Madeira Bus & Touring Map

When planning my walking holiday to Madeira, for which I would not use a hire car, I bought the Waterproof "Super-Durable" Tour & Trail Map, the paper version of that map, Volume 1 of the Tour & Trail book as well as this map. With the benefit of hindsight I should have bought this map instead of the paper version of the map. Note that this "Bus & Touring Map" is 1:60,000 (to allow box panel info on bus routes and an excellently detailed map of the Funchal municipality) rather than the 1:40,000 scale of the paper or waterproof Tour & Trail maps (which have half the island on each side). As the paper and waterproof versions of the Tour & Trail maps are exactly the same (except for the paper stock it's printed on), this is the map to buy in addition to the waterproof version. The bus system on Madeira is far more difficult to navigate (especially on very rural routes), but this map can help to make sense of it all - though I still recommend asking locals and checking route progress with GoogleMaps on your phone to make sure you get where you want to be.

I recently use this map on a walking holiday based in Funchal where we used buses a lot. It packs a lot of data into a small package and is generally accurate and very good value . I found it very useful in planning walks but it needs to be used with up to date timetables generally available on the online bus websites quoted. The bus stop locations in Funchal are especially useful. If you are walking in the country a good walks guide is also essential and some contain similar information. .However to be nit-picking there are one or two imperfections e.g the route description for bus 22 suggests a walk to Romeiros but this has been closed since 2011 after a major forest fire. The key does not include all the symbols used (e.g the white and black trails such as the coast path from Camara de Lobos into Funchal) . The map of Funchal is simplified for space reasons and you will also need the more detailed town maps available free from the tourist officeOn balance I think it deserves 4 stars because it is very good but it could be improved further.

The idea is good, the presentation and the format are good but they are using out of date information. [The urban bus company is now called "Horários do Funchal" (Funchal time-tables - what an amazing title - NOT!!] This publisher is also using sub-standard materials (ie paper) which self-destruct. I am presently trying to repair the map for the 2nd time before our next holiday to Madeira in a month's time.

Useful map for touring by car. We didn't actually use it for bus travel but it would probably be fine for that as the bus stops we passed seemed to confirm its accuracy. Just don't expect it to be of Ordnance Survey standard and you won't be disappointed!

As a map it is useful (and cheaper than buying one in Madeira), although the large scale map of Funchal does not give topography, so difficult to judge height and distance. As a bus map it confused even the locals!

This appears very flimsy and not very clear but I found it more useful than the Biaritz map I also bought. It has lots of useful tourist info, like cafes/bars and viewpoints as well as a huge number of walks marked on it. The road information is not quite up to date (hardly surprising since they seem to be continually upgrading/building new ones). Contrary to other reports I found the Madeiran drivers friendly and polite and driving was not a problem, but the busses are regular and get into even the most unlikely places - and this map will helpm you find the right one if you need them.

Really useful, accurate, bus and travel map, includes contours so you can get a good sense of geography as well as road and bus routes. Great for our recent visit to the Island. Accurate and useful information on buses, routes and where to get tickets. Funchal city map on reverse was useful too.If you are updating it please consider using laminated/ tough paper as with some walking maps - the only improvement would be for it to be slightly more durable.

Used to plan our trip,and good for bus routes when there, though not so good for car touring.