How to Get Around Madeira

We highly reccomend hiring a car in Madeira as it gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and visit off-the-beaten-path destinations that are not easily accessible by public transport. Madeira is quite a small island, but it does have mountainous terrian and winding roads that can make getting around a bit challenging.

If you’re not comfortable with driving or renting a car, Madeira has a decent public transport network with buses connecting major towns and tourist attractions. However, the fixed routes and schedules may limit your itinerary and make it difficult to get to remote areas. 

1. SAM Buses: Operate mainly in the eastern part of the island, including routes to the airport, Machico, and Santana.

2. Rodoeste Buses: Cover the western part of Madeira, including routes to Câmara de Lobos, Porto Moniz, and Ponta do Sol.

3. Horários do Funchal: The main bus company operating within Funchal and its surroundings.

Another option to get around is with guided tours. You can find tours for most attractions on Madeira, like hiking trails and scenic spots.

Driving Tips:

• You'll be driving up a lot of hills in Madeira, make sure to hire a car that can take hills.

• Beware of the old roads, these can be very narrow and have rockfall. Most of the time they are blocked off, but just be careful when following google maps.