€2–€3 gets you into Funchal on SAM Linha Regular
This is the standard SAM public bus from Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (T1) into Funchal and other towns, not the Aerobus. Fares usually sit in the €2–€3 range depending on distance, paid in cash to the driver or at a kiosk. You ride with airport staff and locals heading along the main road, with stops right outside the terminal building.
Services run on fixed timetables tied to specific route numbers like 113 and 53, with frequencies that can stretch to 60 minutes outside peak periods. The stop for SAM Linha Regular sits a short walk from arrivals at T1, signed the same way as the Aerobus stop but using different route boards. Check the exact line and time on the printed timetable at the stop before you get on.
Compared with the Aerobus flat fare (typically around €5–€6 into Funchal), SAM’s regular lines cut the price roughly in half. The trade‑off is extra time: expect 45–60 minutes into central Funchal versus roughly 30–40 minutes on the Aerobus. Buses follow local routes with multiple intermediate stops in villages and along the main coastal road.
These are standard city buses with front‑door boarding, a ticket machine or driver, and basic fabric seats in a 2+2 layout, usually without dedicated luggage racks. If you board with a 20 kg suitcase and a cabin bag, you’re probably stacking one in front of your knees for the 45+ minute ride. Space tightens fast once a dozen people board at the airport and local stops.
SAM Linha Regular also runs beyond Funchal to places like Machico and Caniço, with route numbers and destination boards displayed at the front of each bus. A line marked “Funchal” might still run via outlying areas first, adding 10–20 minutes compared with a more direct service. Always confirm the endpoint and major intermediate stops with the driver before paying your fare.
Practical tip: Screenshot the current SAM timetable and route map before you land so if airport Wi‑Fi stalls, you can still match bus numbers at the T1 stop and avoid guessing between 2–3 similar‑looking lines.