Madeira Without a Car

🚌 HOW PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKS IN MADEIRA

Reality:

• No unified system

• Limited frequency outside Funchal

• You need to plan (this is not mainland Europe)

📱 HOW TO CHECK BUS SCHEDULES

1. Google Maps

• Best starting point

• Shows routes, bus numbers, transfers

• Accuracy: ~80–90%

2. Horários do Funchal App

• Best for local Funchal routes

• More precise timing

3. Official websites

• SAM https://SAMwww.sam.pt/enSASAMM/ → East Routes

• Rodoeste https://www.rodoRodoesteestRodoestee.com.pt/ → West Routes

• Horários do Funchal - Funchal

👉 Always confirm returns

4. Bus stops

• Printed schedules available

• Useful for last bus check

🗺️ DONE FOR YOU ROUTES

🥾ROUTE 1 PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

Route:
Funchal → Baía d’Abra

• Bus: SAM 113

• Departure: Funchal bus terminal

• Duration: ~1h15

Google Maps search:
“Funchal → Baía d’Abra”

Return:
Same stop

⚠️ Last bus ~17:00–18:00

✔ Difficulty: EASY (best without car)

🌿 ROUTE 2 — Caldeirão Verde Waterfall, Madeira

Route:
Funchal → Santana → Queimadas

• Bus: SAM 56 / 103

• Time: ~1h30

Taxi add-on:
Santana → Queimadas
~€10–15

Google Maps search:
“Funchal → Santana”

✔ Difficulty: MEDIUM logistics

💧 ROUTE 3 — 25 FONTES

Route:
Funchal → Rabaçal

• Bus: Rodoeste 80

• Duration: ~2h

Google Maps search:
“Funchal → Rabaçal”

⚠️ Only 1–2 buses/day
⚠️ Plan return FIRST

✔ Difficulty: HARD logistics

⛰️ ROUTE 4 — Pico do Arieiro

Route:
Funchal → Poiso → taxi

• Bus: SAM 56 / 103

• Taxi: €10–20

⚠️ No direct bus
⚠️ Sunrise = better with taxi

✔ Best combo: bus + Bolt

✈️ AIRPORT TRANSFER

Airport: Madeira Airport

Route:
Funchal → Airport

• Bus: SAM 113

• Duration: ~30 min

• Cost: ~€5

Google Maps:
“Funchal → Madeira Airport”

🌍 DONE-FOR-YOU CITY ROUTES

🐟 Funchal → Câmara de Lobos

• Bus: 1 / 2 / 4

• Time: 20 min

• Frequency: high

✔ Perfect half-day trip

🏖️ Funchal → Praia de Machico

• Bus: 113

• Time: ~45 min

✔ Best sandy beach access

🏡 Funchal → Santana

• Bus: 56 / 103

• Time: ~1h30

🌊 Funchal → Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

• Bus: 80

• Time: 2h30–3h

⚠️ Limited schedule

☀️ Funchal → Ponta do Sol Promenade, Madeira

• Bus: Rodoeste

• Time: ~45 min

✔ Sunset spot

🌴 Funchal → Praia da Calheta beach

• Bus: 80 / 142

• Time: ~1h30

✔ Beach + marina