Madeira Airport (officially Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is the only airport in Madeira, but it’s actually located in Santa Cruz, about 20 km (12 miles) from the capital city of Funchal.
So, anyone staying in Funchal must make plans to get to their hotel from the airport.
This can be a bit of a headache, especially if you’re flying in late.
I remember landing at 2:00 AM (our flight from the Azores was delayed) and feeling lost. We had reserved a car rental, but by that point, the office was closed, so we had to find a last-minute taxi to our hotel.
Hopefully, that doesn’t happen to you! But the best thing you can do is prepare and understand all of your airport transfer options BEFORE you actually touch down in Madeira.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get from the airport to Funchal.
1. Private Transfer (Welcome Pickups)
Private transfers are the way to go if youโre looking for a stress-free way to get to Funchal.
Welcome Pickups is the best option for a straightforward airport transfer.
We love this because it guarantees you a ride upon arrival. They even track your flight and adjust the pickup time if there are delaysโa lifesaver if youโre landing late at night or after a long layover (this happened to us when using the service in Bali)
The time we had to get a last-minute taxi to the Madeira airport, the line took over an hour!
The price for a private transfer from Madeira Airport to Funchal is also very similar to that of a public taxi. Last we checked, the going rate was โฌ30 to โฌ40, depending on your exact destination and arrival time.
2. Rideshares / Public Taxi
If youโre familiar with ride-hailing services, you might wonder, Is there Uber in Madeira?
Unfortunately, Uber isnโt available here. The only active rideshare app is BOLT (a local alternative to Uber), but availability near the airport is known to be spotty.
Alternatively, you can opt for a public taxi (official taxis in Madeira are yellow with a blue stripe).
It’s right outside of the arrivals terminal on the Ground Level. As you leave the airport, you should see a taxi stand lined up with a row of taxis to take passengers to their destination.
How Much is a Taxi to Funchal?
A taxi ride from the airport to Funchal typically costs โฌ30. The government regulates taxis to ensure fair pricing, but prices fluctuate about 20% after 9:00 PM and on the weekends.
If youโre traveling in a group, this is very affordable since you can split the cost. It’s also the most convenient on-demand option. Before getting into the car, just make sure to confirm a working meter or a set price with the driver.
3. Take a Bus to Funchal
If you’re on a tight budget, the AEROBUS is your best option for getting to Funchal for a few bucks.
Madeiera’s AEROBUS is an express bus service that connects the airport to downtown Funchal. It stops at several popular hotels and major tourist areas in the city before reaching its final stop at Praia Formosa (so it doesn’t go all the way to Cรขmara de Lobos)
The journey takes about 50 minutes to get all the way to Praia Formosa, but it will pass Avenue Do Mar around the 25-minute mark.
Tickets cost just โฌ5 per person one-way or โฌ8 for a roundtrip ticket, making it by far the most affordable way to travel from the airport to Funchal.
Airport Bus Timetables (AEROBUS)
AEROBUS runs 24/7, so you should never have to wait more than an hour unless you arrive in the middle of the night, when the timetable slows to every 90-120 minutes (00:15, 01:00, 01:45, 04:00, 05:30, 07:00)
Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver (cash only), so take a small amount of euros out at the airport ATM.
You can check the Aerobus Timetables to ensure the pricing/timetables are current!
4. Rent a Car at the Airport
If you really want to make the most of your trip to Madeira, consider renting a car.
You don’t need one to get around Madeira, but we absolutely loved driving around the island. It gave us the chance to visit multiple spots and hikes in a single day, check out remote regions of the island, and we could change our itinerary at a moment’s notice.
Rental prices are surprisingly affordable in Madeira, starting at around โฌ30/day for a compact car with a manual transmission. It can be a little higher during peak season (or if you need an automatic car), but still way cheaper than taking daily taxis around the island.
Almost all of the rental agencies have an office at the airport, too. So, you can save money on an airport transfer by picking it up there and driving yourself to your hotel!
Just make sure to reserve your rental car well in advance. The most reliable rental agencies often sell out of vehicles (we used a company called 7M).
You can read all about our experience renting a car and driving around Madeira here.
finding Cheap Flights to Madiera
Flights to Madeira can vary significantly in price depending on where youโre coming from.
Travelers from Europe can find roundtrip flights to Madeira for $200-300 year-round. There are tons of direct flights from major hubs like London, Paris, Lisbon, Porto, and Madrid.
People coming from the U.S. or Asia will have a more difficult time finding cheap flights. The most affordable flights we’ve ever seen were out of New York, which cost roughly $500. If you’re coming from a smaller city, it will likely be over $1000.
We usually use Google Flights or WayAway to find the most affordable dates, then sign up for the FareDrop newsletter to try to wait for a deal to drop.
Last summer, we actually saved a lot of money by purchasing a roundtrip flight roundtripores (Sฤo Miguel) and then another roundtrip flight roundtrip from Sฤo Miguel to Funchal!
So, if you’re interested in spending some time in the Azores, this could be worth looking into!
Where to stay in Funchal
Once you figure out how to get to Funchal, the next logical decision is accommodation.
Unless you’re renting a car, you should absolutely stay in Funchal. It’s the only truly walkable city in Madeira, where all public tours have their pickup, and after a full day of adventure, this is where you’ll want to be in the evenings, anyway!
Here are just a couple of the best spots to stay in Funchal.
Quinta Jardins do Lago
Quinta Jardins Do Lago is a boutique hotel set in a historic 18th-century estate surrounded by botanical gardens with over 500 plant species.
As you might expect, it’s not the cheapest place to stay in Funchal, but if you want a truly surreal environment for your honeymoon or a more luxurious holiday, this is the best option by far!
The 4 on-site restaurants, 2 pool areas (indoor & outdoor), hot tub, and highly attentive service make it even more special for the guests. The only downside is that it’s not super close to the town center, so you will likely need to hire a quick taxi to get into the city center.
Three House Hotel
The Three House Hotel is a more chic, modern hotel ideal for travelers who want to be central to downtown but want a more ‘homey’ accommodation.
This also applies to families or friends traveling as a group of 4-5 people.
Each of their spacious apartments has a full kitchen and multiple bedrooms. Guests also have access to the rooftop terrace, which features a pool, restaurant/bar, and stunning views of Funchal City.
We also love that there’s free parking and the daily croissant deliveries each morning!
Zarco Bed & Breakfast
Zarco Bed & Breakfast is a cozy and inviting guesthouse located in the heart of Funchal, and it’s one of the most affordable places to stay in the city (without being a hostel)
The B&B is just a short walk from the best wineries and restaurants around Old Town Funchal, and you can easily walk to the FunchalโMonte Cable Car.
Breakfast is freshly prepared each morning, and each room can accommodate a crib if you’re traveling to Madeira with a little one!
What’s Our Choice?
Every time we’ve traveled to Madeira, we rent a car for most of the trip. It’s our favorite way to travel because it provides much more flexibility than the other options, and all major agencies have offices at the airport.
But we’ve also used other means to get from the Madeira Airport to Funchal, and they’re all pretty straightforward!
The AEROBUS is easily the cheapest option, but if you just want hassle-free service straight to your hotel, we’d recommend pre-booking an airport transfer.
Now that you’ve figured out the best way to your hotel in Madeira, here’s a guide to help you finalize your itinerary!
