Private Monte and Taboggan ride Tour

Monte’s toboggan feels old-school fun. This private ride pairs hotel pickup with a guide who keeps the day easy and focused on Monte’s stories and sights. I especially like the private transport (no waiting for other people) and the chance to pause at the famous Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte for garden time and big city views. One thing to plan for: the toboggan ticket is paid separately, and queues can run long depending on the hour.

Your schedule is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it runs in all weather, so dress for misty Madeira days. Most groups like this setup because you get one guide handling the flow, including live commentary during the ride. If you’re sensitive to waiting at the toboggan site, go in with a flexible mindset and ask your guide how timing looks that day.

Key Highlights Worth Prioritizing

• Private guide and private transportation so you set the pace and avoid the herd
• Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte stop with free admission and standout views over Funchal
• Live commentary on board that helps you connect what you see to what Madeira is like
• Guide support around the toboggan including helping you get tickets and manage time in line
• Optional add-ons when time allows, like food stops or quick viewpoint breaks guided by your interests

What This Private Monte + Toboggan Tour Actually Feels Like

This is a practical “get you there, explain what matters, and keep things smooth” kind of tour. You’re paying for fewer moving parts: a local guide, a driver, and your group staying together from pickup to drop-off.

Because it’s private (up to 3 people per booking), it works well if you want a calm plan rather than a rushed checklist. The ride itself is part of the value too. You get live commentary on board, which is a big deal in Funchal because the best context comes while you’re traveling, not after.

The one logistical point to remember is that the toboggan experience depends on a separate ticket fee. The tour covers the guiding and transportation; the toboggan company handling happens on-site.

Money and Value: Price vs. What You Still Pay

The tour price is $120.02 per group (up to 3 people) and lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s not only for the transfer. You’re also paying for a guide, a driver, and a private plan that starts with pickup in the Funchal City area.

Then there’s the extra toboggan admission fee, listed as $40.00 per booking for the tabboggan ticket. In other words, you’re not “all-in” on day one—you’re “transport + guiding all-in,” plus the toboggan ticket.

So when does it feel like a good deal? When you’re traveling with at least 2 people. If you’re a solo traveler, you may compare costs against a taxi plus buying tickets yourself. If you’re 3, the math usually gets friendlier because the private guide time gets shared.

The Pickup System: Getting Started Without Stress

Pickup is simple if you’re staying in the Funchal City area. The tour states free hotel pickup is available there, and you’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off if you select that option.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, there’s a harbor pick-up option. It includes the pick-up fees (listed as 5€ per vehicle) charged by the port authority. That’s worth it if you’d rather not sort out directions or wait for a taxi while everyone else is doing the same thing.

For most people, the best part is not the ride. It’s that you’re not trying to coordinate timing and ticket logistics on your own in a busy area.

Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte: The First Stop That Sets the Tone

This stop is the heart of the Monte experience: the 19th-century Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, and admission is free.

What you’re really getting isn’t just a quick photo. The church sits within gardens and offers magnificent views over Funchal. Even if you’ve seen religious sites before, this one has a built-in “pause” factor. The gardens and the overlook make it easy to slow down and take in the town’s geography.

If you like history, your guide will likely connect what you’re seeing to how Monte became the place it is today. If you don’t, you can still enjoy it as an easy viewpoint stop with a clear reason to get out of the vehicle.

One practical note: this is one of those stops where you may want comfortable shoes. Gardens and viewpoints can mean uneven ground, and you’ll be glad you can stand, walk a bit, and enjoy the views without rushing.

The Toboggan Part: Fun Ride, Separate Ticket, Real-World Timing

After the Monte church stop, you’ll head toward the toboggan activity area. The tour doesn’t include the toboggan ticket, so you’ll pay the toboggan admission separately at $40.00 per booking.

This is where planning matters. The toboggan can have queues, and the length can swing depending on time of day. In practice, I’d treat waiting as a normal part of the experience rather than a surprise.

The advantage of this private tour is what your guide does with that waiting time. Multiple guide styles show up in the experience: for example, some guides like Joao are described as helping with tickets and standing in line so you can focus on sightseeing and photos during gaps. Others, like Margarida, are noted for walking you to the ticket office and making sure you know where to go.

Also, remember that the toboggan company has on-site ticket handling. The guidance here is straightforward: you purchase on the spot, and your guide helps you manage it.

How Long Should You Expect to Spend, Really?

