From the airport to the city centre Madeira

From the airport, located 19 km from the center of Funchal, it's a 25-minute journey by car or cab (approx. €30 for the day, €34.50 between midnight and 6 a.m.) and a 50-minute journey by Aerobus (€6).

Arrival by boat Madeira

Most travelers reach Porto Santo by boat. The Porto Santo Line (www.portosantoline.pt) operates services to the small island from the port of Funchal. Departures are generally at 8am, with returns at 6pm. Journey time is 2h30. There's everything you need on board (even a cinema!). Please note that in low season, there are no departures on Tuesdays. Cost: €55 between October and March, €67 the rest of the year, and from €91 with an electric car, €183 with a standard car. Bicycles are free. In high season, it's advisable to book your ticket in advance.

Public transport Madeira

Bus route map available from the tourist office. Most run through Funchal (avenida do Mar). Tickets can be bought from ticket machines, kiosks or directly on board the bus (although they can be a little more expensive). Companies :

Horários do Funchal (horariosdofunchal.pt) operates urban and intercity routes to the center and north: Santana, Santo da Serra, Curral das Freiras, Arco de São Jorge, Camacha, São Jorge, Porto da Cruz, Santa Cruz or Caniço. Yellow bus;

SAM (www.sam.pt) serves the east: Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz (and airport), Machico, Santo da Serra, Porto da Cruz, Faial or Portela and Pointe Saint-Laurent. White and green buses;

Rodoeste (www.rodoeste.com.pt) operates to the west and north-west of the island, including Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Porto Moniz and São Vicente. White and red buses;

EACL (www.eacl.pt) will take you to Caniço. Grey and red buses.

With a driver Madeira

Cabs are instantly recognizable: yellow with a blue stripe. Some fares are fixed, for example between the airport and Funchal (around €30, displayed on a high sign at the terminal). Otherwise, it's the meter that counts. It's common to hire a cab for a half- or full-day excursion. The price will depend on the distance covered. The driver will probably take you on a classic circuit, with the same photo breaks as the large air-conditioned coaches offered by travel agencies. A common language with the driver is essential. What's more, each vehicle has a document(tabela) supplied by the administration. This lists the prices of standard trips and the various fares, which can be consulted on request. Night (9pm to 6am) and weekend fares are extra.

By car Madeira

The archipelago's road network is modern and well-maintained. It extends to the four corners of the island, adapting to the steepest terrain. To save time, there is an expressway running along the coast. More than a hundred tunnels have been built in the region (so much for admiring the scenery!). Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the island in complete freedom. There are numerous agencies at the airport (online booking is often more attractive in terms of rates). It's a good idea to compare prices, read your contract carefully and, if your budget allows, travel with comprehensive insurance (to avoid unpleasant surprises!). You should also know that a car is not really essential in Funchal, where parking is often difficult. It does, however, become a necessity as soon as you want to get out of the capital. Once you've managed to get away from the urbanization, Madeira's roads are often the scene of all kinds of events and unexpected encounters: driving slowly and stopping often, in a safe place, allows you to enjoy the scenery to the full. Locals tend to push the pedal to the metal!