HF runs a direct bus from Funchal to the summit (1,818 m) — no car needed.
Service
Departure
Return
Price
Direct bus
06h00 and 13h30 from Praça da Autonomia
12h15 and 19h00
€3.00
Shuttle CAM Florestal ↔ Summit
06h40–12h15 and 14h10–19h00 (continuous)
€1.20
Stops: Praça da Autonomia → Jardim Santa Luzia → Monte → Entrada Corujeira de Dentro → Terreiro da Luta → Portão Norte Herdade / Chão da Lagoa → Poiso → CAM Florestal → Parque Pico do Areeiro → Pico do Areeiro.
For sunrise: The 06h00 departure gets you to the summit before 07h00. Return at 12h15 allows the PR1 trail to Pico Ruivo. Confirm at horariosdofunchal.pt.
⚡ Electric Minibus in Funchal
Two electric minibus lines for the Old Town, hotel strip and Lido.
🟡
Route 05 — Linha Cidade
Tribunal → Pontinha / Cruzes. Weekdays only.
🟢
Route 05A — Eco Cidade
Zona Velha → Lido, via Estrada Monumental. Daily.
No fixed stops. Raise your hand anywhere along the route. All HF tickets and GIRO valid.
Tickets & Passes
GIRO ticketing system · Prices from Portaria nº 428/2025
Ticket
Zone
Where to buy
On-board
Municipal or Intermunicipal
Driver
Aerobus on-board
Airport only
Driver
Pre-purchased tickets
Municipal or Intermunicipal
GIRO sales points, online
Daily ticket
Unlimited trips for 1 day
GIRO sales points
Regional Turístico
All operators incl. Aerobus
GIRO sales points
GIRO card: Costs €0.50, reusable — load it with any ticket type at sales points. Prices at ogiro.pt or call 291 145 180 (weekdays 9:00–12:30 / 14:00–17:30).
Practical Tips
📱
Moovit app
Useful for route planning — but real-time departures may not always be accurate.
💶
Bring exact change
Interurban tickets from driver. Coins appreciated.
🕐
Check timetables
Porto Moniz/Curral: only a few trips per day.
📍
Departures from Funchal
All interurban buses leave from the Rua do "Saca" area.
🏷️
GiroBus app
Free offline app for HF routes and timetables.
♿
Accessible buses
HF has 8 accessible vehicles (3–4 wheelchair capacity).
🗺️ Can I explore Madeira without a car?
Honestly? Partly. Buses cover a lot of ground from Funchal — but Madeira's public transport has real limitations. Here's what to expect.
✅ Easy by bus
Monte & Jardim Botânico
Câmara de Lobos
Curral das Freiras
Pico do Areeiro (direct bus)
Ribeiro Frio & Balcões
Santana
Machico & Santa Cruz
Camacha
Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
Paul do Mar & Jardim do Mar
⚠️ Hard or impossible by bus
Porto Moniz (full day, tiring)
Seixal & Véu da Noiva
São Vicente (few daily trips)
Cabo Girão skywalk
Fanal forest (no bus at all)
25 Fontes / Rabaçal (no bus)
Ponta do Pargo (very limited)
For the north and west coast, buses exist but often run just 1–3 times per day. A day trip to Porto Moniz by bus is doable but exhausting — you'll spend most of the day on the road. For places like Fanal, 25 Fontes, or Cabo Girão, there is simply no practical bus connection.
🚐 Guided tours — the practical alternative
Organised tours cover the hardest-to-reach spots in a single day — with pickup from your hotel.
West Island Tour
Cabo Girão · Câmara de Lobos · Seixal · Véu da Noiva · Porto Moniz · São Vicente · Fanal
From €40 per person · Open Jeep from €62
East Island Tour
Pico do Areeiro · Balcões · Ribeiro Frio · Santana · Guindaste · Ponta de São Lourenço · Porto da Cruz
From €40 per person · Open Jeep from €62
Private tours available from €190 (up to 8 people, custom itinerary).
🚗 Prefer to drive? Rent a car — no deposit required
If you want full freedom to explore at your own pace, we work with trusted local rental companies. Cars from €25/day, no deposit, no caution — delivered anywhere on the island.
We also offer airport transfers from €15 so you can start your trip stress-free.
Valid from 01 September 2025 · Portaria nº 428/2025
Adult
€6.50
Per trip, one way
Child
€3.20
Per trip, one way
Cash only on board. Buy return at Stop 09 (Terminal SAM / Edifício 2000) on arrival. ATMs and currency exchange available inside the airport arrivals hall.
Free Wi-Fi on all Aerobus vehicles.
⚠️ No service on 25 December. Always verify at sam.pt.
