How to Get Around Madeira Without a Car
An easy guide to the island of Madeira without a car
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will get a commission if you decide to purchase anything through my links. I choose products and services for these links that I believe in. :)I keep seeing people talk about their upcoming trip to Madeira and feeling pressure to rent a car to “really” see the island. I’m here to tell you that I got around just fine without a car in Madeira and in fact, I wouldn’t want to do it any other way.
The bus system is fantastic, taxis are widely available, and private/group tours and transfers are my favorite way to see the island without having to worry about driving on unfamiliar roads.
I’m sharing my experience of visiting Madeira without a car to show you it is totally possible and super fun to do it this way!
Here is everything you need to know about getting around Madeira without a car.
BTW - If you’re trying to figure out the best time of the year to plan your visit to Madeira, check out my full breakdown by clicking HERE.
Getting to Funchal from the Airport
The Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is about 20-30 minutes outside of Funchal city centre. If you’re staying in Funchal, this is no problem as the Aerobus departs directly from the Arrivals area and goes all the way to Formosa Beach (Praia Formosa). The bus stops at several hotels along the way, making it super easy to go straight to your hotel from the airport.
The Aerobus is around €6 per person, one-way. When I used it, a card was accepted but it is really important to bring Euros with you as I found that many places in Madeira prefer cash.
Alternatively, Bolt is easy to use as well. For those who are unfamiliar with Bolt, it is similar to Uber. I had a very early flight back to the UK and my taxi cost around €30 from my hotel in central Funchal.
If you’re looking to book a private airport transfer before you get there, I recommend checking out TripAdvisor to book in advance.
TLDR: Getting From the Airport
Aerobus
Get on right outside of Airport Arrivals
Cost: €6, card accepted
Where to: Most major Funchal city hotels
Private Airport Transfer
Book on TripAdvisor
Taxi
Download the Bolt app
Where to Stay in Madeira Without a Car
Funchal is the best location for a trip to Madeira without a car. Funchal itself is an easily walkable city and is connected to the rest of the island via public transport or guided tours which mainly depart from Funchal.
Here are a few hotels at a central location, perfect for those visiting Madeira without a car:
My Favorite Hotels in Madeira:
Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel: https://booking.tpm.lv/fiaySijE
Pestana CR7 Funchal: https://booking.tpm.lv/cWRulyey
Quinta Da Penha De Franca: https://booking.tpm.lv/qzpXbRvp
Pestana Vila Lido Madeira, Ocean Hotel: https://booking.tpm.lv/01sPiaBu
Seaside Apartment in Funchal: https://booking.tpm.lv/uKaz8a7U
Buses in Madeira
Buses are widely available throughout Madeira. Its easy to get to popular spots such as Monte Gardens or Santana via the bus.
I found that Google works really well in Madeira for planning out bus trips. It will lead you to the bus stop and let you know which bus number to look for.
There are usually city officials at major bus stops in the city as well to help with planning your trip.
Cash is paid to the driver upon boarding and is €1.95 one-way.
You can also get a GIRO card for trips involving lots of bus travel. I’ve never had the opportunity to opt for this option but friends who have said that obtaining and topping up the card is pretty easy.
To find out where to buy a card and more info about fares, check out the official website here: https://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/index.php/en/travel/points-of-sale
Taxis in Madeira
Bolt is your best option in Madeira. If you’ve never used Bolt before, it is super easy - you just have to download the app. It works similarly to Uber where you can order a taxi as you need or schedule it in advance.
The hotel at my front desk also offered to help with booking a local taxi for my early morning airport transfer which was very easy and a little cheaper than Bolt (in my experience!). I would definitely recommend inquiring about it and exploring your options there.
Guided Tours in Madeira
Local guides are always my favorite way to explore a destination and actually, Madeira was my favorite “guided tour” experience of all time.
There are jeep tours that will take you to different sightseeing stops around the island as well as private and group transfers for hiking some of the MANY hiking trails in Madeira.
I used GetYourGuide and explored the options available (there are so many!). Below are a couple that I did and some additional ones that I didn’t get a chance to do but my friends haven’t stopped talking about.
My Favorite Madeira Tours:
Explore the West Side of the Island by Jeep: https://gyg.me/qeWneQWP
Discover the East Part of Madeira by Van: https://gyg.me/qiNPLbF1
Wine Tasting in Funchal: https://gyg.me/xGn53xj5
Hiking Transfer for Pico do Arieiro (Sunrise Hike): https://gyg.me/jFmznc6o
Whale and Dolphin Watching: https://gyg.me/ZcPt3cSM
As with any guided tour, please do thorough research and make sure to read all information and instructions before booking and going on the tour.
Things to Do in Madeira Without a Car
I have written a 4-day itinerary and a 7-day itinerary to Madeira, both written without a rental car in mind. Both provide in-depth information about things to do and places to visit without a car and I recommend checking both of them out.
For now, I will go over a short list of things to do without a car in Madeira to keep in mind as you’re planning your trip:
Cable Cars
Monte Palace Gardens
Funchal Parks and Gardens
Funchal Fruit Market
Funchal Promenade
Funchal Old Town
Day trip to Camara Do Lobos
Day trip to Porto Moniz, Madeira’s sister island
For more Madeira guides, please feel free to check out any of the articles below:
