If you are living in Madeira you and do not own a car, There are a few ways to get around the island of Madeira, such as taxis, buses, and rental cars. Taxis are easy to find in the big cities and tourist spots in Madeira. They have blue stripes and yellow color.
Buses are run by different companies, depending on where you want to go. There are four main companies:
Horarios do Funchal: These are yellow and silver buses that go to Funchal and its nearby suburbs and some places to see, like the Botanical Garden.
SAM: These are green and white buses that go to the east part of Madeira, like Santa Cruz, Machico, Caniçal, and Porta da Cruz.
Rodoeste: These are white buses with red stripes that go to the west part of Madeira, like Camara de Lobos, Quinta Grande, Campanario, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Porto Moniz, and Sao Vicente.
EACL: These are blue and white buses that go to the town of Canico and its surroundings.
You can buy the tickets from the driver each time, or buy a prepaid card or a pass for more trips. The fares are different depending on how far you go and which company you use. Each company has a timetable that shows the time and price of their services.
Prices of bus tickets are not expensive in Madeira. Here are some examples of tickets for the buses of Horarios:
Tickets bought on board cost 1.95 € one way, and 1.35 € if you buy a prepaid ticket.
Children pay only 0.70 € and the price of a daily ticket is 4.50 € while a three-day ticket costs 11.50 €.
They offer more options like 5- or 7-day tickets and group tickets.
Safety and security are not major concerns when you take a bus in Madeira. Madeira has a low crime rate and the buses are in good condition and follow safety rules. The drivers know how to drive well on the hilly roads. However, you should still be careful, such as keeping your valuables near you and/or out of sight, especially at night.
Public transportation in Madeira is good and cheap, but it may not go to all the places you want to see. Some buses run not often or only on weekdays. Some routes may take longer than driving because of the curvy roads and many stops. If you want more freedom and comfort, you may think about renting a car or hiring a taxi.