How much does a trip to Madeira cost?
What things really cost in Madeira in 2026: food, coffee, transport, car hire, activities and fees, plus easy ways to spend less without missing anything.
Madeira is good value by European standards. Flights and accommodation are the big costs; once you are here, food, coffee and transport are cheaper than in most of western Europe. Prices below are typical for 2026 and will vary between a village café and a seafront restaurant in Funchal.
Food and drink
- Espresso (bica) at a café counter: around €1
- Galão (milky coffee) and a pastry: €3 to €4
- Bolo do caco sandwich or prego in a snack bar: €4 to €8
- Lunch menu of the day in a local restaurant: €10 to €15
- Dinner main course: €14 to €25; espetada and fresh fish at the higher end
- Poncha in a bar: €3 to €5
- Glass of local wine: €3 to €6
- Supermarket basics are similar to mainland Portugal.
Getting around
- Bus: a few euros a trip, less with a rechargeable card. See buses in Madeira.
- Airport to Funchal: the airport bus is the cheapest option; a taxi costs around €30 to €40.
- Car hire: from about €20 a day in low season to €60 or more in August and at Christmas, plus insurance and fuel. See car hire.
- Fuel: slightly cheaper than on the mainland, as the region sets its own prices.
Activities and fees
- Hiking trails: €4.50 per person per trail for non-residents since 2026, €10.50 for the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trail, children under 12 free. Read about trail fees.
- Cabo Girão skywalk: €5 for non-residents, children up to 12 free.
- Monte toboggan: €30 for one person, €40 for two, €60 for three.
- Funchal cable car to Monte: around €15 one way and €20 return for adults.
- Whale and dolphin watching: about €40 to €70 per adult for a 2 to 3 hour trip.
- Gardens and museums: usually €5 to €15.
- Tourist tax: €2 per person per night for up to seven nights in most municipalities. See tourist tax.
Accommodation
Prices depend most on dates. The same apartment can cost twice as much at New Year or in August as in late January. Holiday apartments give the best value for families and groups, because you can cook and have space. See where to stay.
How to spend less
- Travel in low season: mid-January to March (outside Carnival), and November.
- Eat where locals eat. A prato do dia at lunchtime is the best-value meal on the island.
- Walk. Most levada walks cost only the trail fee and the drive to the start.
- Swim in the public lidos and natural pools, which are free or cheap.
- Buy fruit in the market carefully. Ask the price per kilo before tasting; see our market guide.
- Book popular trips directly with the operator in the marina rather than through a reseller.
Sources: Carreiros do Monte, toboggan prices from 1 May 2026, Cabo Girão skywalk fee 2026, SIMplifica, trail fees