Getting Around Madeira

Madeira is small but mountainous, with steep, winding roads and tunnels linking its coasts. Here’s how to get around the island: by hire car, by bus, by taxi, or on organised tours.

Quick answer: a hire car gives the most freedom, but the roads are steep and narrow, so choose a car with enough power and drive carefully. Tours and taxis are the easiest way to reach the mountains and trailheads. In Funchal, walk or use city buses. Regional buses link the main towns but are slow.

Hire car

• Pros: flexibility for viewpoints, pools and hikes.
• Roads: the fast road (VR1) and tunnels make the coasts quick to reach. Old mountain roads are steep, narrow and twisty.
• Car choice: a car with a decent engine helps on the hills.
• Parking: limited in central Funchal and at popular trailheads, some of which charge.

See car rental.

Tours and taxis

Day tours cover the west, the east and sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with hotel pick-up, which is ideal for one-way hikes. Taxis can be hired for the day. See the best Madeira tours.

Buses

Funchal has city buses, and several companies run regional routes to towns around the island. They’re cheap, but infrequent and slow, especially to the north.

Getting around Funchal

• Walk the seafront and old town.
• The cable car to Monte. See the Monte toboggan.
• Taxis and ride-hailing for the hills.

Porto Santo

Ferry or a short flight from Funchal. See Porto Santo.

More: the Madeira itinerary and where to stay in Madeira.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.