Getting to Madeira
The easiest and unless you are a very good swimmer or own a yacht the only way to get to Madeira is by air. Funchal airport (FNC) offers direct flights to various destinations in Europe and is connected to the rest of the world via daily flights to Lisbon, Porto and London operated by TAP Portugal and the Star Alliance Network of airlines.
We have arranged for a special discount for ACE 2014 participants on Star Alliance flights to and from Funchal for travel between November 4 and November 21, 2014. To take advantage of these rates you must book your flight via our travel partners (Intertours).
Those of you who attended ACE 2013 may remember the group flight idea we floated during the closing session. We are working to turn the idea into reality by getting as many participants as possible onboard TAP Portugal Flight No. TP 1689 Departing Lisbon at 16:10 on 10/11/2014 so that we may all fly together and have some fun along the way. Whether you book your flight via Intertours or via another agent or web site please try book your seat on the ACE flight.
For those facing a long flight or a long wait at Lisbon airport we have arranged for a special rate at the Tryp hotel in Lisbon airport in case you wish to spend the night in comfort in between flights. This option can also be booked via the registration form. A special dinner is in the making for those opting to stay the night in Lisbon before embarking on the flight to Funchal.
To book your flight send an email with your itinerary (Departure and arrival dates and the city you will be departing from) to Cristina Sousa at: cristina.sousa@intertours.com.pt
Getting from the Airport to the Hotel
We will have a bus waiting at the airport for all those aboard the ACE flight (TAP Portugal Flight No. TP 1689 Departing Lisbon at 16:10 and arriving at 17:55 on 10/11/2014). If you arrive at other times you need to arrange for your own transportation to the hotel.
The AeroBus offers a convenient and cheap service to the main hotels in Funchal (including the VidaMar Resort). The cost is 5 Euros for a one way ticket and 8 Euros for a return ticket. For time tables and stops see the AeroBus web site (for the VidaMar get off at Stop 12). Please note that on the AeroBus web site the hotel is listed by its previous name (CS Madeira) and not as the VidaMar. The bus driver usually asks passengers for the name of their hotel, announces the stops and points out relevant hotels.
The Average cost of a taxi from the airport to downtown Funchal is about 25-30 Euros. An additional charge of 20% will be added between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and throughout the day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. A charge of 1.5 Euros is typically applied for luggage.
Visa Information
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal and thus governed by Portuguese law and entry requirements.
Citizens of the European Union, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Romania and Switzerland need only an identity card to enter Portugal.
For visits of less than 90 days, a passport valid for at least three months after the end of their stay is necessary for visitors from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong and Macao and Taiwan territorial Authority.
Citizens from countries not mentioned above need a visa to enter Portugal, which may be requested at the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate of their country for stays of up to 90 days.
Under the terms of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement, flights between Schengen states are considered to be internal flights and passengers do not need to obtain another visa.
Further Information
For further information about Madeira visit the official tourism Madeira web site at: http://www.visitmadeira.pt/
