Madeira Trip Guide
Madeira Taxi Guide: Meter Prices, Bolt and Hiring by the Hour
A Madeira taxi starts its meter at $4.59 (€4) by day and $5.51 (€4.80) at night, at weekends and on holidays, and no fixed route fares exist. This guide explains what a metered ride costs under the regional tariff agreed between IMT Madeira and the taxi associations, what Bolt offers on the island, what Uber's own site says about it, and when hiring by the hour pays. For every other way of moving, read getting around Madeira, part of our independent Madeira guide. If you land late, the airport taxi question sits on our Madeira airport page.
Quick answer The core Madeira taxi prices in three sentences
A 4-passenger Madeira taxi starts at $4.59 (€4) by day and $5.51 (€4.80) at night, weekends and holidays, then adds $0.11 (€0.10) per fraction of distance or time. Hiring by the hour costs $28.70 (€25) for the first hour under the agreed Tarifa P. Bolt works on the island, while Uber's own site does not list Madeira among its ride cities.
Key takeaways
- Day flag fare $4.59 (€4), night and holiday flag fare $5.51 (€4.80), details in the meter section.
- For a sunrise trailhead run, the Pico do Arieiro sunrise and PR1 transfer at $38.00 replaces a negotiated taxi climb.
- Taxis run to and from the airport, see our Madeira airport page for the taxi rank and fare picture.
- Hiring by the hour starts at $28.70 (€25), read hiring a taxi by the hour before you agree a price.
Madeira Taxi and the Alternatives Compared
This table compares the main ways to pay for a ride on Madeira, from the official meter tariff to app rides and buses, so you can see where each option wins. The taxi figures come from the regional tariff signed with IMT Madeira, the bus figures from the SIGA tariff and the Aerobus operator.
| Option | What you pay | Best for | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi by day on the meter | Flag fare $4.59 (€4), then $0.11 (€0.10) per fraction | Short city rides, flexibility | Meter can climb on long routes with traffic |
| Taxi at night, weekends, holidays | Flag fare $5.51 (€4.80), then $0.11 (€0.10) per fraction | Evenings out and Sunday travel | Higher start than the day rate |
| Taxi hired by the hour (Tarifa P) | $28.70 (€25) first hour, $14.35 (€12.50) per half hour, total agreed in advance | Families of four wanting flexible stops | Convention lists only the first hour and the half hour figure |
| Bolt app ride | Price shown in the app | Cashless rides, predictable quote | Price shown in the app, not regulated like the meter |
| Aerobus | $7.69 (€6.70) on board | Airport to Funchal hotels strip | Last departure from the airport is at 22:00 |
| SIGA bus | $2.35 (€2.05) municipal, $3.04 (€2.65) intermunicipal, cash on board | Budget travel on set routes | Cash only on board, fixed routes and timetables |
| PR1 transfer $38.00 | Fixed price with return from Achada do Teixeira | One-way hikers on the PR1 ridge | Fixed schedule, no detours |
Taxi figures come from the regional tariff published by IMT Madeira, the second amendment to Convention 1/2019. Bus figures come from the SIGA tariff sheet and the Aerobus operator page. App prices are quotes, not regulated fares. Figures current in Q3 2026.
How the Taxi Meter Works in Madeira
Madeira does not sell fixed route fares for taxis. The regional tariff, agreed between IMT Madeira and the taxi associations in the second amendment to Convention 1/2019, sets a meter that runs on distance and time, with different day and night values. The table below sets out every published charge for a standard 4-passenger taxi, taken straight from that official document.
The Published Charges
Every charge below is quoted in the official tariff. The night and holiday rate applies from 21:00 to 06:00, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and national and regional holidays. Each fraction of 65 m or 30 seconds by day, or 52 m or 25 seconds at night, adds $0.11 (€0.10) to the fare.
| Charge | Day (06:00-21:00) | Night, weekends, holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Flag fare (meter start) | $4.59 (€4) | $5.51 (€4.80) |
| Per fraction | $0.11 (€0.10) per 65 m or 30 s | $0.11 (€0.10) per 52 m or 25 s |
| Waiting time per hour | $13.78 (€12) | $16.53 (€14.40) |
Tariffs 1, 2 and 3
The meter has three tariffs. Tariff 1 applies only inside Funchal municipality. Tariffs 2 and 3 apply outside it, with tariff 3 applying when the client returns in the same taxi.
In practice this means a ride from Funchal out to a village and back in the same vehicle may be charged differently from a one-way trip. Ask the driver which tariff the meter is on if you leave the city.
