Funchal cable car and Monte toboggan: prices, hours and tips

The Funchal cable car to Monte

The cable car leaves from the seafront at the edge of the old town (Zona Velha) and climbs to Monte in about 15 minutes, gliding over the city's rooftops, gardens and terraces with the bay behind you. In 2026 a ticket costs €16 one way and €22 return; children aged 0 to 6 ride free and those aged 7 to 14 pay half price.

It runs every day from 8:45 to 17:45 except on 25 December. Queues build up from mid-morning, especially when cruise ships are in port, so go early or buy an e-ticket on the operator's website to board directly. If you plan to come down by toboggan, buy a one-way ticket.

The Monte toboggan ride (carros de cesto)

The carros de cesto, wicker sledges on wooden runners, have carried people down from Monte since the 19th century, when they were the fastest way into town. Two carreiros dressed in white with straw hats run alongside and steer each sledge with their rubber-soled boots for about 2 km down the steep streets to Livramento, in roughly 10 minutes.

The ride starts just below the church of Nossa Senhora do Monte. Prices rose in 2026: expect about €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three per sledge, paid at the start (bring cash just in case). It runs Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00, with the last departure around 17:45, and is closed on Sundays, 14–15 August, 25 December, 1 January, Good Friday and Easter. Photographers along the route sell pictures at the end; buying them is optional.

Getting back from Livramento

The toboggan stops at Livramento, still well above the centre of Funchal. From there you can take a taxi waiting at the end of the ride, catch a city bus to the centre or walk down, which takes about 30 minutes on steep streets. Many Funchal tuk-tuk tours include the toboggan and the transfer back, which saves you the logistics.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the church

A few minutes from the cable car station, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden mixes exotic plants, lakes with koi, oriental gardens and large tile panels, plus a museum of minerals and African sculpture. Entry costs €18 for adults and is free for under-14s with an adult; it is open from 9:00 to 19:00 from April to September and until 18:00 from October to March. Allow at least an hour and a half.

Above the toboggan start, the church of Nossa Senhora do Monte holds the tomb of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria, who died in exile in Madeira in 1922. The view from its steps over Funchal is free.

The Botanical Garden cable car

A second cable car links Monte with the Madeira Botanical Garden in about 9 minutes, crossing the deep valley of the João Gomes stream. It costs €11 one way or €16 return, or €19 and €24 including entry to the garden, with half price for children aged 7 to 14 and a 10% discount online. It runs every day from 9:00 to 17:00 (last boarding 16:50), closed on 25 December.

The Botanical Garden itself costs €10 for visitors over 12 (€3 for ages 6 to 12) and opens daily from 9:00 to 18:00. From the garden, a bus or taxi takes you back down to the centre of Funchal.

A half-day plan for Monte

Start early with a one-way cable car ride up (€16), visit Monte Palace (€18) and the church, then take the toboggan down to Livramento (about €30 per person, less when shared) and a taxi or bus back to town: about four hours and €65–70 per person. If you prefer gardens to sledges, continue instead on the Botanical Garden cable car. With children, both options work well; see Madeira with kids for more ideas.