The airport is 20 minutes east of Funchal on the fast road. The famous landing is normal for the pilots; the wind just makes it feel dramatic.
A rental car is the way to see the island. The rental desks are inside the terminal and the cars are a short shuttle away. Book ahead in summer and at Christmas, when the island sells out of cars.
- Taxis are everywhere in Funchal (cream-coloured, blue stripe). Bolt is the only ride app on the island (no Uber). It is cheaper, but there are few cars, so outside Funchal and the airport you may wait. You see the price first.
- The yellow town buses (Horários do Funchal) cover Funchal; the Rodoeste and SAM buses go along the coasts, slowly and rarely.
- The cable car from the old town to Monte runs every day from 9:00, last boarding 17:45, closed only on Christmas Day. Worth it for the view alone.
- Sundays and holidays cut most bus timetables in half.