From the airport to the city centre Madeira
From the airport, located 19 km from the center of Funchal, it takes 25 minutes by car or cab (about 30 €) and 50 minutes by Aerobus (5 €).
Arrival by boat Madeira
To get to Porto Santo, most travellers take the boat. The Porto Santo Line (www.portosantoline.pt) provides connections to the small island from the port of Funchal. Departures are usually at 8am and returns at 6pm (Monday at noon and Sunday at 6pm). The journey takes about 2.5 hours. There is everything you need on board (even a cinema!). Attention, in low season, no departures on Tuesday. Count 47,50 € between October and March, 58 € the rest of the year, and from 158 € with a car. Free for bikes. In high season, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance.
Public transport Madeira
Bus routes sheet available at the tourist office. Most of them pass through Funchal (avenida do Mar). Tickets can be bought at ticket machines, kiosks or directly on the bus (but it is sometimes a bit more expensive). Companies: Horários do Funchal (horariosdofunchal.pt) provides urban and interurban connections to the centre and north: Santana, Santo da Serra, Curral das Freiras, Arco de São Jorge, Camacha, São Jorge, Porto da Cruz, Santa Cruz or Caniço. Yellow bus; SAM (www.sam.pt) serves the east: Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz (and airport), Machico, Santo da Serra, Porto da Cruz, Faial or Portela and the St. Lawrence Point. White and green bus; Rodoeste (www.rodoeste.com.pt) operates to the west, including Camara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Porto Moniz and São Vincente. White and red bus; AECL (www.eacl.pt) will take you to Caniço. Grey and red bus
With a driver Madeira
Taxis can be recognized at a glance: they are yellow with a blue stripe. Some routes have a fixed fare, for example between the airport and Funchal (about 30 €, displayed in the terminal on a high board). Otherwise, the meter is the proof. It is common to hire a taxi for a half-day or full day trip. The price will be based on the mileage travelled. The driver will probably take you on a classic circuit with the same photo breaks as the large air-conditioned coaches of travel agencies. It is essential to have a common language with the driver. In addition, each vehicle has a document (tabela) provided by the administration. It contains the prices of the standard routes and the different tariffs which can be consulted on request. Night rates (from 10 pm to 7 am) and weekend rates are increased.
By car Madeira
The archipelago's road network is modern and well maintained. It extends to the four corners of the island, adapting to the steepest terrain. To save time, there is an expressway that runs along the coast. More than a hundred tunnels have been built in the area (to admire the landscape, we'll come back!). Renting a car remains the most convenient way to travel around the island in complete freedom. Many agencies are present at the airport (online booking is often more attractive in terms of prices). You should compare prices, read your contract carefully and travel, if your budget allows it, with an all-risk insurance (avoid unpleasant surprises!). You should also know that a car is really not essential in Funchal, where it is often complicated to park. However, it becomes a necessity as soon as you want to leave the capital. Once you have managed to leave the urbanization, the roads of Funchal are often the scene of all kinds of events and meetings inopinées : driving slowly and stopping often, in a safe place, allows you to fully enjoy the scenery. The locals tend to push generously on the mushroom!
