Getting around in Madeira
To drive or not to drive
It is impressive to think about the first settlers in Madeira and if you see the island, you will certainly ask: How can you build houses in such uneven terrain and mountains? That’s what Madeira is: mountains. The coastline is cliffs and there aren’t many straight roads. They’re long and winding. The locals replace brakes and clutches of their cars every two to three months and once you’re on the road there, you will understand why. If you rent a car in Madeira, it is worth paying a little more for a vehicle with a stronger engine to make it up to the mountains.
It is highly recommended to rent a car because the public transport network won’t get you where you want in most cases.
Public transport companies in Madeira
There are several transport companies on the island:
- Rodoeste for the West of Madeira
- SAM and EACL for the Northeast
- Horarios do Funchal for the capital and the Southeast
Charlie took the bus to Funchal a few times when she was at the coliving in Santo da Serra. It was the only bus that stopped there. If she had tried to go anywhere else than Funchal by public transport, it would have taken her the whole day because the buses in Madeira are infrequent and take a long time. You should know that Google Maps isn’t showing all bus connections. It is always better to check the online timetable with the respective bus company.
Taxis in Madeira
There is always the option to take a taxi in Madeira, but this can get expensive. It is best to ask the driver when you get into the cab how much it will be to avoid negative surprises. Charlie usually contacted a taxi driver called Marta when she needed a cab. She was given the contact by Homeoffice Madeira and Marta had picked her up from the airport when she first arrived. You can message her on WhatsApp: +351 932 424 281
Marta was always on time and gave Charlie valuable tips about the places she went to, e.g. Marta recommended an ice cream place for Porto Santo when she dropped Charlie and the others off at the ferry in Funchal and showed Charlie the map of Caldeirão Verde before she took off for that hike.
If you need a taxi for more than 4 people, you can get in touch with Paulo under +351 913 454 561 or taxidinis@hotmail.com He had driven Charlie and the others who were on the business retreat in Madeira from Ponta do Sol to Funchal and back for a day of exploration. He has a 9-seater taxi and will also give you a fair price beforehand.
There is no Uber in Madeira, but there is Bolt and you can also get a taxi via the app. The number of Bolts on the island has been limited by the government to protect the local taxi economy. The Bolt app also allows you to get a normal cab not associated with Bolt itself. If your accommodation is a bit further away from the usual tourist places, the Bolt drivers might reject your request in the app. Depending on where you are staying, it is better to ask your host or at the hotel reception.
image: Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