What That Looks Like in Practice
These sums are ours, not official figures, and they cover the meter start only. A Saturday afternoon ride starts at $5.51 (€4.80), because the holiday and weekend rate runs all day. A Tuesday ride at 20:30 starts at $4.59 (€4), still inside the day window.
The same Tuesday ride 60 minutes later, at 21:30, starts at $5.51 (€4.80). Each fraction then adds $0.11 (€0.10).
- Saturday afternoon, meter start: $5.51 (€4.80), our sum
- Tuesday 20:30, meter start: $4.59 (€4), our sum
- Tuesday 21:30, meter start: $5.51 (€4.80), our sum
No Fixed Airport Fare
No fixed airport-to-Funchal fare appears in the tariff, so the meter governs that ride like any other. Our Madeira airport page covers the airport taxi rank and the bus alternatives in detail.
Sources: IMT Madeira, second amendment to Convention 1/2019 tariff.
Supplements, Luggage and Larger Taxis
Beyond the meter, the tariff lists a small number of supplements and free items. They are few, which makes a Madeira taxi cheaper to predict than in many cities. Check this list before you get in, especially if you travel with a big suitcase or a dog.
What Costs Extra
Only two add-ons appear in the official document. A vehicle for 6 or 8 passengers charges 20% more than the standard rates. A supplement of $1.72 (€1.50) applies for luggage or pets.
- 6 or 8 passenger vehicles: 20% more on the meter
- Luggage or pet supplement: $1.72 (€1.50)
What Is Free
The tariff names four things a taxi must carry without charge. This matters for families and for travellers with reduced mobility, who should not be asked to pay for these items.
- Pram
- Wheelchair
- Guide dog
- Hand luggage up to 55x35x20 cm and 25 kg
A Checklist Before You Get In
A short routine avoids most disputes. Run through it in the time it takes to load your bag.
- Confirm the driver will use the meter, or agree the hourly Tarifa P price in advance
- Mention large luggage or a pet, so the $1.72 (€1.50) supplement is clear from the start
- Ask whether card is accepted, because no official page confirms a card rule, and carry cash
- Ask for a receipt at the end of the ride
Sources: IMT Madeira taxi tariff.
Hiring a Madeira Taxi by the Hour
For a day of flexible sightseeing, a Madeira taxi can be hired by the hour under the tariff's Tarifa P, agreed with the driver in advance. This is different from the meter: the price is set before you set off, so there are no surprises from traffic or fractions. The convention lists exactly two figures, and you should agree the total for your route before the doors close.
The Tarifa P Figures
The 2026 tariff gives a first hour at $28.70 (€25) and a half hour at $14.35 (€12.50). The convention text only gives these two figures, so our reading is that any further period beyond the first hour is quoted in half hour units, but you should not assume it. Agree the total price and the route with the driver before setting off, and get it in writing or on the receipt.
- First hour, agreed in advance: $28.70 (€25)
- Half hour figure in the tariff: $14.35 (€12.50)
- Beyond those two published figures: agree the total with the driver before you leave
When Hiring Beats a Tour
A taxi by the hour wins when you want control. A family of four can find that the per-person price of a shared tour exceeds a negotiated hourly rate, and the taxi will wait while you linger at a viewpoint. Flexible stops, a private vehicle and your own timetable are the arguments for it.
- A family of four splitting one hourly rate instead of four tour places
- Custom routes with as many stops as you like
- Waiting time built into the deal, no missed departure if a walk runs long
When a Tour Wins
A tour has a fixed price per person, a set route and, on the trails, a pickup at the far end. On one-way hikes this matters most, because a taxi left at the start point does not follow you over the ridge. Compare the offers on our Madeira tours page before you commit to an hourly deal.
Sources: IMT Madeira taxi tariff.
Bolt, Uber and Taxi Apps in Madeira
App-based rides, known in Portugal as TVDE, are legal and regulated in Madeira. One major platform operates on the island and another does not list it, so check the app before you rely on it. No other taxi app is named in this guide.
TVDE Is Legal in Madeira
TVDE, the Portuguese term for app-booked passenger transport, is regulated by the national Lei 45/2018, the regional Decreto Legislativo Regional 14/2020/M and Decreto Regulamentar Regional 1/2021/M. IMT Madeira runs an active licensing process for TVDE operators and certified drivers in the region. Operators must still have their registered seat in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The Regional Cap Was Struck Down
The regional rules once capped TVDE licences at a fixed quota of vehicles. The Constitutional Court, in Acórdão 68/2024, declared that cap unconstitutional, so it no longer applies. The struck-down text had set a global cap of 40 vehicles and 3 per operator, so that ceiling no longer limits the number of app cars.
