Madeira's buses serve the coast well, the mountains much less so. Routes were renumbered on 9 March 2026: the old numbers are often still displayed at stops. Timetables are available on the SIGA portal.
The bus companies
- CAM (Companhia de Autocarros da Madeira): the east and north-east, and the airport Aerobus.
- SIGA Rodoeste: the west of the island, including Encumeada and Ribeira da Janela.
- Horários do Funchal: Funchal and the special Pico do Areeiro service.
Route by route
| Place | Routes (new numbering) |
|---|---|
| Caniçal, start | 702 Funchal – Caniçal – Baía d'Abra (CAM) |
| Machico | 701 Funchal – Machico (CAM) |
| Portela | 826 / 836 Funchal – Porto da Cruz – Faial (CAM) |
| Poiso, Ribeiro Frio | 850 / 860 Funchal – Arco de São Jorge, 801 Funchal – Santana |
| Pico do Areeiro | Horários do Funchal special service (see below) |
| Encumeada | 304 / 305 and 340 / 341 (Rodoeste), a few buses a day |
| Curral das Freiras | 181 (Horários do Funchal) |
| Boaventura | 306 / 307 (Rodoeste) |
| Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz | 340 / 341 Funchal – Porto Moniz via São Vicente, 250 São Vicente – Porto Moniz (Rodoeste) |
No bus serves Achada do Teixeira, Rabaçal, the Paul da Serra, Bica da Cana, Estanquinhos or Fanal: you need a taxi. The exact stop closest to Poço do Gil, on route 702, is still to be checked.
The Pico do Areeiro bus
Horários do Funchal runs a special service from Funchal (cable car stop) via Poiso: departures up at 6 am and 1.30 pm, down at 12.15 pm and 6 pm in winter (7 pm in summer), €3 on board (winter timetable from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027). A shuttle bus also links the Serras de Santo António car park to the summit every 15 minutes (€1.20). The service may be cancelled in bad weather.
Taxis
Taxis are the answer for mountain access points and for getting back late in the day, when buses become scarce. Book them the day before for early starts.
Other guides
- Madeira trail fees and bookings: SIMplifica guide (2026–2027)
- Madeira trail closures: is the Madeira Crossing open?
- Is the Madeira Crossing an official “GR1”?
- Camping in Madeira: camping zones, permits and rules
- When to walk the Madeira Crossing? Climate and seasons
- Safety, water and rescue on the Madeira Crossing
- Packing list for the Madeira Crossing
- Madeira Crossing budget: how much does it cost?