The run west to Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol sits on the south-west coast, in the sunniest, most sheltered part of the island — the south side is reliably the drier one, with the north and the highlands taking the weather especially between October and March. From the airport at the eastern end, the drive is 42 km and about 37 minutes on third-party measurements, nearly all of it on the fast road.
This is the quietest of our three Madeira transfer routes as a search: the queries around Ponta do Sol are about restaurants, weather and things to do rather than about getting there, and what confirms the route as real demand is that the aggregators price it. In other words, people come here — they just do not research the drive. The valley road down into the town is the part worth having a local driver for.
What it costs
Published private rates run about €43 to €55 across the smaller vehicle tiers, and third-party aggregators quote the route at roughly €40 to €60. Treat both as planning figures rather than quotes — the aggregator numbers in particular come from booking platforms rather than the company that will actually drive you, so we confirm the real fare for your date. You buy the vehicle rather than the seat: sedan for 1 to 3 passengers, van for 4 to 6, minibus for 7 to 8, with larger minibuses available.
Child seats and delays
Baby and child seats are free on request from the transfer companies working here, fitted before your flight lands — so ages and weights need to come with the booking. Inbound flights are tracked; send your flight number and the company watches it rather than waiting on a fixed time. Free cancellation up to about 24 hours ahead is the local norm.
Licensed local companies
Two established transfer and chauffeur businesses cover this island, and Portuguese tourist-activity companies hold an RNAAT registration that Madeira has been actively enforcing. We do not own vehicles or employ drivers — we take your flight details to a licensed company, confirm the booking directly and stay reachable if the plan changes.
Once you are here
Ponta do Sol is a good base for the western half of the island: the west Madeira island tour, the Madeira jeep tour and the guided 25 Fontes walk are all close, and the boats at Calheta are a short drive along the coast. A private chef handles the evening. Everything on the island sits on the Madeira destination page, and transfers elsewhere on the airport transfers page.
Request availability with your flight number, party size and the ages of any children — we come back with a real quote from a licensed driver, and nothing is booked until you confirm.