How Much is a Trip to Madeira and What to Expect 

This blog post gives you all the details about our trip to Madeira in Portugal, how much it cost us, and what we explored. It is compiled of all the questions you usually ask us on Instagram, and we hope it will help you prepare for your trip. Read on to learn how to plan and prepare and how much money you need. 

Surrounded by the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira a stunning gem that is unparalleled in its beauty. You can find breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. If you have Madeira on your travel bucket list, do not hesitate to book that ticket.

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FAQ about traveling to Madeira, Portugal

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How much is a flight ticket to Madeira?

Throughout Europe, there are several cities already offering direct flights to Madeira, like, for example, Vienna in Austria, several cities in the UK, and more. For us, we started our Portugal trip in Lisbon, where we spent several days before flying from Lisbon directly to Funchal, the capital, to Madeira.

Item	From-To	Departure	Arrival	Total Price	Price/Person
Flight Ticket	Lisbon, Portugal – Funchal, Portugal	30th of August	30th of August	€267.81 (for 3 people)	€89.29
Flight Ticket	Funchal, Portugal – Vienna, Austria	7th of September	8th of September (we had 24-hour delay) 😅	€556.77 (for 3 people)	€185.59

Where to rent a car in Madeira? 

In Madeira, there are several options for renting a car, catering to different preferences and budgets. There are some popular choices.

• • Car Rental Companies at Madeira Airport. Many international car rental companies operate directly from Madeira Airport (Aeroporto da Madeira), making it convenient for travelers to pick up a vehicle upon arrival. Companies such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt have desks at the airport.
  • Local Car Rental Agencies. Several local car rental agencies are scattered across Madeira, particularly in major tourist areas like Funchal. These agencies often offer competitive rates and personalized service. We also booked our car from Funchal Drive. As they are not located at the airport, they picked us up after arriving and took us to their offices, which are close. The service was nice; we received our car fast and went off. 
    

    Item	Date From	Date To	Total Price	Price/Person
    Car Rental (Funchal Drive)	30th of August	4th of September	€477.50	€238.75

    *Note: we traveled in a group of 3 people, thus the price per person.

• Hotels and Accommodations. Some hotels and accommodations in Madeira may also offer car rental services or partnerships with local rental agencies. This option can be convenient if you prefer to arrange everything through your accommodation provider.
• Online Platforms. Utilizing online platforms and booking websites can provide a wide range of options for car rentals in Madeira. Websites such as Rentalcars, Expedia, Kayak, and Auto Europe allow you to compare prices, read reviews, and book rental cars in advance, often at discounted rates.

Before renting a car make sure it is strong enough. We had a C4 Cactus 1.2, which needed to be more. Make sure your car has at least 1.4. Ours barely made it up the hills, and many of them are in Madeira. We felt sorry for our rented car. 

After you get your car, familiarize yourself with Madeira’s driving regulations and road conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience on the island. Overall, the roads are excellent and well-kept.  Read more here – link.

How is parking in Madeira?

Madeira is a well-traveled island, and thus you will see a lot of cars parked at the famous attractions. Now, regarding the costs, most parking at tourist sites across Madeira is free as of 2022. However, there are a few paid parking areas, such as Caldeirao Verde Levada, although Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, Sao Lourenco, and many other hot spots remain free. 

On the weekdays, you can park freely from 8 pm. to 8 am. on the blue line parking spots around the island, including Funchal. On Saturday, you can park freely on the BLUE LINE parking spots from 2 pm forward.

On Sundays and Holidays, it’s free. Still, check locally, as, for instance, the blue lines in Porto Moniz are not free on weekends. Also, NEVER PARK on the spots where the letter “M” is written. It’s for the residents only.

Now, here’s some great advice: When you are going to one of the popular attractions and find a free parking spot, TAKE IT! Do not try to locate a closer spot; just take the one. 

Where to stay in Madeira?

Choosing where to stay in Madeira depends on your preferences, budget, and the activities you plan to engage in during your visit. Here are some options across the island. 

• • Funchal. Staying in the capital of Madeira is a popular option. It also offers the most options, from hotels to Airbnb, and the city has plenty of restaurants, shops, and more, making it convenient to explore. 
  • Coastal Resorts. Madeira boasts several coastal resorts, such as Porto Moniz, Machico, and Calheta, offering beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Rural Retreats. If you prefer a more secluded and serene experience, consider staying in one of Madeira’s rural areas, such as São Vicente or Santana.
  • Mountainside Accommodation. Madeira’s mountainous interior, particularly in areas like São Roque do Faial or Curral das Freiras, offers stunning panoramic views and hiking and nature exploration opportunities. 
  • All-Inclusive Resorts: Several all-inclusive resorts are scattered across Madeira, particularly in coastal areas like Caniço or Ponta do Sol. 

As mentioned, it depends on your preference. We stayed in two different Airbnbs. Most of our trip started in Ribeira Brava, where we stayed at the Renala I – Charming Apartment “With Jacuzzi.” Ribeira Brava offered a perfect combination for us, where we were still somewhat in the middle of the island with the same duration to travel to one side of the island as well as the other. Also, after all the hiking and exploring the island, it was nice to have some peace to relax, which would be harder to have in Funchal. 

