Porto Santo Airport serves the eponymous island of the Madeira archipelago, famous for the region's only golden sand beach, approximately 9 km long.
Located only approximately 3 km from Vila Baleira town center, the island's capital.
How to get to Porto Santo Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to PXO
Parking near Porto Santo Airport
A small parking area is located in front of the terminal.
Rates are in line with standards of an island destination.
How to get to Vila Baleira from PXO
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Porto Santo Airport
Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the island.
EU citizens need only their national driving license, plus passport and credit card.
Hotels near Porto Santo Airport
Vila Baleira
The airport is about 2 km from the centre: the official Aitram taxi costs 6-8 euros and takes about 5 minutes (fares increased by 20% at night and on weekends); the SIGA public bus links the airport and the centre with only a few runs a day, not suited to those arriving with luggage or outside its hours.
Best for: Those who want the centre of the island's only town just steps from the airport, with restaurants, the Casa Museu Colombo and the beach within walking distance.
- Airport 5 minutes away by taxi, handy for those arriving late or leaving early
- Restaurants, shops and Vila Baleira's golden beach within walking distance of the centre
- Casa Museu Colombo, in the house where tradition holds that Christopher Columbus lived after marrying Filipa Moniz, a few minutes on foot
- No train or frequent bus to and from the airport: outside SIGA's hours only the taxi remains
- Outside Vila Baleira, the rest of the island can only be visited by car, scooter or taxi
Recommended hotels
- 16 Porto Santo Apartments About 12 sqm studio roughly 100 metres from the centre of Vila Baleira, among the most central options on the island for those who want to get around on foot. View availability
- Angela Beach Place 150 sqm apartment with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, about 300 metres from the centre of Vila Baleira: rare space for families or small groups within walking distance of the centre. View availability
- Apartamento da Vila by an island apart Apartment with 2 bedrooms a few steps from the Casa Museu Colombo and Vila Baleira's beach; Portela and Porto Santo Golfe are within 5 km. View availability
- Abrigo das Matas House about 12 minutes on foot from Vila Baleira's beach and about 3 km from Quinta das Palmeiras, the botanical garden with a mini zoo west of the airport. View availability
Campo de Baixo
About 3 km from Vila Baleira and a transfer estimated at under 10 minutes by car from the airport (about 5 km); by taxi the price must be agreed in advance, as it's not a fixed-fare ride like the one to the centre.
Best for: Those who want an all-inclusive resort holiday by the sea, without needing to travel to the centre.
- Direct access to the golden sand beach, among the longest on the island
- Recently opened all-inclusive resort, with pools, restaurants and an internal connection to the adjacent Pestana Porto Santo
- Isolated residential area, without the fabric of restaurants and shops of Vila Baleira
- For the centre or the airport a rental car or a taxi is still needed, as there is no dedicated bus service
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, of modest size, handles seasonal tourist traffic linked to the island's famous beach.
Before boarding it is advisable to calculate a 2 hour margin for flights.
Map of Porto Santo Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What makes Porto Santo's beach special?
It is the only golden sand beach in the Madeira archipelago, about 9 km long, unlike Madeira's mostly volcanic beaches.
Q. Can Porto Santo also be reached by ferry?
Yes, from Funchal (Madeira) in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, an alternative to flying if you're already travelling within the archipelago.
Q. Do you need a passport to travel from Madeira to Porto Santo?
No, it's a domestic Portuguese route: a valid ID document is enough, with no border checks since it's the same country.
Q. Is it worth renting a scooter or car on Porto Santo?
Yes, it's the most practical way to explore the island: just 9 km of golden beach and a compact territory, easily covered even by rented scooter or bicycle.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
