- Runs daily 8:45–17:45 (except 25 December). It has been running again since the beginning of April 2026, after refurbishment.
- Ticket: €16 one way, €22 return. Children aged 7–14 pay half, under-6s ride free. A cabin with a glass floor costs €10 more.
- The ride takes 18 minutes on average and the route is 3.2 km long. The bottom station is on Rua Dom Carlos I in the Zona Velha, the top station at Largo das Babosas in Monte.
- E-tickets are valid for 60 days. You can take a dog outside peak hours, with the staff’s permission.
- In Monte you’ll find Monte Palace, the church with the tomb of Emperor Charles I, the toboggans down to Livramento and a second cable car to the Botanical Garden.
The cable car from Funchal up to Monte started running again at the beginning of April after a technical break (DNoticias, 31 March 2026). Visitors who came to Madeira earlier had to go without. But the operator came back with a surprise: five new cabins with a glass floor, the only ones of their kind in Portugal.
Funchal–Monte cable car tickets: compare tickets and tours that include the cable car ride on GetYourGuide.
New: the glass floor
Five new gondolas have glass bottoms. For the whole ride of about 18 minutes you can see the rooftops of Funchal under your feet, and then the green of the slopes falling away. A thrill for some, a test of nerves for others.
The glass cabin is an extra, paid for separately – +€10 per person, subject to availability.
The wicker toboggan ride from Monte: compare tours with the cable car up to Monte and the toboggan ride down on GetYourGuide.
Prices and opening hours
| Adults | Children 7–14 | |
|---|---|---|
| One way | €16 | €8 |
| Return | €22 | €11 |
| Glass floor NEW | +€10 | — |
Online tickets: madeiracablecar.com – valid for 60 days from purchase.
Bottom station: Rua Dom Carlos I, Funchal | Top station: Largo das Babosas 8, Monte.
1: On the Funchal cable car with a dog, photo: Ewelina Podrez-Siama, March 2025, 2: The cable car up to Monte, photo: Ewelina Podrez-Siama, March 2025, 3: A cable car cabin at the top station in Monte, February 2025, photo: Anita and Andrzej Podrez, 4: Monte toboggans, photo: Ewelina Podrez-Siama 2026
What to see in Monte
The ride up is just the start: Monte deserves more of your time than a quick look from a viewpoint.
🌿 Monte Palace Tropical Garden
A 70,000 m² garden with a collection of exotic plants from all over the world, a mineral gallery and some of the most beautiful azulejo panels on the island. Definitely worth the entry fee – more in my separate guide to Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
⛪ Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte
The church with the tomb of Charles I of Habsburg, the last emperor of Austria-Hungary, who was sent into exile in Madeira and died here in 1922. The most important place of pilgrimage on the island.
🛷 Carros de cesto – the traditional toboggans
The traditional ride down in wicker sledges from Monte to the Livramento district – about 2 km. Two carreiros dressed in white push and steer the sledge, braking with the thick soles of their boots. Atmospheric, a one-off and very commercial – fun to tick off, but there’s no point doing it twice. More in my guide to things to do in Funchal.
From Monte you can go back down by cable car, ride the carros de cesto or walk down to the centre – the walk down takes about 30–40 minutes through steep streets.
Read nextFunchal Botanical GardenYou can get there from Monte on the second cable car. Tickets, opening hours and the combined ticket.
Funchal to Monte cable car – FAQ
Is the Funchal to Monte cable car running?
Yes – the Teleférico do Funchal has been running since the beginning of April 2026 after a break for refurbishment. It runs daily from 8:45 to 17:45, except on Christmas Day. Before you go, it’s worth checking the current status on madeiracablecar.com – the cable car has occasionally closed without prior notice.
How much does the Monte cable car cost?
A one-way ticket costs €16 for adults, a return €22. The glass-floor option is a +€10 supplement. Children under 6 ride free, those aged 7–14 pay half.
How long does the cable car from Funchal to Monte take?
The ride takes 18 minutes on average and the route is 3.2 km long. The operator lists 39 seven-seater cabins; after the upgrade there are to be 44, including 5 with a glass floor.
How do I buy a ticket for the Teleférico?
Tickets are available online at tickets.madeiracablecar.com (valid for 60 days from purchase) or at the ticket office at the bottom station on Rua Dom Carlos I in Funchal. There are also ticket offices in Monte, at the top station.
Can I take a dog on the Funchal to Monte cable car?
Yes, I’ve ridden it with my dog myself. The operator allows animals, but two conditions apply: the trip must be outside peak hours, and you need the station staff’s permission every time. The rule is simple – the dog must not bother other passengers. In practice it’s best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon and let the staff know when you board.
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