How to Get Around Madeira Island: Your Complete Transportation Guide
How to get around Madeira island is a key question for anyone planning a trip to this incredible destination. The islandโs dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and charming towns make it a paradise for travelers who want to explore at their own pace.
Madeira offers a variety of transportation options, from rental cars that give you complete freedom to taxis and shuttles for stress-free travel. Each method has its benefits depending on your itinerary and comfort level.
Whether you want to hike along the famous levadas, drive to scenic viewpoints, or take public buses through local towns, understanding how to get around Madeira island will ensure you make the most of your visit.
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How to Get Around Madeira Island: A Brief Intro & Transportation Options
Before diving into all of the ways to get around the island, let's start with the basics. We're going to first help you get to Madeira, and share a bit about what traveling around Madeira island is like.
How to Get to Madeira Island
There are three different options for visiting the island of Madeira, including:
- Flying into Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Funchal
- Taking a ferry from the mainland of Portugal
- Visiting Madeira on a cruise
Want to learn the details for each option? Don't miss out on our full guide about how to get to Madeira!
Sharing is caring! 8 shares Share Tweet Pin8 If youโre wondering how to get to Madeira island, the good news is that the journey is easier than you might expect. This Portuguese destination has become a favorite for travelers looking for dramatic scenery, mild weather, and plenty of adventure, but
What is the Best Base for Exploring Madeira?
The best base for exploring Madeira depends on your choice of transportation while there. If you are renting a car, we'd recommend spending a day or two in different areas of the island.ย
For exploring the west of the island Porto Moniz or Seixal are excellent, and Santana is ideal for the north east. Funchal is the best area to base yourself for the south of the island, or you can stay in Camara de Lobos if you're looking for something a bit quieter.ย
If you won't have a car while in Madeira, then the best place to base yourself will be Funchal, which is the capital of the island and has plenty of options for getting around Madeira.
ย How Hard is it to Get Around Madeira?
There are so many incredible things to see and do in Madeira, all packed in one small island. This makes it particularly easy to explore, whether you are driving on your own, relying on public transportation, or choosing a base and taking guided tours or using car hire services.
ย Options for Getting Around Madeira Island
Here are the different options for how to get around Madeira:
- Rent a car: best for exploring hidden gems and having flexibility in your schedule.
- Public transportation: more ideal for those that are on a tight budget.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus: for those looking to explore Funchal and nearby attractions.
- Taxis & Ubers: best for shorter distances within towns or to nearby destinations to each town when public transportation is limited.
- Joining guided tours: ideal for those that don't want to plan and have locals share valuable information for each place
- Exploring by excursion: adventurous alternatives to getting around the island
- Cable cars: a fun and stunning way to explore the dramatic landscapes of Madeira.
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How to Get Around Madeira Island: Comparing Different Transportation Options
Ready to go explore Madeira? Here are the different ways to get around the island of Madeira that you can choose from.
ย Getting Around Madeira by Car
Renting a car in Madeira is the ideal choice for those who want full control over their itinerary. With a car, you can easily visit remote villages, scenic viewpoints, and natural wonders without being tied to bus schedules.ย
Driving in Madeira is not difficult and pretty straightforward. Do keep in mind though that some roads can be steep, narrow, and winding in mountainous areas, so be prepared for some hairpin turns. Parking in Funchal can be particularly challenging, but the rest of the island we didn't have any issues.
Driving in Madeira allows you to explore hidden gems and go at your own pace.
ย Public Transportation in Madeira
If youโre on a tighter budget, Madeiraโs public bus system is reliable and covers most towns and popular tourist spots. Buses are ideal for those who want to explore the main towns and attractions without the added cost of a rental car.
ย While public transportation is slower than driving, itโs a great way to experience Madeira like a local and save money, especially if you're not with a group.
ย Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus in Funchal
For visitors focusing on Funchal and nearby attractions, the hop-on-hop-off bus is a convenient option. It allows you to explore key landmarks at your own pace while enjoying informative commentary.ย
This is perfect for travelers who want to maximize sightseeing in a short period of time, particularly popular with guests from cruise ships.
ย Taxis & Ubers
Taxis, Ubers, & Bolts are best for short trips within towns or to destinations that arenโt well-connected by buses. They are definitely more expensive than public transportation but can save time when you need to get from one area to another efficiently.ย
You can either find taxis lined up in the center of Funchal or in the heart of bigger towns, or you can order one on one of the ride share apps.
