The fastest ferry crossing to Madeira Islands is via the Porto Santo to Funchal ferry, in approximately 2h 30m.
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There are about 1 daily sailings and up to 5 weekly sailings to Madeira Islands. Ferry schedules can vary by season. Use our deal finder for the most up to date sailing times and compare tickets.
No, there is not a “ferry” in the real meaning of the word. Going from Lisbon to Madeira, is not like crossing a big river in a ferry. We have ferries to cross the Tagus (Tejo) river from Lisbon but that is just a 15 to 20 min crossing. From Lisbon to Madeira, it takes around 2:30 hours by plane (flying time).
The fastest ferry from Madeira Islands to Portugal is from Funchal to Porto Santo, with a crossing time of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Porto Santo Line offer this route with 8 sailings weekly combined.
Whilst cruising to Madeira is very popular, there aren't many reliable ferries that can take you to this stunning island, and certainly not for a day trip. The ferry (when it's running) from Portimao to Funchal takes twelve hours to reach its destination, so it's sadly unfeasible for the purposes of this blog.
There are two main access points for those looking to get to Madeira. First of all, Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, located in the city of Santa Cruz, which is the main gateway to and from the region. Secondly, the Port of Funchal, which is on the route of the major international cruise ships.
Funchal is worth visiting, due to its location, weather, several events during the year, historical monuments around the city, its culture and museums, world-renowned parks and gardens, amazing viewpoints to watch the sunset, and the nearby beaches and swimming pools.
The capital of Madeira is the perfect city to explore at your own pace. Walking around Funchal is always a pleasant experience, as the green of the mountains and the blue of the ocean accompany you while you discover this city by the sea.
Visiting MadeiraHowever, there are other means of transport available such as buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, bicycles and scooters. It is also worth mentioning the importance of the cable cars, which connect to some of the archipelago's most iconic points of interest.
The best way to freely explore Madeira at your own pace is to rent a car. Choose from a manual or an automatic car and hit the road in Madeira or Porto Santo. To avoid long lines and ensure that you get your preferred vehicle, we highly recommend booking your rental car in advance of your trip.
Funchal – Madeira Island's capitalA family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,943.8€ without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 542.5€ without rent. Funchal is 13.1% less expensive than Lisbon.
Are three days enough to see Madeira? To be honest: not even close. We recommend spending at least a week, but if you have just a couple of days, you can still cover some of the best highlights of Madeira.
Utility costs in Madeira are generally lower than those in mainland Portugal. Electricity prices are up to 21.8% lower than in the Algarve, and internet costs are 11.2% less expensive. The island also has a lower VAT rate than the mainland, making certain goods and services more affordable.
The archipelago of Madeira is located 520 km (280 nmi) from the African coast and 1,000 km (540 nmi) from the European continent (approximately a one-and-a-half-hour flight from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon).
Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine. However, a week is the perfect amount of time to really make the most of the island.