{"id":667,"slug":"public-transport-card-madeira","title":"Public Transport Card Madeira: How to Use Buses and Save on Fares","excerpt":"Public transport card Madeira: GIRO card fares, passes, and how to ride buses.\n","content":"Madeira's buses are cheap, scenic, and reach most of the island, but paying cash onboard overpays every ride. The public transport card Madeira uses, called the GIRO card, cuts fares by up to 30 percent and, since 2026, works on every bus across the island. This guide covers what it is, what it costs, where to buy it, and how to save.\n \n## How does the Madeira bus card work?\n>The GIRO card is a rechargeable contactless card for Madeira's unified SIGA network. You buy it for 50 cents, top up with credit or a pass, and tap on boarding. A single fare drops from about 2 euros cash to 1.35, and day passes save more if you ride often.\n \n## What Is the GIRO Card?\nSince 2026, Madeira's buses run under one system called SIGA, and the GIRO card is your single ticket for all of them. Before, four companies used separate tickets; now one card taps you onto any bus, urban or intercity. There are two versions: a paper GIRO ticket for 50 cents, fine for short stays, and a reusable plastic pass for 5 euros if you return often. Both are contactless, so you just tap when you board.\n \n## Fares and Passes\nCash onboard costs about 2 euros a ride, while a pre-loaded single on the GIRO card is just 1.35, children 70 cents. Ride a lot and passes save more. Urban Funchal day passes run 4.50 euros for one day, 11.50 for three, 16.50 for five, and 21.50 for seven. For unlimited island-wide travel including intercity routes, the GIRO 24 pass costs 12.50 euros over 24 hours. A handy trick: load around 20 euros of credit, enough for most visitors for a week. Cheap buses are one reason [Madeira is not expensive to visit](https://madeiracitypass.tripnly.com/blog/is-madeira-expensive-to-visit/).\n \n## Where to Buy and How to Use It\nPick up a GIRO card at SIGA and Horários do Funchal offices, including the main one on Avenida do Mar near the cable car, at newsagents showing the GIRO logo, at kiosks, and at the airport information desk. Tap your card on the validator as you board, and again if you change buses. Download the Madeira Bus app for routes and times; it works offline when signal is patchy. Staying central, as our [where to stay in Madeira](https://madeiracitypass.tripnly.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-madeira/) guide suggests, puts you on the most frequent routes.\n \n## Getting Around by Bus\nFunchal's urban buses run every 15 to 30 minutes and reach most sights, so a card pays off quickly for city stays and the [best things to do in Funchal](https://madeiracitypass.tripnly.com/blog/best-things-to-do-in-funchal/). Rural routes are cheaper but far less frequent, often one or two buses an hour up north, with fewer at weekends. To chase levadas, viewpoints, and remote villages on your own schedule, weigh the bus against our [Madeira car rental tips](https://madeiracitypass.tripnly.com/blog/madeira-car-rental-tips/), since a car saves hours of waiting on quiet routes.\n \n## People Also Ask About Madeira's Bus Card\n### How much does the GIRO card cost?\nThe card is 50 cents for the paper version or 5 euros for the reusable plastic pass. You then add credit or a pass, with singles from 1.35 euros and a 24-hour island pass at 12.50.\n \n### Can I use one card for all Madeira buses?\nYes. Since 2026, the SIGA network unified every operator, so one GIRO card works on urban and intercity buses across the island. No more separate tickets for different companies.\n \n### Where do I buy a GIRO card?\nAt SIGA and Horários do Funchal offices, newsagents with the GIRO logo, kiosks, shopping centres, and the airport information desk. Vending machines at key stops also sell and top up cards.\n \n### Is the bus cheaper than a car in Madeira?\nFor Funchal and nearby towns, yes, buses are very cheap. For remote hikes and the north coast, a car often wins on time, as rural buses are infrequent.\n \n### Does the GIRO card cover the cable car?\nNo. The Funchal cable car to Monte is run separately and needs its own ticket. The GIRO card covers only SIGA buses, though buses 20 and 21 reach Monte.\n \n## Riding Madeira the Smart Way\nWith the public transport card Madeira relies on, getting around is simple and cheap: buy a GIRO card, load credit or a pass, and tap on. Use it for Funchal and easy day trips, and consider a car only for the island's quieter corners. A little planning turns Madeira's buses into a scenic, budget-friendly way to explore.","author":"Yağmur Dudu","authorInfo":{"name":"Yağmur Dudu","bio":"Tripnly Global Ambassador · Travel Writer","avatarUrl":"https://ethical-car-b690d7e735.media.strapiapp.com/Yagmur_Dudu_rounded_b0517b520f.png","role":"","socials":{"twitter":"","x":"","instagram":"https://www.instagram.com/yagmurdudu/","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ya%C4%9Fmurdudu/"}},"date":"2026-08-06T09:04:18.570Z","category":"Local Guides","imageUrl":"https://ethical-car-b690d7e735.media.strapiapp.com/Strapi_Article_Cover_Photo_70_5adb5e7b7a.png","imageCaption":"","readTime":6,"views":0,"isPopular":false}