Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Cruise ship
Right
Plane at Porto Santo's airport
Getting to and Around Madeira
!
By Air From
*
Rules of the Road
not a realistic option for
experiencing the island.
Europe
TAP Air Portugal operates
scheduled flights (direct
or via Lisbon) from major
European hubs, while
new carriers (such as GB
Airways) are entering the
market. Online travel
agents, including Expe-
dia, are the quickest way
to check flights and pric-
es. Charter flights are
cheaper, but may only be
available as part of a
package or for trips of a
week's duration. d
TAP
Air Portugal: www.tap-
airportugal.co.uk (UK);
www.tap-airportugal.us
(USA) • GB Airways:
www.gbairways.com
Madeira's roads are
improving, but be careful
when you join a fast high-
way from a slip road. You
may have difficulty getting
above second gear on one
of the island's older roads,
which tend to be steep
and winding. Parked cars,
buses and pedestrians are
everywhere, so drive with
caution. If another driver
flashes his lights, he is
proceeding, not giving way.
(
Porto Santo by Air
%
Taxis
Madeira's yellow taxis
are ubiquitous and rela-
tively inexpensive. Drivers
have to display a table of
fixed charges (for trips
such as that from the air-
port to Funchal), and must
use their meters on other
journeys. You can also use
taxis for half- and whole-
day tours of the island:
make sure you agree a
rate in advance (around
€40 for a half day or €90
for a whole day).
^
Buses
Flights to Porto Santo
from Santa Catarina Air-
port depart at one- or
two-hour intervals
throughout the day. The
trip takes 15 minutes;
you can check in up to 45
minutes before depar-
ture. Tickets can be
booked through any trav-
el agent or at the TAP Air
Portugal office. They cost
around €105 return.
d
TAP Air Portugal: Avenida
do Mar 8-10, Funchal. Map
L2. 291 239 211
)
Porto Santo
Buses are an easy,
economical way of getting
around the island, though
services are geared to the
peak commuter hours of
8-10am and 4-7pm. The
full timetable is available
from the main tourist
office. Tickets can be
bought from the kiosks
alongside bus stops or
directly from drivers.
&
Car Rental
@
By Air From
the Americas
As there are no direct
flights from the US, you
will fly into Lisbon, then
continue on the 90-minute
onward leg to Madeira.
£
Santa Catarina
Airport
Funchal's airport is small
and functional, with car
hire, banking services
and taxis, but little else.
An airport bus departs
for Funchal at roughly
90-minute intervals, but
its schedules do not
always coincide with
incoming flights. d
Map
K5 • 291 520 700
by Sea
The sea journey, by luxu-
ry cruise liner equipped
with cinemas, restau-
rants, shops and games
rooms, takes two-and-a-
half hours. Ships leave
Funchal at 8am, returning
at about 10pm. Tickets
can be booked through a
travel agent, or bought at
the port before boarding.
The cost is around €75
return. d
Porto Santo Line:
Rua da Praia 6, Funchal.
Map Q3. 291 210 300
For the ultimate flexi-
bility, hire a car. If you do
this, however, you should
be aware that parking in
Funchal is very difficult -
and metered. Under-
ground car parks are the
most convenient option.
Local companies, such as
Wind Car Rental and
Amigos do Auto, can
offer cheaper deals than
international franchises.
d
Wind Car Rental: 291 766
697 • Amigos do Auto:
291 776 726
$
Cruising
Madeira features on
many cruise itineraries,
but passengers rarely
spend more than a few
hours in port, so this is
November to February is the time for bargain holidays, but the
weather can be wet.
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