Which means of transport to use à FUNCHAL?

Organize your stay à FUNCHAL

From the airport to the city centre From the airport to the city centre à FUNCHAL

Madeira Airport is located east of Funchal (20 km away). In 2016 it was renamed after Cristiano Ronaldo (the local child!). The landings are spectacular on its elevated runway on stilts! To reach the city centre of Funchal, about fifteen departures per day are assured by the aerobus (count 5 € the outward journey and 8 € the return journey). Ask the driver to show you the nearest stop to your accommodation and give him the name of your hotel. Count between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on the distance. You can also take buses 20, 53, 208 and 113 (count 3.35 €) every day, except December 25th. Count between 30 minutes and one hour. Finally, a taxi will cost you between 25 and 35 €. Porto Santo also has its own airport, located in the centre of the island (2 km from Vila Baleira).

Arrival by boat Arrival by boat à FUNCHAL

The port of Funchal is about 500 metres from Avenida do Mar. It is here that you will take the boat to Porto Santo Island, a journey that is insured by the Porto Santo Line shipping company.

Public transport Public transport à FUNCHAL

The bus company Horários do Funchal serves the centre of the capital and its surroundings (including the north), Rodoeste (rodoeste.com.pt) the west and north of the island, SAM the east (www.sam.pt) and AECL (www.eacl.pt), Caniço and its surroundings. The easiest way is to get the Giro card (1 day €4.50, 3 days €11.50, 5 days €16.50). It is rechargeable and costs €0.50 to buy. It can be bought directly from the driver or at one of the kiosks in the town. It is valid in the ecological minibuses Linha Cidade (from the company Horários do Funchal) that operate in the historic centre (no fixed stops, just wave to get on wherever you want!). Most of the buses start from avenida do Mar. Attention: Intercity buses sometimes have the same numbers as city buses. You have to find your way around using the colours (yellow and white for Horários do Funchal, red for Rodoeste, white and green for SAM, grey with red stripes for AECL)

With a driver With a driver à FUNCHAL

You will have no trouble hailing a taxi in Funchal city centre (yellow and blue). They usually gather in strategic points of the city such as Avenida do Mar or near the cathedral. Fares are more affordable than in France (approx. 60% less). Coverage starts at €2.50. After that it is around 0.75 €/km.

By car By car à FUNCHAL

Funchal's city centre is easy to visit on foot, but the car is almost indispensable for touring the rest of the island. You can rent your car directly from the airport although some agencies also have an office in the centre. The speed limit in the city is usually 50km/h. We advise you to take an option reducing the deductible to zero in order to drive with peace of mind (beware, it does not always cover the underside of the car and the windshield)

Parking in Funchal can be a real ordeal. Save your time by going directly to the car park (it costs around €6 per day and €1.30 per hour for the cheapest ones). For example, park at the Almirante Reis car park or the São Tiago car park (at the end of the Santa Maria). Always check the operating hours

Accessibility Accessibility à FUNCHAL

In addition to being electric and green, Linha Cidade minibuses are wheelchair friendly.