Madeira on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes: Madeira works well on a budget thanks to free levada walks, buses and cheap local food. A realistic minimum is about €80 per person a day: €35 for a bed, €20 for food, €10 for sights and €15 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €80 | €250 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €40 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €35 | €80 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €80 | €180 | €450 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Madeira day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the old town (Zona Velha) of Funchal and its painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria.
- The Mercado dos Lavradores market hall and fish market.
- Levada walks near Funchal, such as the Levada dos Tornos sections.
- The Cabo Girão skywalk, a glass platform over one of Europe's highest sea cliffs (free entry).
- Swimming at the black-sand beach and natural rock pools of Seixal on the north coast.
- Sunrise from Pico do Arieiro, reached by car.
Cheap eats
- Bolo do caco with garlic butter: €3–5.
- Prato do dia at a local café: about €8–12.
- Prego (steak sandwich) in bolo do caco: about €5–8.
- Poncha, the local rum drink: €2.50–4.
- Black scabbard fish with banana in a simple restaurant: about €12–16.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Funchal centre, with guesthouses and apartments from about €60–110 a double and a few hostels cheaper, close to buses that reach most of the island.
Getting around cheaply
Use the yellow city buses in Funchal and the regional buses to towns. From the airport, the Aerobus or SAM buses to Funchal are much cheaper than a taxi (about 20–25 minutes). For trailheads and the north coast, share a rental car for a day or two.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Mercado dos Lavradores and the old town (free), with a bica and pastry (about €3).
- Late morning: bus to Monte and walk back down (about €5).
- Lunch: prato do dia (about €10).
- Afternoon: levada walk near Funchal (free) and Cabo Girão skywalk by bus (about €5).
- Evening: bolo do caco and poncha (about €8). Total: about €80 including a €35 bed share.
More ways to save
- Bring your own walking gear; tours often rent it at extra cost.
- Choose apartments with kitchens and shop at Pingo Doce or Continente supermarkets.
- Travel in November or February for lower rates and still-mild 19–21°C weather.
- Swim at free natural pools and beaches rather than hotel lidos.
- Check bus timetables for early trailhead access instead of taxis.
- Skip the Monte toboggan or share it, since it is priced for two.
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Common questions
Can you visit Madeira on a budget?
Yes, with about €80 a day: stay in Funchal, use buses, walk the free levadas and eat the prato do dia.
Do I need a car in Madeira?
Not for Funchal, but it helps for early trailheads and the north coast. Many visitors rent for one or two days only.
How do I get from Madeira airport to Funchal cheaply?
Take the airport bus to Funchal, much cheaper than a taxi, taking about 20–25 minutes by road.