The company ‘Horários do Funchal’ is starting a new bus route between downtown Funchal and Pico do Areeiro this Monday. This is an alternative way of accessing one of the most interesting tourist spots in Madeira, as there have been frequent traffic jams on the road and in the parking lots in that area, due to the high influx of rental vehicles.
The new service will operate every day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with the exception of Christmas Day. The bus, which seats 31 people, departs at 6:00 am and 1:30 pm from the stop next to Praça da Autonomia. The journey to Pico do Areeiro takes approximately 45 minutes. The return trips to Funchal take place at 12:15 pm and 7:00 pm. The ticket costs 3 euros per journey and can only be purchased on board. No other type of ticket is accepted for this service. Children under 5 years old go free.
It is possible to make a seat reservation between seven and two working days before the date of travel, only by calling 291 705 555 (cost of a call to a national landline), from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (except on public holidays). Passengers with a seat reservation must be present at the boarding point at least 15 minutes before departure. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in no guaranteed travel.
Also on Monday, a shuttle bus service will start between the Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António and Pico do Areeiro. These connecting trips take place every 15 minutes, between 6:40 am and 12:15 pm and 2:10 pm and 7:00 pm. The ticket costs 1.20 euros and must be purchased on board. The journey must start with at least four passengers.