How to get to Madeira - Best Airline Connections to Madeira
Madeira, a top-rated travel destination, attracts around 1.6 million tourists annually by plane and 533,000 by cruise ship. The majority of visitors arrive from mainland Portugal, with 470,000 Portuguese tourists in 2022, making up over 30% of all arrivals. Other major visitor groups include travelers from the United Kingdom (21%), Germany (19%), France (9%), and Poland (5%), while the remaining 15% come from various other countries.
For a detailed travel guide, check out our interactive e-book, which has already helped hundreds of travellers plan their perfect Madeira adventure. With over 360 pages of expert insights, hand picked locations, and practical travel tips, it’s the ultimate guide to exploring Madeira with confidence.
Planning a trip?
Looking to book an activity or hire a guide? After spending two years on Madeira, we’ve gathered our top recommendations for local travel services, which you can find in our Madeira E-Book. But when we’re exploring new places, we always turn to GetYourGuide. They offer a huge selection of activities from trusted providers, all with upfront pricing and reviews from real customers, so you can book with confidence. Check out the activities below and find your next adventure with GetYourGuide!
What's the best way to get to Madeira
The most convenient way to reach Madeira is undoubtedly by flying to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Santa Cruz (FNC). Despite being an island, Madeira boasts an impressive network of connections with airports worldwide, including direct flights to far away destinations like New York City and Toronto with the Portuguese airline Sata Azores.
The best connections are between Portuguese mainland cities Lisbon and Porto, with over 10 daily flights from Lisbon, for around 50 to 100 Euros for a basic fare with Ryanair or EasyJet.
READ MORE: Madeira Perfect 7-Day Itinerary
Is there a ferry between Madeira and mainland Portugal?
Currently, there is no passenger ferry service between Madeira and mainland Portugal. If you want to bring your own car to Madeira, you can ship it via a container vessel, which costs around €500 from Lisbon. However, you’ll need to fly separately, as the ship does not accommodate passengers. Additionally, your vehicle must be completely empty, with no personal belongings inside, due to shipping regulations.
How to get to Madeira from Britain
For travellers from Britain, there are direct flights to Madeira (FNC) from several airports, with Manchester, London, Bristol, and Liverpool offering the best connections. Budget fares with airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet can often be found for less than 100 pounds, especially if you're flexible with your travel dates. A direct flight from London takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.
How to get to Madeira from Germany
Travelers from Germany can access Madeira through direct flights from seven airports. Budget-friendly options include direct connections from Berlin with EasyJet or from Frankfurt with Condor Airlines. However, basic fare tickets from Germany typically cost upwards of 200 euros.
How to get to Madeira from France
France also offers convenient connections to Madeira, particularly from Paris with airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet. While other French airports also offer direct flights to Madeira, Paris tends to have the most affordable fares.
How to get to Madeira from Poland
Being over a 5-hour flight away from Madeira, Poland is the furthest country among the top 5 visitors to Madeira. The reason for this might be that flights from Poland are likely the most affordable and convenient compared to those from the other countries mentioned. The connection between Poland and Madeira is clearly dominated by the fares offered by Wizzair. Flying from Chopin Airport in Warsaw and Katowice Airport in southern Poland, Wizzair offers 4 direct flights a week to Madeira for below 100 euros for the basic fare.
How to get to Madeira from the United States
There are direct flights between Madeira and New York City or Boston available with the Portuguese airline Sata Azores. The direct flight from New York City is only 6 hours, making Madeira a great gateway to Europe for American tourists. Another airline that offers direct connections to Madeira from the US is TAP Portugal, but their fares seem to be much more expensive. When traveling from the US, you should consider a layover in Lisbon and adding another destination to your itinerary.
How to get to Funchal from Madeira Airport
Upon arrival at Madeira Airport, travelers can reach Funchal using the SAM Aerobus service, which operates every 30 minutes and takes passengers to Formosa Beach. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, and no reservation is required.
You can find more informations about the Aerobus HERE. Alternatively, taxis or the Bolt app provide convenient transportation options from the airport, with the Bolt app allowing passengers to see the price before booking their ride.
How Much Does a Taxi Cost from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
A taxi from Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) to Funchal typically costs between €25 and €35, depending on factors like traffic, time of day, and your exact destination. For a more affordable alternative, the Madeira Aerobus is available for around €5 per person, with multiple stops across Funchal.
How to get around Madeira?
The best way to explore Madeira is undoubtedly by renting a car. We always use and recommend Discover Cars for our trips. They offer a wide selection of both international and local rental companies, with transparent pricing that includes all fees and taxes upfront.
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Madeira is such an amazing place to visit, and we still can't believe we've been able to call it home for the past two years. During our stay, we explored all the best spots on the island and tried all the most exciting activities, many of them more than once! This helped us create these comprehensive guides that will help you plan your own trip to Madeira.
Our Madeira e-Book Guide for Photographers and Travellers
For over two years, we’ve called Madeira our home, exploring every breathtaking corner of this stunning island. Since launching at the start of 2024, our guide has helped hundreds of travellers and photographers plan their dream trip to this magical destination.
cool! But you can use skyscanner and you know all the prices for the fares
Poland is one of the TOP5 visitors? I would never guess! Surely in TOP5 Expats