Traffic in Funchal

In 2024, Funchal's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant portion of the population opting for walking as their primary mode of transport.

The city's traffic inefficiency and CO2 emissions indexes highlight areas for potential improvement in sustainable transportation solutions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Funchal is approximately 19 minutes, covering a distance of 11.125 km.

  • Car - For those commuting by car, the average driving time is about 14.33 minutes over a distance of 14 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend around 25 minutes on their journey, typically covering 2.5 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
75%
Walking
25%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 4 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
6.9 miles
Walking
7.0 mins
Driving Car
12.0 mins
Total:
19.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
8.7 miles
Walking
1.0 mins
Driving Car
14.3 mins
Total:
15.3 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.6 miles
Walking
25.0 mins
Driving Car
5.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists flock to Funchal, leading to longer commute times.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic congestion, offering smoother travel experiences.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options force many residents to rely on cars, increasing traffic congestion.

Parking shortages in the city center add to commuter frustration.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 8 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are ideal for avoiding peak traffic.

Midday travel is generally smoother due to reduced congestion.

Event Impacts

Public events such as the Funchal Carnival and New Year's Eve celebrations significantly impact traffic, causing road closures and diversions.

Residents are advised to plan ahead and use public transport during major events.

Sustainability Efforts

Funchal is investing in expanding its pedestrian zones to encourage walking and reduce car usage.

The city is exploring electric bus options to lower public transport emissions.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering a flexible alternative to car ownership.

These services help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, potentially easing traffic congestion.

Worldwide
Portugal

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Portugal combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Portugal, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025