Madeira is an island with no rail network so the bus network becomes an integral part of travelling around the island. Most people coming on holiday to Madeira use their cars at home 100% of the time for going to work, shopping or to take a welcome break drive into the countryside and can't remember the last time they travelled on a bus. Madeira will change that thinking. The buses are punctual and are not expensive.
The nearer you are to Funchal the more frequent the service is. If you intend to walk or visit other parts of the island the bus takes the strain of allowing you to see the beauty of the island without having to take your eyes off the road (not recommended) if you are driving. Using the buses enhances the walking by making you a free agent on the final destination by shortening or extending the walk, as most walks are linear, so you have no worries about a return journey back the way you came.
Walking should be a pleasure to take in the views with no time constraints. Madeira is able to offer this (with a few exceptions) due to the exceptional bus service that is available and more so now due to the RAPIDA (motorway) links from Funchal. West link to Ribeira Brava, Madalena do Mar, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Prazeres, Raposeira and links going East/North to Machico, Caniçal, Porto da Cruz, Faial, Santana, Serra de Água, Rosário, São Vicente, Seixal, Porto Moniz
The main bus service is the local Funchal City bus service, coloured yellow/orange (depending on who you ask). The City buses cover an outward journey to an invisible boundary line of 3 kilometres away from the sea front road. To travel more than 3 kilometres you need to board a country bus in Funchal.
The different country buses are all easily identified by their colour :
Silver with a yellow and white stripe takes you to Camacha, Santo da Serra, Poiso, Ribeiro Frio, Faial, Santana, São Jorge, Cabanas, Arco de São Jorge, Curral das Freiras (nuns valley).
Grey with a red and white stripe or the newer bus colour livery coming into service white with a red stripe takes you to Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Campanário, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Canhas, Madalena do Mar, Arco de Calheta, Calheta, Estreito de Calheta, Jardim do Mar, Paúl do Mar, Prazeres, Ponta do Pargo, Achadas do Cruz, Porto Moniz, Seixal, São Vicente, Ponta Delgada, Boaventura, Arco de São Jorge, Encumeada, Serra de Água.
Green and beige with a white stripe takes you to Machico, Gaula, Caniçal, Portela, Santo da Serra, Porto da Cruz, Faial.
White with a red and grey stripe takes you to Caniço, Caniço de Baixo, Garajau, Reis Magos, Assomada, Ponta de Oliveira.
All country buses pass or start on the sea road, Avenida do Mar. Going East, green and beige bus, you stand on the seaward side. Going West, grey with a red and white stripe, you stand on the landward side.
The other two country bus services, silver with a yellow and white stripe and the white with a red and grey stripe start next to the cable car station in the East end (old town) of Funchal City
Get better information about buses by purchasing 'The Unofficial Madeira Bus Guide' Published by us, only available from us. Price 2 Euro + postage.
I recommend a full day Western island tour by the grey with a red and white stripe bus that stops en route at selected locations for you to alight for a coffee take photographs and use the facilities. There are two journeys. One departs 09.00 everyday the other departs 10.00 Monday/Friday. Both have long stays at Porto Moniz (3½ hours). What's the difference between them. The 09.00 bus goes anti-clockwise around the West and uses mostly the old roads; the 10.00 bus goes clockwise around the West and uses motorway whenever possible. A trip of a lifetime. A quote from a passenger after the trip : "I loved it, but I was drunk with the scenery". But the best news is that it costs 10,40 Euro per person for the full day trip. You heard it here first. Don't tell anyone ;-))