What Bolt Offers in Madeira
Bolt's own Madeira page lists everyday rides (Bolt, for 1 to 4 passengers), XL for 6 passengers, and Green hybrid and electric vehicles. It also lists taxis booked in the app, under Taxi, Taxi XL and XXL Taxi. For those app-booked taxis, Bolt states that pricing is determined by the taximeter, with distance, waiting times and supplements applying, so the meter rules govern them.
Bolt advertises rides to and from Madeira airports and prints no fixed fares and no coverage map for the island. Any route price estimate in the app is an estimate, not an official fare.
Uber Is Not Listed
Uber's Portuguese site does not list Madeira among its ride cities. It names the airport only among its airport locations. Our reading is that you should check the app on arrival rather than plan around an Uber ride in Funchal.
Sources: IMT Madeira TVDE FAQ, Bolt in Madeira, Uber Portugal ride page.
When a Taxi Makes Sense on Madeira
Buses on Madeira are cheap and reach most of the island, as our getting around Madeira guide explains. But timetables, route shapes and geography leave gaps where a taxi is the simplest answer. These are the situations where our pick is a taxi or an app ride.
Late Airport Arrivals
The Aerobus from the airport runs until 22:00 at $7.69 (€6.70) on board. Land after that, or with heavy luggage, and a taxi is the remaining option for most of the Funchal hotel strip. Our Madeira airport page sets out the full arrival picture, including the Aerobus timetable.
The Monte Toboggan Finish
The Monte toboggan run ends in Livramento, a different place from where it starts, which the Monte toboggan guide covers in full. Many riders finish the ride and need transport back toward central Funchal, and a taxi is the usual way to do it. Factor that return leg into the cost of the toboggan outing.
One-Way Hikes
The PR1 crossing between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo ends far from where it starts, and there is no return transport from IFCN. Hikers exit at Achada do Teixeira or Ilha and need a pickup there. A scheduled option is the Pico do Arieiro sunrise and PR1 transfer at $38.00 with return from Achada do Teixeira, and trail fees and permits are explained on our Madeira trail fees page.
Evenings in Funchal and Rain Days
Evening bus frequencies on Madeira are thin, and an evening out in Funchal at night often ends well after the last useful bus. A short metered ride home from the Old Town area is where the day flag fare of $4.59 (€4) does its best work. On wet days, when rainy day Madeira plans beat exposed viewpoints, a taxi turns a soggy walk into a museum run.
Versus the Bus
A SIGA bus ride costs $2.35 (€2.05) municipal or $3.04 (€2.65) intermunicipal on board, paid in cash only. If a scheduled route serves your start and end points, the bus usually costs a fraction of a taxi. Use taxis to fill the gaps, not to replace the network.
Sources: SIGA Aerobus, SIGA tariff, IMT Madeira taxi tariff.
Receipts, Complaints and What Is Not Published
The tariff tells you what to pay and what to do when something goes wrong. It is equally useful to know what no official page publishes, so you do not hunt for information that does not exist.
Ask for a Receipt
The tariff's own advice is to ask for a receipt. It is your proof of the route and the charge, and it is what you need if you later want to complain or claim on travel insurance. Ask at the start of the ride if the journey matters to you.
Complaints and Emergencies
Complaints about a taxi go to the PSP, the police force, on 291 208 400. For any real emergency, including a road incident, call 112, free of charge, from anywhere in Portugal including Madeira. Keep the receipt with the driver's details if you intend to follow up a complaint.
What No Official Page Publishes
Several questions travellers ask have no official answer on the pages we read, so we say so plainly.
- A current list of taxi rank locations is not published on an official page we could verify, and municipal notices have moved several Funchal ranks
- Whether taxis must accept card payment is not stated on any official page we read, so ask before you ride and carry cash
- A mandated taxi colour or livery for Madeira is not published on the official pages read
- Fixed fares for specific routes do not appear in the tariff, because the meter governs
Sources: IMT Madeira taxi tariff, Proteção Civil da Madeira, 112.
Transfers and Tours That Replace a Taxi
On several routes, a shared transfer or tour does the job of a taxi at a fixed per-person price. Pickups matter as much as price, so check the meeting point before booking. Each card below links to the operator's booking page.
from $56.00
Funchal Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer
A transfer-only package to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise, with a later pickup from Achada do Teixeira for hikers doing the PR1 trail on their own.
Check Availability
from $38.00
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise & Ruivo PR1 Hike Transfer
A timed sunrise transfer to Pico do Arieiro with a return pickup after the PR1 ridge hike toward Pico Ruivo, plus permit booking help.
