Bus route 181 — Curral das Freiras
Formerly route 81 · Operator: Horários do Funchal
Route 181 winds out of Funchal to the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, perched about 800 m above the valley, and on to Curral das Freiras — the “Nun’s Valley” village famous for its chestnut cake. A classic short day trip by public bus.
At a glance
- Fare (full route)
- €2,00 GIRO€2,65 on board
- Stops
- 35 + 39 by direction
- Operator
- Horários do Funchal
Shorter trips within one municipality cost less. Official 2026 tariff (Portaria n.º 128/2026).
Bus Schedule
Before you rely on a timetable
Madeira’s bus times and stop information can be difficult to interpret and may change. Keeping this guide current is ongoing work, and errors are possible. Always check the latest SIGA timetable and confirm the departure and boarding place with local staff or the driver before relying on a journey — especially for the last bus or a tight connection.
Tourist Highlights
Stops listed by direction, as published by SIGA. Bus stops are paired with opposite-side stops on the return direction.
Direction 1 → Teleférico-Término (35)
Direction 2 → Teleférico-Término (39)
Places you can reach from this route
Each guide is labelled as a direct stop, a selected-trip stop, nearby only or an onward connection.
Connects with these routes
Other lines calling at stops this route also serves — useful for changing buses.
Quick answers
Where does bus 181 go?
Route 181 runs between Depois da Estrela and Teleférico-Término. Along the way it serves Eira do Serrado, Curral das Freiras.
How much does bus 181 cost?
The full route costs €2,00 with a pre-purchased GIRO ticket, or €2,65 paid on board (official 2026 tariff). Shorter trips within one municipality cost less. GIRO card & fares guide
Where can I check the official bus 181 timetable?
SIGA, the regional transport authority, publishes the official timetable — use the timetable links on this page. The Madeira Bus app also stores full timetables offline.
Plan the rest of your trip
Get departure times
The Madeira Bus app pairs free offline schedules with a premium route map — available for iOS and Android.