Madeira Airport at a glance
Madeira Airport, named Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, code FNC, lies in Santa Cruz on the east of the island. Many travellers search for the airport in Funchal, but it is not in the city. It is about 18 kilometres from the centre of Funchal. The drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Flights here are often restricted in strong wind.
This independent guide gives the transfer prices we could check in October 2026 and the dates on which wind disrupted flights this year. It is not the official airport or tourism website. For flight status, use your airline or the airport operator ANA.
Getting from Madeira Airport to Funchal
Two options for a Madeira airport transfer, and no tolls on Madeira's roads.
| Option | Cost 2026 | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobus (line 500) | €6.70 adult, €3.30 child | About 24 min to Avenida do Mar, about 50 min to the last stop | Cash only on board |
| Taxi | From €4.00 base fare, no official fare to Funchal | About 20–25 min | +20 % at night and at weekends |
Santa Cruz Madeira airport to Funchal: distance
The airport in Santa Cruz is about 18 km from the centre of Funchal. By road the drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes, and the Funchal Cristiano Ronaldo airport is served by both the Aerobus and taxis.
Transfers and tours from Funchal
Airport transfers, island tours, levada walks and whale-watching trips from Funchal, with live prices and availability.
Aerobus: the bus from the airport to Funchal
The Aerobus costs €6.70 for adults and €3.30 for children since the fare change of 1 April 2026. A prepaid ticket on the GIRO card is cheaper at €5.55 for adults and €2.75 for children. On board, only cash is accepted, so keep small notes.
The bus leaves from the arrivals area in the direction of Praia Formosa and serves the hotel zone along the Estrada Monumental. It takes about 24 minutes to the central stop at Avenida do Mar and about 50 minutes to the last stop. According to a secondary timetable source, checked against the official schedule on 25 September 2026, it leaves the airport from 8:30 to 22:00 and does not run on 25 December. New electric buses have served the route since October 2026.
The Aerobus is not bus 113, which is a different route. Check the sign on the bus before you board.
Taxi fares from Madeira Airport
The taxi rank is in the arrivals area on the ground floor. According to the airport operator, trips from the airport start at a base fare of €4.00 on weekdays. Between 21:00 and 06:00, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, a 20 % surcharge applies. Luggage or an animal adds €1.50.
The airport does not publish a fixed fare to Funchal. One secondary source gives roughly €25 to €35 as a rough guide, but treat that as an estimate only. Ask the driver whether the meter or a fixed price applies before you set off. Madeira has no road tolls.
Wind and diversions in 2026
Disruptions we could document this year.
| Date | What happened | Diversions |
|---|---|---|
| 2 March 2026 | About 50 cancelled flights, gusts up to 110 km/h in the highlands (IPMA) | – |
| 9 April 2026 | More than 40 cancelled flights | Faro, Porto Santo, Tenerife South |
| 8 June 2026 | Peak gust of 77 km/h at the airport, more than 20 cancelled flights | Lisbon, Faro, Porto Santo, the Canaries, or back to the departure airport |
| December 2025 | At times no landings | – |
We found no disruption for October 2026. The dates above fall in several months, so treat them as examples and not as a wind season.
How to plan around the wind
General advice, not an official rule.
Leave a buffer at the end
Do not book a tight connection on your return. A spare day before a long-haul flight removes most of the risk.
Check your flight
Look at the status with your airline or the operator ANA on the day, before you leave your hotel.
Know the diversion points
Flights have been sent to Porto Santo, Faro, Lisbon, Tenerife South and the Canaries. Keep your booking details and airline contact with you.
Plan the hotel
The Aerobus stops along the Funchal hotel zone. See where to stay for the options by area.
Where to stay →After you land
Pages for the next steps.
Funchal
The market, the cable car and the Botanical Garden.
Car rental and driving
Steep roads, tunnels and no tolls.
Where to stay
Funchal, the sunny south or the green north.
Weather and best time
Month by month, the dry summer and the wetter winter.
Porto Santo
Ferry or a 15-minute flight to the long beach.
Car hire at Funchal airport: what to know
If you plan car hire at Funchal airport, bring a physical driving licence, because a digital copy may not be accepted by the rental company. Drivers aged 18 to 20 may pay a deposit of up to €600 with some companies, so read the contract before you book. Madeira has no toll system, and the more than 100 tunnels are free, but the mountain roads are steep and narrow.
For rules, parking and when you do not need a car at all, see our car rental and driving page.
Madeira Airport: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Madeira Airport to Funchal?
By Aerobus for €6.70 (cash only on board) or by taxi from a €4.00 base fare. The distance is about 18 kilometres and the drive takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
Why are flights to Madeira cancelled?
The airport is exposed to strong wind. In 2026 there were days with 20 to 50 cancellations and diversions to Faro, Porto Santo, Lisbon, Tenerife South or the Canaries.
Can I pay by card on the Aerobus?
No. On board only cash is accepted. A prepaid GIRO card ticket costs €5.55 for adults.
What is the extra charge for taxis at night?
A 20 % surcharge applies from 21:00 to 06:00 and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Luggage or an animal adds €1.50.
Is the Aerobus the same as bus 113?
No. Bus 113 is a different line. The Aerobus is line 500.
Do I need cash when I land?
If you take the Aerobus, yes: it accepts only cash on board. Taxis start at a €4.00 base fare, so ask the driver how you can pay before you set off.
Can I fly to Porto Santo from here?
Yes, a short flight of about 15 minutes links Madeira and Porto Santo. The ferry is the alternative. See our Porto Santo page for details.