Buses in Madeira: how to get around without a car
How Madeira’s bus network works: the Funchal city buses, the companies that serve the east and west, tickets and cards, apps, and which sights you can reach by bus.
Funchal is the hub: almost every island bus route starts or ends there.
Madeira’s buses are cheap and cover most of the island, but they are designed for people who live here, not for visitors on a tight schedule. With some planning you can reach many sights; for remote trailheads you will need a car, a taxi or a tour.
Who runs the buses
- Horários do Funchal: the orange city buses in and around Funchal, including Monte, the hills, Câmara de Lobos and some routes further out.
- SAM: the east of the island, including Caniço, Santa Cruz, the airport, Machico and Caniçal.
- Rodoeste: the west, including Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, São Vicente and Porto Moniz.
- Companhia dos Carros de São Gonçalo: a smaller company serving some routes to the east and north-east.
Each company has its own timetables, tickets and website or app.
Tickets
- On the orange Funchal buses, you can pay the driver, but the rechargeable Giro card is cheaper per trip. Buy and top it up at the company’s kiosks and shops.
- On the island routes, pay the driver; the fare depends on distance.
- Have small change ready if you pay on board.
Finding times
- Use the companies’ own apps and websites for timetables; they are more reliable than general map apps.
- Many routes run less often on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Check the right timetable for the day.
- The last buses back to Funchal from the far west and north leave early in the evening.
What you can reach by bus
- Easy: Funchal and its hills, Monte, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço, Santa Cruz, Machico, Ribeira Brava, the airport.
- Possible with planning: Cabo Girão, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Caniçal and the start of the Ponta de São Lourenço walk, Santana, Porto Moniz, São Vicente.
- Hard or impossible: Pico do Arieiro, Rabaçal, Queimadas, Fanal and most mountain trailheads. Use a taxi, a tour or a car.
From the airport
There is a direct bus between the airport and Funchal, run by SAM. See airport to Funchal for the options.
Tips
- Buses climb very steep roads; hold on, and sit if you can.
- Wave clearly at the stop to make the bus stop.
- For a day trip to the far west or north, combining an early bus out and a taxi back is often the best plan.