Plan Your Trip to Madeira
What a day costs, airport transfers, driving yourself vs a hire car, and ready-made 3, 5 and 7-day plans – the practical side of a Madeira trip.
Updated October 2026
Madeira Without a Car: How to Get Around & See the Island (2026)
You don't need to hire a car to see Madeira. Base in Funchal, use the SIGA buses where they work, and book a tour for the rest. Here's the 2026 car-free playbook.Read the guide- Airport transfer
- Funchal ~20 min, from ~€30
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€80–120 per person
- Car needed?
- Only for the west coast & peaks
- Currency & language
- Euro (€), Portuguese, English widely spoken
Skip the hire car if you're basing yourself in Funchal and booking tours; get one if the west coast, Fanal Forest or the central peaks are on the list, since public transport out there is thin.
Car or no car is the first decision
Funchal, the east coast and most organised tours don't need a hire car – see Madeira without a car for how far buses and taxis actually get you. If the west coast, Fanal Forest or the central peaks are the priority, renting a car is genuinely worth it – Madeira's roads are steep and winding, so budget more driving time than the map suggests.
Airport transfers land you 20 minutes from Funchal
Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo Airport) sits east of Funchal on a cliff-edge runway – a private airport transfer takes about 20 minutes into the centre and is worth pre-booking to skip the taxi queue.
How many days is enough
Three days covers Funchal and one big day trip; five adds the west or east coast properly; seven lets you add a hiking day or a Porto Santo add-on without rushing. The 3-day, 5-day and 7-day plans lay each one out hour by hour.
Getting there & around
Itineraries
Decide if it's the right trip
Common questions
Do I need a car in Madeira?
Not if you're staying in Funchal and booking day tours – buses and taxis cover the city and most attractions. A car earns its cost if the west coast, Fanal Forest or the central peaks are on your list.
How much does a Madeira airport transfer cost?
A private transfer to Funchal runs from around €30 one-way for the roughly 20-minute drive, depending on group size and operator.
How many days do you need in Madeira?
Five days is the sweet spot for a first trip – enough for Funchal, one coast, and a hiking day without feeling rushed. Three works for a short break; seven suits a slower trip or a Porto Santo add-on.
Is Madeira expensive?
Mid-range, budget roughly €80–120 per person per day including a hotel, meals and one paid activity – cheaper than the Algarve's peak season, pricier than mainland Portugal off-season.