We loved the Airbnb in Ribeira Brava not only because of the jacuzzi but also because it was nice to have. The location was great – we could waddle down to the town to grab a nice dinner; the host was very nice, even prepared a welcome package for us, including Madeira wine, and the view from the terrace was to die for.

Then by the end of our trip, we moved to Funchal for a couple of days before departure and stayed at the Airbnb Top floor avenida arriaga 802.

We had a nice view of the harbor and, once again, were close to waddling to the city center.
In general, Airbnb is much more preferred in Madeira, and plenty of them exist.

Item	Date From	Date To	Total Price	Price/Person
Airbnb – Ribeira Brava	30th of August	4th of September	€936	€312
Airbnb – Funchal	4th of September	7th of September	€145	€138.33

*Note: we traveled in a group of 3 people, thus the price per person.

What is the best time to visit Madeira, Portugal?

The short answer is, all around the year! It largely depends on your preferences and what you want to experience during your trip, but the climate is very favorable no matter what month of the year you come. 

• Spring (March to May). Spring is a beautiful time to visit Madeira when the island bursts with color as flowers bloom. The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 21°C (61°F to 70°F). It’s an excellent time for outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring gardens, and enjoying the island’s natural beauty.
• Summer (June to August). Summer is peak tourist season in Madeira, with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Daytime temperatures typically range from 21°C to 26°C (70°F to 79°F), making it perfect for beach activities and water sports. However, it can be crowded, especially in popular tourist areas like Funchal, and accommodations may be more expensive. We explored Madeira in August & September, and it was wonderful. 
• Autumn (September to November). Autumn is another fantastic time to visit Madeira, with warm temperatures and fewer crowds compared to summer. The weather remains pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 24°C (66°F to 75°F). It’s a great time for outdoor activities, and you may catch some of the wine festivals and cultural events that take place during this season.
• Winter (December to February). Winter in Madeira is mild and relatively warm compared to many other European destinations. Temperatures typically range from 16°C to 20°C (61°F to 68°F), making it a popular destination for winter sun seekers. While it may not be ideal for beach activities, winter is a great time for exploring the island’s cultural attractions and hiking trails and enjoying the festive atmosphere during the Christmas season, which they take seriously here. The city of Funchal is overdecorated with Christmas spirit, and if you come during this time of the year, we recommend staying till New Year’s Eve to see one of the biggest fireworks in Europe. 

Ultimately, the best time to visit Madeira depends on your preferences regarding weather, activities, and crowds. Whether you’re seeking warm weather for beach relaxation or mild temperatures for outdoor adventures, Madeira offers something for every traveler throughout the year.

How many days in Madeira is enough?

The longer, the better, but 4 to 10 days is a good start. Madeira has plenty of activities and places to entertain you for at least two weeks or more. We suggest a minimum of 4 to 10 days to explore in depth. More time is needed if you spend only three days or less in Madeira; even four days will feel like a jam-packed itinerary. We personally spent seven days there, and it was enough to explore the whole island. Check out our itinerary here – link.

Is it expensive in Madeira?

Madeira’s not expensive, but it’s also not the cheapest destination in Europe. Certain things in Madeira were excellent value, and the food isn’t really cheap compared to other Western European locations, but the quality of it was worth it. Ultimately, the cost of travel varies depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and the time of year you visit. Below, see how much we spend on food, entrances, and others. 

 *Note: this includes a group of 3 people and 2 penguins. We also overdid it in terms of food 😅.

Item	Date From	Date To	Total Price	Price/Person
Food (eating out & drinks)	30th of August	7th of September	€744.13	€248.04
Food – Grocery Stores	30th of August	7th of September	€242.49	€80.83
Attractions	30th of August	7th of September	€109.00	€36.33
Souvenirs	30th of August	7th of September	€223.54	€74.51
Transport (included gas, taxis, parking fees, etc.)	30th of August	7th of September	€121.70	€40.57

How much was your trip to Madeira, Portugal? 

Let’s calculate our expenses for three people and two penguins. For the flight tickets there and back we paid 824.58€. We spent nine days in Madeira, meaning eight nights. For accommodation, we paid 1 351€. For the car rental we payed 477.50€. For food (including restaurants and groceries) we spent 986.62€, for attrations we spent 109€, souvenirs 223.54€, and transportation (included gas, taxis, parking fees, etc.) 121.70€. 

So, for three people, nine days in Madeira get ready to spend around 4093.94€, which makes around 1364.64€ per person. 

Of course you can always make it more or less, depending on your travel lifestyle. 

Also note that we had our flight delayed for 24-hours and needed to find accomodaiton for one night, get a transfer from taxi and back and have some food which brought our costs up. For the one day delay we paid 382.50€ (127.50€ per person), which we were reinbursed. But in the end our total cost (including the one day delay) was 4,476.44€ for thee people. 

We hope this helped out with your planning and that you will enjoy Madeira as much as we did. It can get a little bit more expensive but still worth the visit. And you can always cut some expenses, like attractions or souvenirs, though never compromise on food! 😅

Enjoy Madeira and waddle on!

More about Madeira

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