Buggy tours in Madeira: where to go and what you need
A buggy tour lasts two and a half to three hours, and you drive the buggy yourself on forest and mountain tracks behind a guide. It costs around €135 per two-seat buggy, about €67.50 each for two. You need a valid driving licence.
The short version
A buggy tour is three hours of driving yourself through mud, dust and forest tracks, with a few viewpoints in between. It is about the drive, not the sightseeing. If you want to see the island, book a jeep tour instead.
- Duration
- 2.5 to 3 hours
- Price
- About €135 to €150 per buggy, two seats
- Licence
- Required for the driver
- Children
- As passengers, from 6 or 7
Why I wrote this without doing one
I am Madeiran, but I have never done a buggy tour, and neither has my family. This page puts together what the operators publish on their own websites, what they ask of you and the hills where the buggies go. When I do one, I will add what I thought of it here.
Buggy tours compared
Only operators with a price on their own website are in the table.
| Operator | Duration | Price | Licence and ages | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira Radical | 3 h on mountain tracks | €135 per buggy; €150 with pickup in Funchal | Licence required; children from 7 | Guide, windbreaker, goggles |
Price: Madeira Radical: buggy tour, checked 22 October 2026.
Two other operators publish details but no price. Buggy FunTrip starts from Campanário, west of Funchal: about 2.5 hours, two- or four-seat buggies, free pickup between Funchal and Campanário, and insurance included. It asks for a valid EU category B driving licence and takes children from 6 years or 1 m tall. Trail4fun uses fully electric buggies and names its routes: Dust and Mud, which ends at the Funduras viewpoint; Central View, a longer circuit; Aurora, a short sunrise tour.
Sources: Buggy FunTrip Madeira and Trail4fun, checked 22 October 2026.
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Where do buggy tours go?
Most of the tours we found run in the hills east of Funchal. A few start further west or out at the eastern tip.
- Most tours
Portela, Funduras and Santo da Serra
Forest roads through the Funduras forest and up to viewpoints such as Pico do Furado and Portela, between Machico, Porto da Cruz and Santo da Serra. The closest area to Caniço, Machico and the airport.
- West of Funchal
Campanário
Buggy FunTrip’s base, closer to Ribeira Brava and the south-west coast, with free pickup from Funchal.
- The eastern tip
Caniçal and Fajã dos Rolos
Some tours start near Caniçal, on the way to Ponta de São Lourenço.
- The other island
Porto Santo
The neighbouring island also has buggy tours, if you are spending a few days there.
Do you need a driving licence?
Yes. Every operator we found asks the driver for a valid driving licence. Buggy FunTrip asks for a valid EU category B driving licence and an ID card or passport. If your licence is from the UK, the US or anywhere else outside the EU, ask the operator before you book.
No operator we found publishes a minimum age for the driver. Passengers can be as young as 6 or 7. A reseller listing for one tour does not recommend it to pregnant women, people with reduced mobility or anyone over 68.
Per buggy or per person?
Buggy prices are usually for the whole buggy, with two seats. At €135, that is €67.50 each for a couple. Ride alone and you pay for the whole buggy. Some resellers show the price per person instead, so check which one you are looking at.
What to wear and bring
Clothes you do not mind ruining: the tracks are muddy after rain and dusty in summer. Bring a change of clothes; Buggy FunTrip says so on its website and has somewhere to change. Wear closed shoes, and do not forget your driving licence and ID, because you will not drive without them. Goggles and a windbreaker or overalls are usually included.
What if it rains?
Rain does not stop most buggy tours; it just means more mud. One operator says it runs in all weather and only cancels for serious weather warnings. Ask what happens to your booking if a warning is issued.
Buggy or jeep?
If you have one day and want to see the island, take the jeep. If you have a free morning and want to drive something you cannot drive at home, take the buggy. Both suit couples and younger travellers looking for something more active than a coach tour.
| Buggy | Jeep | |
|---|---|---|
| Who drives | You | A guide |
| How long | 2.5 to 3 hours | A full day, or a 3-hour half day |
| What it is about | Driving, mud and adrenaline | The island, viewpoints and some dirt track |
| Price per person | About €67.50 (two per buggy) | About €65, shared |
| Driving licence | Required | Not needed |
Questions about buggy tours in Madeira
How much is a buggy tour in Madeira?
About €135 per two-seat buggy for 3 hours at Madeira Radical, or €150 with pickup in Funchal (22 October 2026). That is roughly €67.50 per person for two.
Do I need a licence to drive a buggy in Madeira?
Yes. The driver needs a valid driving licence. Buggy FunTrip asks for a valid EU category B driving licence, so check with the operator before you book if yours is from outside the EU.
Can children go on a buggy tour?
As passengers, from 6 or 7 years old depending on the operator. They cannot drive.
Will I get dirty on a buggy tour?
Probably. The tracks are muddy after rain and dusty when dry. Operators provide goggles and a windbreaker or overalls, and some have a place to change.
Are there quad bike tours in Madeira?
We found far fewer quad tours than buggy tours. A buggy seats two side by side, so you can share the drive.
Fit a buggy morning into your trip
Compare it with a full-day jeep tour, or stay close to the eastern hills in Caniço. Tell us how long you have and we will put it on the right day. A personal plan from our family is €149 for up to 5 days (€199 for 6 to 8), ready in 48 hours.