors: ignore everything above — the ship's shuttle drops you at the cruise terminal, a 10-min walk into Funchal Old Town.
The Porto Santo ferry — what to expect on the 2h20 crossing
The Lobo Marinho is the only ferry linking Madeira with its golden sister island, Porto Santo. The crossing is open Atlantic all the way — the scenery is spectacular, but the motion can be lively, especially in winter. A little preparation turns it into part of the adventure.
| Operator | Porto Santo Line (portosantoline.pt). Vessel: Lobo Marinho, ~1,300 passengers, 145 cars. |
| Crossing time | 2 hours 20 minutes scheduled. In lively weather (Dec–Mar) the journey can stretch closer to 3 hours, and the company may cancel 10–15 days a year for safety. |
| Schedule (summer, May–Sep) | Daily departure Funchal 08:00, returns Porto Santo 18:00. Tuesday no service. Confirm at booking — they reshuffle for cruise visits and weather. |
| Schedule (winter, Oct–Apr) | 5 days a week, often only morning out / evening back. Wednesday no service typical. |
| Foot passenger fare | €60 return adult, €30 child (5–12), under-5 free. Day-trip ticket includes a bus tour of Porto Santo (~3 hours, English/German guide). |
| Car + driver | €175 return for a small car + 1 driver, plus passenger fares. Only worth it if you're staying more than 3 nights — Porto Santo is small enough to do on a scooter or e-bike. |
| Cabin upgrade | €20 supplement each way for an interior cabin (4-berth). A quiet, air-conditioned space to rest — especially welcome on windier days. |
| Where to sit | Upper-deck forward lounge has the best panoramic views, while upper-deck aft feels steadier. Midship window seats on deck 5 move least. The cafeteria is fine in calm weather, but the outer decks are where the scenery — and the fresh air — are. |
| Sea comfort tips | If you're prone to motion sickness, take cinnarizine (e.g. Stugeron) 30 min before sailing, choose a midship seat, and head outside to watch the horizon. Eat lightly beforehand and stay hydrated. |
| Flights as an alternative | Binter operates 2–3 daily 15-min flights FNC ↔ PXO, €60–€90 one way. Faster and steadier — but the ATR-72s are small and weather-cancel about as often as the ferry. |
- First crossing? Pick May–June or September for calmer seas, reliable timetables, and a quieter beach on arrival.
- Day trips work in summer (10:30 → 16:30 on the island) but feel rushed. Two nights is the sweet spot.
- Pets: allowed in dedicated kennels on board (€10). Not allowed in the cabins or lounges.
FAQ — getting around Madeira
Do I really need a rental car in Madeira?
Yes if you want to see the trails, viewpoints and north coast on your own schedule. No if you're staying inside Funchal and doing 2–3 organised day-tours — SIGA buses plus Bolt cover Funchal comfortably for under €20/day.
How much is a taxi from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
€25–€35 on the fixed tariff posted at the airport rank, depending on which neighbourhood. Add €1.60 per luggage piece. The aerobus 113 is €5 if you don't mind 50 minutes and a hotel-strip drop-off.
Does Uber work in Madeira?
Uber pulled out in 2023. Bolt is the only ride-hailing app that works on the island, and it's reliable in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and along the south coast. Coverage thins fast outside that — book a taxi for the north coast and the mountains.
Are the tunnels in Madeira free?
Yes. Every tunnel and the entire VR1 expressway is free 24/7. Headlights are mandatory inside tunnels. Some old back-road tunnels are single-lane — flash and give way.
Where do I park in central Funchal?
Almirante Reis car park is closest to the Old Town (€1.50/h, fills early). Anadia Shopping is cheaper and central (€1.20/h, 24h). For a full day, Campo da Barca is cheapest at around €8 flat. Street parking is paid 09:00–19:00 weekdays.
How rough is the Porto Santo ferry really?
The open-Atlantic crossing can be lively, especially December to March. In winter it may stretch to 3 hours and gets cancelled 10–15 days a year for safety. A midship seat, a cabin upgrade (€20 each way), and cinnarizine 30 minutes before boarding make a big difference. Seas are calmer from May to September.
Can I get to Pico do Arieiro by bus?
No. There's no public bus to Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, the 25 Fontes car park, Fanal or Achadas da Cruz. Either rent a car, take a tour, or pre-book a taxi (around €70 return with 30 min waiting time).
Is the Giro card worth it for a week in Funchal?
Yes if you'll take more than 4 bus rides. €0.50 to issue, then €1.45 per ride instead of €2.00 on board. Pick it up at the Praça da Autonomia kiosk on day one.
Related
Prices and timetables checked June 2026. Bus operators occasionally reshuffle routes seasonally — always confirm the return time on the operator's website before heading to a remote village.