Long, long awaited good news for Madeira tourists who rely on public transport – but not only. On August 5, 2024, the operator Horarios do Funchal launched two new routes to the top of Pico do Areeiro. Here’s what you need to know about using them.
Two new bus lines to Pico do Areeiro
Pico do Areeiro is a magical place that attracts many tourists, especially during sunrise and sunset. This is also where one of the most beautiful mountain hikes in Madeira begins – PR1. If you don’t know the beauty of this place yet, see related posts:
Romantic photoshoot on top of Pico do Arieiro
The popularity of this place unfortunately causes problems with crowds and parking. In order to improve the accessibility of this attraction and reduce the current traffic congestion, two new public transport routes were launched in Madeira yesterday (5 August 2024). The first is aimed at tourists who rely on public transport, the second – at tourists traveling by car.
Route 1: Funchal city center > Pico do Areeiro
The first route connected the center of Funchal and the summit of Pico do Areeiro. The ticket costs €3 per passenger and can be purchased from the driver. No other tickets are accepted on this route.
During the summer, departures from the center are scheduled at 6:00 and 13:30, with arrivals at Pico do Areeiro at 6:45 and 14:15. Return departures from Pico do Areeiro are scheduled at 12:15 and 19:00, with arrivals in the centre of Funchal expected at 13:00 and 19:45.
The departure bus stop in Funchal is: Praça da Autonomia – paragem R 31 Janeiro S (9)
Then the bus will head towards Pico do Areeiro, stopping at Jardim Santa Luzia and Monte along the way. Check this official link for more information.
Interestingly, the carrier also promises the possibility of reserving seats. Reservations can be made 7 to 2 business days before the date of travel only by phone at: 291 705 555 (cost of a call to the national landline network), from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 and on Fridays from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00 (except for public holidays). Reservations are only possible at the departure stops (Praça da Autonomia and Pico do Areeiro).
Route 2: Shuttle bus parking > Pico do Areeiro
The buses on the second route will operate in as shuttle busses. The buses will travel along the ER 202 road, between the intersection with Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António and the roundabout next to the radar on the summit of Pico do Areeiro, stopping at the Pico do Areeiro car park along the way.
During the summer, this route will operate from 6:40 to 12:15 and from 14:10 to 19:45. The shuttle buses on this route will run every 15 minutes, or, as the operator informs – with at least four passengers on board.
Ticket price: €1.20 per journey, purchased on board only. No other types of tickets are accepted for this service. Babies and children up to and including 5 years of age are exempt from having to buy a ticket.
Sunrise on Pico with a bus? Yes!
As promised by the carrier Horarios do Funchal, the schedule will be adjusted to the summer and winter seasons, in order to ensure arrival before sunrise – the time that tourists care about the most.
The service will be available every day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, except for December 25 and in cases where weather conditions do not allow it or in the event of closure of the access road.
Is there also a public bus to Pico Ruivo?
Most tourists are happy about the connection to Pico do Areeiro, but wonder whether there will also be a connection to Achada do Teixeira, close to Pico Ruivo. All in all, this is where PR1 hike ends, and it would be convenient to be picked up there after the PR1 hike. At the moment of writing this post, there are no buses to and from Pico Ruivo.
Do you want to do the PR1 hike just one way? Check out this company offering convenient hike transfers to/from both the starting and ending point of PR1.
Have you used these two bus lines in Madeira? What are your impressions?