Madeira Airport (FNC, also called Funchal Airport or Cristiano Ronaldo Airport) is on the east coast near Santa Cruz, about 20 minutes by road from Funchal. Madeira has no trains, so you have four ways into town: a pre-booked private transfer, a metered taxi from the rank, the Aerobus, or a ride-hailing app.
Madeira Airport to Funchal at a glance
- Private transfer: about 20 minutes, door to door. Welcome Pickups lists €30 by day and €34 at night to Funchal in a sedan for three, €35 in a minivan for up to seven.
- Taxi: 24 hours from the rank outside arrivals, on the meter, with a charge for luggage.
- Aerobus: the airport bus to Funchal's hotel zone. €5.55 for an adult on a prepaid GIRO card (the card costs €0.50), under the March 2026 SIGA fare table.
- Ride-hailing: Bolt works on the island; check your apps before you fly.
How can I get a transfer from Madeira Airport to my hotel?
Book it before you fly. You give your flight number and hotel address, the driver tracks the flight and meets you outside arrivals with your name on a sign, and the price is fixed per vehicle, not per person. Funchal's hotels climb steep hills above the bay and many streets are narrow, so being driven to the door is worth more here than in most cities. You can book a Madeira Airport transfer with Welcome Pickups; their published fare to Funchal is €30 by day and €34 at night.
Is it cheaper to book a taxi in advance or at the airport?
Not necessarily cheaper, but certain. Airport taxis run on the meter, so the fare depends on your exact address, the time of day and your luggage, and you only know it at the end. A pre-booked transfer is a fixed price paid in advance, with no luggage charge on top, and it is waiting for you even if your flight is late.
Madeira Airport to Funchal by bus, taxi or Uber
How much is a taxi from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
Taxis wait outside the terminal around the clock and charge by the meter, with a supplement for each large bag. We don't quote a fixed fare because the meter decides it. If you want to know the price before you land, Welcome Pickups' fixed fare of €30 by day is the benchmark.
Is there a shuttle bus from Funchal to the airport?
Yes: the Aerobus runs between the airport and Funchal, stopping along the hotel zone. It is part of the island's SIGA network. Regular SIGA lines also pass the airport and are cheaper, but they stop often and have little room for suitcases. The Aerobus does not run late at night, so check the timetable against your flight.
How do I pay for buses in Funchal?
Buy a reusable GIRO card (€0.50) and load trips onto it, or buy a ticket on board, which costs more. The prepaid adult Aerobus fare is €5.55 under the 2026 fare table.
Can I Uber in Madeira?
Bolt is the ride-hailing app that operates on Madeira. Uber left the island in 2021, and reports on whether it is back disagree, so open the app before you rely on it. Ride-hailing is mostly concentrated around Funchal.
How far is Funchal from the airport?
About 20 minutes by car on the coastal expressway; Welcome Pickups times it at 19 minutes to Funchal and 22 minutes to the port. The Aerobus takes longer because of its stops. Planning the rest of the island? Start with our Madeira travel guide.
How we choose every transfer partner
- Fixed price, no surge What you're quoted is what you pay.
- Flight-tracked pickup Delays followed, free waiting time.
- English-speaking driver No language gap on arrival.
- Met at arrivals Your driver waits in the hall.
- Help around the clock Support at any hour.
- Independent reviews Rated by real customers.
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FAQ
Before you book
How much is a taxi from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
Airport taxis are metered, with a supplement for large luggage, so the fare depends on your address and the time of day. For a fixed price, Welcome Pickups lists €30 by day and €34 at night to Funchal.
How can I get a transfer from Madeira Airport to my hotel?
Book a private transfer before you fly with your flight number and hotel address. The driver tracks your flight, meets you outside arrivals and drives you to the door, at a fixed price per vehicle.
Is it cheaper to book a taxi in advance or at the airport?
A taxi at the airport runs on the meter, so you only know the price at the end. Booking in advance gives you a fixed price with no luggage supplement, which is often similar and always predictable.
Can I Uber in Madeira?
Bolt operates on Madeira. Uber left the island in 2021 and reports on its return disagree, so check the app before you rely on it.
Is there a shuttle bus from Funchal to the airport?
Yes, the Aerobus runs between Funchal's hotel zone and the airport. The prepaid adult fare is €5.55 on a GIRO card under the 2026 fare table. It does not run late at night.
How do I pay for buses in Funchal?
Use a reusable GIRO card, which costs €0.50, and load trips onto it, or pay a higher fare on board.
How long is the transfer from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
About 20 minutes by car. The Aerobus takes longer because it stops along the way.
Explore other destinations
Beyond the transfer