We'd really only recommend this option if youโre traveling in a small group, have luggage, or don't mind spending extra money.
Joining Guided Tours
Guided tours are ideal for those who prefer not to plan every detail, or who are limited on time. Local guides share valuable insights, take you to hidden spots, and provide historical and cultural context for each location. Tours can range from half-day excursions to multi-day trips covering the entire island.
ย Exploring by Excursion
For adventurous travelers, Madeira offers unique ways to explore beyond conventional transport. Here are some fun excursions that you can take to discover the island in unique ways:
- Off-Road Buggy Tours: a fun and adventurous way to explore Laurissilva Forest with shared vehicles
- ATV/Quad Tours: similar to the off-road buggies but for 1-2 people for a splash more adventure.
- Jeep Tours: tours that take travelers to the top highlights across Madeira, as well as some hidden gems only a 4x4 could reach
- Guided E-Bike Tour: a 4-hour tour through the mountains and along the coast
Cable Cars in Madeira
There are some incredible places to see in Madeira, and due to its dramatic landscapes and heights between them, oftentimes taking a cable car is the best way to get from one place to another. There are several cable car routes around the island that are worth exploring which include:
- Funchal-Monte Cable Car:ย A scenic ride from Funchal's old town to the hilltop suburb of Monte, where the famous gardens are
- Hours:ย 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
- Price: โฌ16.50 round trip
- Jardim Botรขnico Cable Car: Connects Monte Palace to the Madeira Botanical Garden with stunning views of the gardens and surrounding areas.
- Hours: 9:30 AM โ 5:30 PM
- Price: โฌ11 round trip
- Cabo Girรฃo Skywalk: One of Europeโs highest sea cliffs featuring a glass-floored skywalk with vertigo-inducing views.
- Hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
- Price: Free for the skywalk platform; cable car not required
- Achadas da Cruz Cable Car: Descends to a secluded beach area, offering dramatic cliffside views.
- Hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
- Price: โฌ3.50 round trip
- Rocha do Navio Cable Car: Provides access to hiking trails and a small cafรฉ in a lush coastal area.
- Hours: 10:00 AM โ 5:00 PM
- Price: โฌ9 round trip
- Garajau Cable Car: Connects the mainland to the Garajau Marine Reserve, ideal for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
- Hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
- Price: โฌ12 round trip
- Fajรฃ dos Padres Cable Car: Provides access to a secluded farming area with a restaurant, beach, and hiking trails.
- Hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
- Price: โฌ5 round trip
Getting to the Other Islands of Madeira
Madeira isnโt just a single island; the archipelago also includes Porto Santo and the smaller Desertas and Selvagens islands. Traveling between these islands is simple but requires a bit of planning.ย
ย How to Get to Porto Santo
The most common way to reach Porto Santo, the only other inhabited island, is by ferry from Funchal. The ferry ride takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and runs daily, offering a scenic journey across the Atlantic.
Flights from Madeira to Porto Santo are also available and take just 15 minutes, making it the fastest option for those with limited time.
ย How to Get to the Other Smaller Islands of Madeira
For the uninhabited Desertas and Selvagens islands, access is more restricted. These islands are primarily visited through guided boat tours, often focusing on wildlife and nature exploration.
The Desertas are known for their seal colonies, while the Selvagens are a protected nature reserve, offering limited but unforgettable experiences. If youโre looking to explore beyond Madeiraโs main island, planning ahead and booking in advance is essential, especially during the busy summer season.
How to Get Around Madeira Island: FAQ
Now you have all of the information you need for how to get around Madeira island! In case you missed anything, here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions that we've seen across the web.
How to Get Around Madeira Island: Final Tips & What's Next
Now you should know all of the ways to get around Madeira island! Here are some final tips in case you missed anything.
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What's Next?
Now that you know how to get around Madeira island, you'll probably want to all about visiting there!
Here are some other guides about Madeira we have:
ย 
ย Top Viewpoints on the Island of Madeira
ย 
ย Best Things to Do in Madeira
ย 25 Fontes & Risco Waterfall Hike
... and more coming each week!
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So are you ready to explore this beautiful Portuguese island? We hope our guide about how to get around Madeira is helping you plan your trip more effectively. If you have any other questions, feel free to drop them below!
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