Madeira Bus Guide: Routes, Tickets and Journey Planner
Getting around Madeira by bus
Madeira has a full public bus network that reaches Funchal, the coastal towns, and the mountain villages. Three companies run it together. This guide explains how the system works, how to pay, and how to plan a trip from one place to another.
How the bus system works
The buses are run by three companies, coordinated since 2024 under SIGA. Horarios do Funchal covers the city of Funchal. Rodoeste covers the west of the island. CAM covers the east, the north, and Porto Santo. A single trip across the island can use more than one company, so it helps to plan the whole route in one place.
Old and new route numbers
Routes were renumbered to three digits in March 2026. You may still see older numbers on signs, printed timetables, and older guides. When you look up a route, use the current number first and treat the old one as a backup.
Tickets and fares
You can pay the driver onboard or use the Giro app for digital tickets. Fares depend on the operator and the distance. Read more about tickets and fares.
Plan your journey
The Madeira bus journey planner finds a route from any stop to any stop across all three operators, with departure times, transfers, and a map. Use it for live times rather than a fixed timetable.
Practical tips
- Carry some coins and small notes if you plan to pay onboard.
- Allow extra time on rural routes, where buses run less often.
- Keep your ticket until the end of the trip, especially if you change buses.
- Check the return times before you set out, as the last bus can be early in the evening.