The tour is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes total, but the real timeline can stretch a bit depending on the toboggan queue. That’s why it’s smart to plan the rest of your day without a hard deadline right afterward.

If you’re aiming for morning, it can be a great time to go. Just know the line may still be long. One account describes a long wait when arriving around 10. Another describes a luckier timing where queues weren’t bad. You can’t control that, but you can prepare.

The Guide Makes a Difference (Names You Might Hear)

This is a private experience, so your guide style matters a lot. You’ll likely get live commentary during the ride, and you’ll get help with the flow of the day.

Some guide names that come up in this kind of Monte + toboggan outing include Gonzalo, Maggie, Margarida, Joao, and Davide. What I’d take from those names is not fandom—it’s a pattern: the better guides are the ones who manage tickets and lines actively, then meet you at the bottom and keep your time from turning into a free-for-all.

If you want maximum value, ask your guide one simple question while you’re traveling: where do you have time for a quick photo or viewpoint if the toboggan line is longer than expected? Good guides will adapt.

Optional Extras: Food and Viewpoint Breaks (When Time Allows)

Your core plan is church + toboggan. But some guides appear to use spare time wisely when schedules allow.

One example described a guide taking guests to try a local cheesecake after the toboggan. Another included a quick stop at a fortress viewpoint with great Funchal views. These aren’t guaranteed in your booking details, but they’re a useful idea to carry with you: if the day has breathing room, your guide may help you add something small and memorable.

If you have specific preferences—more views, a quick snack, short photo stops—tell your guide at pickup. Private means you can request adjustments.

Weather, Clothing, and Comfort Rules That Matter

The tour operates in all weather conditions. That means you should dress appropriately for Madeira weather changes, especially around viewpoints and outdoor church gardens.

Plan for comfort first:

• Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably
• Bring a light layer in case the air feels cooler on the way up
• If rain shows up, you’ll want something that keeps you from getting miserable during the queue

This is also a ride with real physical constraints. The experience lists a legal combined passenger weight limit of 210kg. That matters for group planning. If you’re traveling with multiple heavier riders, confirm your total before booking.

Children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is 3 years. If you’re bringing kids, ask your guide how they handle timing at the toboggan site so you’re not stuck waiting with little ones without a plan.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This private Monte + toboggan setup is ideal if you:

• Want a guide-led day without the stress of arranging pickup and timing
• Are traveling with 2–3 people and want better value by sharing the private cost
• Like history and culture, but also want the ride to feel fun, not educational-only
• Prefer a flexible approach over a rigid schedule

It’s also a strong pick if you don’t want to figure out transport logistics on your own, especially when cruise schedules or hotel pickup timing could complicate things.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys DIY and doesn’t mind working out routes, you might find cheaper options. But you’d be giving up the guided context, the live commentary, and the smooth handoff to the toboggan ticket process.

Price Tally Example: A Quick Way to Judge for Your Group

Let’s say you book for the maximum group size of 3. You pay $120.02 for the tour, then $40.00 for the toboggan admission fee per booking. That totals $160.02 per group (tour + toboggan ticket as listed).

If your group is smaller, the value drops a bit. Still, you may be okay with that tradeoff if you value convenience and having someone manage timing and directions.

Should You Book This Private Monte and Toboggan Ride?

If you want an easy, guided Monte experience with a private vehicle and a guide who helps you manage the toboggan logistics, I’d say yes. The best part isn’t only the ride—it’s the way the day is paced: church stop for views, then toboggan time, with a guide on hand to keep you from wandering around trying to figure out next steps.

Book it if your group includes more than one person and you’d rather spend your energy enjoying Madeira than comparing taxi prices and ticket lines.

Skip or reconsider if you’re laser-focused on cost and you’re comfortable organizing everything yourself. Also reconsider if you strongly hate waiting—queues can happen at the toboggan site, and while your guide can help, you can’t erase the physical reality of line length.

In short: it’s a smart “comfort + local context” way to do Monte, especially when you arrive hungry for views and ready for a fun ride.

FAQ

How many people can be included in this private tour?

The tour is priced per group and supports up to 3 people.

Is the toboggan ticket included in the tour price?

No. The toboggan admission fee is paid separately and is listed as $40.00 per booking.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does pickup happen?

Free pickup is available in hotels and accommodations in the Funchal City area. There’s also a harbor pickup option for cruise ship passengers, with an additional 5€ per vehicle port fee.

Do I need to worry about weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

Is the church stop free?

Yes, the Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte admission is listed as free.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.