The Transport Guide
Getting around Madeira
Madeira is small — barely 57 km end to end — but it is vertical, and its roads are a feat of tunnels and cliff-hugging bends. A rental car unlocks the island; buses and taxis cover the essentials; and two rides — the Funchal cable car and the wicker toboggan down from Monte — are attractions in their own right. Here's how to choose.
Five ways to move
How to move
Pick by mood, budget, and how much cliff you can stomach.
Behind the wheel
A note on driving
Driving in Madeira is easier than its reputation suggests, but respect the terrain. The VR1 and VE expressways run the south coast through a chain of tunnels, turning what were once hour-long mountain crossings into ten-minute glides. Off the expressways, expect steep gradients, hairpins, and single-lane village streets — first gear is your friend, and so is the handbrake.
A few practicalities: fuel up before heading to the north or the interior, where stations thin out. Parking in central Funchal is metered and scarce — use a garage. Many miradouros (viewpoints) and trailheads have small free car parks that fill early, so start at dawn for the popular ones like Pico do Arieiro. Roads can close in heavy rain or cloud on the highest passes; check before a summit sunrise run.
If mountain driving isn't your idea of a holiday, don't force it — a mix of guided-transfer day trips plus taxis in Funchal covers most of the island without a wheel in your hands. Tell us your comfort level and we'll build the trip to match.
Prefer someone else to drive?
We arrange private transfers, guided day trips and airport pickups so you can keep your eyes on the view.
Plan your Madeira trip