MADEIRA BY BUS: The Travel Guide That Takes You Further!

Holidays and Bus Travel on Madeira – Made Easy

🌴 Experience Madeira in a Relaxed and Sustainable Way – Without a Rental Car!

Forget about searching for parking, expensive car rentals, and confusing bus timetables: With MADEIRA BY BUS, you can discover 24 dream destinations on the island in an eco-friendly way.

🔎 What awaits you?

Stress-Free Travel – The Best Bus Connections at a Glance
Always Up-to-Date – Daily Updates for Timetables and Tips
Hidden Gems Included – Activities and Places Off the Beaten Path
Practical & Interactive – Available as a Downloadable PDF or a Printed Book

As a book to touch + leaf through
Always up-to-date with QR-Codes
No additional devices required

Immediately available as download
With links for current information
Always with you, the backpack is lighter

You've heard that bus travel on Madeira is a highlight in itself?
You would like to explore Madeira in an environmentally friendly way and without an expensive rental car?
You don't enjoy driving on narrow and winding roads such as those in the west?
Cycling is also not an option due to the extreme gradients?
Some insider tips wouldn't be bad either?
You like to avoid hours of searching for a parking space on vacation?
You like to enjoy the view without having to watch out for traffic?
Tips for an optimal bus travel experience would make bus travel easy for you?

Click Here and Start Your Adventure!

Madeira's public buses travel through unknown valleys and picturesque places, making the journey itself a special experience.

The MADEIRA BY BUS travel guide makes bus travel on Madeira easy! Incomprehensible bus timetables or local parking problems are now a thing of the past. With the combination of travel guide and bus timetables, you can reach 24 day-filling destinations in a stress-free and authentic way. With the clearly structured bus timetables and an overview map of the places that can be reached by Madeira buses, you can plan your tours efficiently. In addition, the travel guide offers tips on buying bus tickets to facilitate uncomplicated access to public transport.

By using buses, you avoid the difficult road conditions and actively contribute to environmental protection. At the same time, you can enjoy Madeira’s breathtaking landscapes without the stress of driving and get an authentic insight into island life.

MADEIRA BY BUS is therefore the perfect combination of sustainable transportation and convenient tour planning. You gain the freedom to discover Madeira’s beauty by bus without the hustle and bustle.

And for all car enthusiasts: thanks to the numerous tips for off-the-beaten-track activities, the guide is also interesting for car drivers!

Current Challenges for Traveling by Bus or Car in Madeira:

By bus: Confusing schedules and unfamiliar destinations

Madeira’s public bus system can seem confusing – timetables are often difficult to understand, and in some areas, bus services are irregular. Language barriers add to the difficulty since information is often only available in Portuguese. Tourists also worry about missing important connections or not returning in time because the routes and stops are unfamiliar.

By car: Unfamiliar roads and no parking spaces

Driving in Madeira also poses challenges. The steep, narrow, and winding mountain roads can be intimidating, especially for inexperienced drivers. Sharp curves, altitude differences, and roads along cliffs add to the uncertainty. Weather changes like fog or rain can make driving even more dangerous, and the lack of parking in popular areas increases the stress.

Want to avoid these hassles?

Then get your Travel Guide with bus routes and look forward to

Whether you’re planning from home or already on the island: here you’ll find everything you need to know when driving with public bus!

The choice is yours:

Printed Paperback

192 pages, 13.97 x 21.59 cm, with numerous QR codes for interactive information

PDF as instant download

106 pages, full format PDF, with numerous links to maps and places of interest

Bus schedules from Funchal to 24 scenic spots around the island
Information on maximum stay times and the most interesting highlights
Tips for activities and things to do, along with bus stop information
Clear timetables for each destination, including arrival and departure times
Some hikes with route details and return options
Departure points of buses in Funchal
Important opening times and contact numbers (local emergency services, taxi, etc.)
Daily updates of departure times in our customer area
60-day money-back guarantee
And much more!

Click Here and Start Your Adventure!

Useful Information / FAQ

Are the public buses on Madeira punctual?

In general, the public buses on Madeira are surprisingly punctual, and all operators strive to adhere to the set schedules as closely as possible. However, various factors can affect the schedule, such as landslides after rainfall (especially in remote areas). Therefore, it’s important to be aware of potential delays and to plan some buffer time into your day.

Are there spaces for wheelchairs, strollers, or surfboards?

Public buses on Madeira are increasingly becoming wheelchair accessible and offer space for strollers. This is especially true for newer buses, which have ramps or special provisions for wheelchair access. Many buses have specific areas for strollers. However, surfboards are generally not allowed on buses, as there are no secure storage areas for large items.

Which destinations can I reach by bus?

You can reach a wide range of destinations on the island using Madeira’s public buses. However, destinations in the island’s interior, such as the Paul da Serra plateau and Rabaçal, are only accessible via hiking. Nonetheless, the breathtaking views and unique landscapes more than make up for the sometimes challenging ascent along public roads.

Is it easy to get to hiking trails and nature parks by bus?

Madeira is known for its impressive hiking trails and nature parks. Trails like PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço can be accessed directly via bus line 113, or the Encumeada Pass via line 6. Other popular destinations, such as Queimadas (the starting point for the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike) or Fanal in the Laurisilva forest, can be reached with a combination of bus and hiking. To ensure enough time for your hike and avoid missing the return bus, it’s advisable to start early in the morning. Should time run out, we’ve listed local taxi numbers for each destination to keep travel time and costs low.

How often do buses run?

The frequency of public buses on Madeira varies depending on the route, time of day, day of the week, and season. Buses between major towns and important tourist spots (e.g., Funchal to Machico, Ribeira Brava, or Porto Moniz) typically run every 1 to 2 hours. Buses to rural or more remote areas tend to have fewer trips, sometimes only a few times a day or even just once a day. Bus services can also be reduced during school holidays. On December 25th, all bus services on the island are suspended.

How do I know where to get off?

There are several ways to recognize your stop. You can ask the bus driver when boarding or during the ride, or you can check at the stop itself. Most drivers are helpful and will let you know when it’s time to get off. Our bus guide also provides tips and a location map of the bus stops. OpenStreetMap also displays bus stop points, provided you zoom in far enough. That’s why we’ve linked all the maps in the guide with OpenStreetMap. Another way is to communicate with fellow passengers or other tourists; most people are friendly and happy to help.

Do Madeira’s public buses offer Wi-Fi?

Most public buses on Madeira do not offer Wi-Fi, so it’s advisable to rely on mobile data. Check your mobile carrier for international roaming options or purchase a local SIM card for your stay. Many public spaces, cafés, and restaurants on Madeira offer free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these opportunities to connect your devices and download important information before getting on the bus. Download maps and schedules ahead of time to use offline. Apps like Google Maps offer offline features that can be helpful when you don’t have internet access.

Are there day or week tickets for tourists?

There are practical day and week tickets for tourists on Madeira, allowing unlimited travel, ideal for exploring the island intensively. Availability and specific details are still unclear following the merger of the bus companies into the SIGA network. We’ve included a dedicated chapter on this in our bus guide and keep our website updated with the latest changes.

These and other questions are answered in our bus line guide. For feedback or more questions, feel free to contact us directly by filling out the form beside this section.

We answer these and other questions in our bus route guide.

For feedback or further questions, you can always contact us directly.

Simply fill out the form next to this text.