The airport is connected to many bus routes, and travellers also make extensive use of many car rental companies.
Car rental
Madeira is an island ideal for exploring by car, which is the only way to get to all the interesting places. The easiest option is to rent a car directly at the airport, where all car rental companies are based, including almost all multinational companies.
Car rental prices don't vary much throughout the year and range from around 200 eur per week. For more detailed information on car rental companies, traffic or petrol prices, see our guide to Madeira.
Buses
Public transport from the airport to the centre of Funchal is provided by a special Aerobus line. The bus stop is right at the exit of the arrivals hall. Cheaper lines run from the main road below the airport.
Tickets for all services can be bought from the driver, in the city centre and at the ticket office at the bus station. Payment at the driver's desk is currently cash only.
For detailed information on bus services on the island, see our guide to Madeira.
Aerobus
The special Aerobus bus service is the fastest transport to Funchal. It stops both in the city centre and at the famous Formosa beach. The buses follow the flight service every day, but the first and last services remain the same throughout the week.
You can use your return ticket for any connection (valid for 1 year from purchase).
- Fares - 6 eur / 10 eur return
- Frequency - 30-60 minutes
- Travel time - 30 minutes to the centre (to the bus station), 50 minutes to Praia Formosa
- First bus from Terminal SAM - 2:50, 4:20
- First bus from Praia Formosa - 2:30, 4:00
- Last buses from airport - 1:00, 1:45
- Timetable and stops: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios
Regular public transport lines
Connections by regular bus lines are cheaper but less frequent. However, the advantage lies in the more diverse network of destinations from the airport. These lines stop on the main road about 100 metres from the airport.
As they stop at more stops than the Aerobus, journey times to Funchal are longer at 45 and 50 minutes.
The ticket price is the same for all destinations and is 2,60 eur.
Lines 20, 23, 53, 113 and 208 stop at the airport, all of which can be used for travel to Funchal.
When travelling from the city centre, city buses travelling only to Funchal may also have the same line number, but these are different routes!
- Line 20 - goes to the airport about 4 times a day from the following locations: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/20)
- Line 23 - goes to the airport about 3 times a day from Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz (timetable and map: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/23)
- Line 53 - departs to the airport approx. 1-2 times daily from Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço, Porto da Cruz and Faial (timetable and map: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/53)
- Line 113 - goes to the airport about 7-8 times a day from Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço, Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço (timetable and map: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/113)
- Line 208 - goes to the airport about once a day from Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço, Porto da Cruz and Faial (timetable and map: siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios/208)
Taxi
Official yellow taxis with a blue stripe must always have the meter on and there are virtually no problems with rogue taxi drivers in Madeira. The price from the airport to the centre of Funchal varies between 18 eur and 22 eur depending on the length of the route.
A cheaper option (about 14 to 16 eur) is offered by Uber.