Check Availability
from $40.00
Eastern Madeira Full-Day Tour with Rum Tasting
An 8 hour eastern Madeira circuit with the Balcões walk, Santana's thatched houses, a rum tasting at Porto Cruz and free entry to the Guindaste skywalk.
Check Availability
from $92.00
Funchal 2-Hour Tuk-Tuk Tour with Cable Car Finale
A 2 hour small-group Funchal tuk-tuk tour ending with a ride on the Monte cable car, with a local driver-guide and fuel included.
Check Availability
from $79.00
Madeira Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal & Fanal 4WD Tour
A full-day open-roof Land Rover tour reaching Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal forest and Ponta do Sol, with a lunch break and free pickup.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Where to Go Next
Three pages answer the questions most taxi readers ask next. Start with the airport if you have just landed.
Madeira Airport
The Madeira airport page covers the airport taxi rank, the Aerobus and the transfer options from arrivals. It pairs with this page because the airport run is the single most common taxi question.
Getting Around Madeira
Our getting around Madeira guide compares taxis with buses, car hire and the cable cars across the whole island. Read it before deciding whether you need a taxi or a longer-term transport plan.
Car Hire in Madeira
If you would be taking taxis most days, car hire in Madeira is the comparison to run. That page explains rental practicals, driving rules and parking in Funchal.
Madeira Taxi: Questions
How to order a taxi in Madeira?
Three ways work. Pick one up at a rank or flag one in the street, ask your accommodation to call one for you, or order a taxi in the Bolt app, which lists Taxi, Taxi XL and XXL Taxi categories for Madeira and prices those rides by the taximeter. A current official list of Funchal rank locations is not published, and municipal notices have moved several ranks, so the rank you used last year may not be there. Agree the meter or the hourly Tarifa P before the doors close.
How much is a taxi in Madeira?
A standard 4-passenger Madeira taxi starts at $4.59 (€4) by day and $5.51 (€4.80) at night, weekends and holidays, then adds $0.11 (€0.10) per fraction of distance or time. Waiting time is $13.78 (€12) per hour by day. No fixed route fares are published, the meter governs, so see the meter section for the full table.
Are Madeira taxis more expensive at night?
Yes. From 21:00 to 06:00, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and national and regional holidays, the flag fare rises to $5.51 (€4.80) from $4.59 (€4). The per-fraction step is also shorter at night, 52 m or 25 seconds instead of 65 m or 30 seconds, so the meter runs a little faster. Waiting time rises to $16.53 (€14.40) per hour.
Is there Uber in Madeira?
Uber's Portuguese site does not list Madeira among its ride cities, it names the airport only among airport locations. Our advice is to check the app on arrival rather than plan around it. Bolt is the app we can confirm operates on the island, see the apps section.
Does Bolt work in Madeira?
Yes. Bolt's own Madeira page lists everyday rides, XL vehicles for 6 passengers, Green hybrid and electric options, and taxis booked in the app under Taxi, Taxi XL and XXL Taxi. App-booked taxis are priced by the taximeter, and regular Bolt rides use the price shown in the app, which is not regulated like the meter. Rides to and from Madeira airports are offered.
Can I hire a taxi for a day in Madeira?
Yes, under the tariff's Tarifa P, agreed with the driver in advance. The published figures are $28.70 (€25) for the first hour and $14.35 (€12.50) per half hour, and the convention gives only those two numbers, so agree the total for your full route before setting off. For fixed-price alternatives, compare our Madeira tours page.
Do taxis in Madeira take cards?
No official page we read states whether Madeira taxis must accept card payment, and the tariff does not address it. Ask the driver before you ride whether card is accepted. Carry cash as a fallback, because a metered fare cannot be settled another way if the driver takes cash only.
How do I complain about a taxi in Madeira?
Complaints go to the PSP on 291 208 400, as stated in the tariff itself. Ask for a receipt during the ride, because it is your evidence of the route and the charge. For any emergency during a journey, call 112 free of charge.
Taxis and Roads in Madeira, on Film
Three videos showing taxis in Funchal and the roads a metered ride covers.
Taxi ride in Madiera
A short taxi ride filmed on the island, the meter experience in practice.
Video: Kelly MakiFunchal Madeira 4K Walk Yellow Taxis Mosaic Streets walking tour
A Funchal street walk where the yellow taxis and ranks are visible.
Video: ZWIEDZACZDriving MADEIRA, Portugal 🇵🇹 | Sunny South Coast in 4K Dolby Vision HDR
A drive along the south coast, the roads a metered ride outside Funchal covers.
Video: Virtual Relaxation - Scenic DrivesVideos load from YouTube only when you press play.
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