Travelling Madeira by Bus - Made Easy
Travelling Madeira by bus means making the bus journey itself an experience for you?
Do you want to explore Madeira in an eco-friendly way without an expensive rental car?
Driving on narrow and winding roads doesn’t sound fun to you?
Due to extreme slopes, cycling isn’t an option either?
Would you also like to discover hidden gems?
Do you want to avoid long searches for parking spots on vacation?
Do you want to enjoy the views without having to focus on traffic?
Tips for an optimal bus experience would make bus travel easy for you?
Travelling Madeira by Bus: A Simple Way to Explore
The new combination of travel guide + bus schedules
In this 106-page PDF, you’ll find everything you need to know:
You start your journey with public buses from Funchal, reach attractive destinations, and enjoy a relaxing day.
Whether you’re planning from home or already on the island,
this guide gives you all the tools you need for successful trip planning.
- 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
- The departure points of SIGA buses (formerly Rodoeste, Horarios, and S.A.M.) in Funchal
- Details on ticket prices and different ticket options
- Maps of long-distance bus stops and ticket sales points in Funchal
- Important opening times and contact numbers (local emergency services, taxi, etc.)
- A customer area with updates
- Event calendar for villages and towns
- And much more!
106 pages, downloadable as a PDF, introductory price: €19.80
60-day money-back guarantee
The buses travel through hidden valleys and picturesque villages, making the ride itself a special experience.
Travelling Madeira by Bus offers a practical solution to challenges such as confusing bus schedules or the lack of parking. By combining a travel guide with bus schedules, you can easily and authentically reach 24 full-day destinations without stress. With clearly structured timetables and a map showing the places accessible by Madeira’s buses, you can plan your tours efficiently. The guide also provides tips on how to buy bus tickets, making it easier for you to access public transport.
By using buses, you avoid challenging road conditions and actively contribute to environmental protection. At the same time, you’ll enjoy Madeira’s breathtaking landscapes without the stress of driving and get an authentic glimpse into island life.
Travelling Madeira by Bus is the perfect combination of sustainable transport and convenient tour planning. You gain the freedom to discover Madeira’s beauty without any hassle.
And for all car enthusiasts: the numerous tips for activities away from the mainstream make the guide interesting for drivers too!
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
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 our Bus Routes & Travel Guide and look forward to:
- 24 full-day exciting excursions
- With departure and return times
- And tips for activities
Useful Information / FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.