To make the most of the wonderful island of Madeira, it’s best to set off on an adventure in your own vehicle: to go off the beaten track, to see the most beautiful roads and to admire the sunrises!
Here’s our practical guide to stress-free car rental in Madeira.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1 – Where to rent a car in Madeira: best agencies
Our preferred platform
Our first instinct is to check out the offers on DiscoverCars.
This platform allows us to easily compare offers from different rental companies: prices and conditions. And every time, we find good deals.
Where to take your car?
You have two main options: the airport or the city of Funchal.
Given the price of car rentals and the cost of cabs between Funchal and the airport (a 30-minute drive), we advise you to rent your car at the airport.
What’s more, it’s easier to take control of the car on the expressway than in the narrow streets of Funchal…
- Madeira Airport (Funchal): see offers
- City of Funchal: see offers
When to rent a car
It’s an island with a limited number of cars. We therefore advise you to book as soon as you have your travel dates, to have a choice of cars and better prices!
Which are the best rental agencies in Madeira?
Some of the top-rated car rental companies at Madeira airport are:
- MadeiraRent
- Europcar
- Alamo
So far, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences with no problems. When you read the comments, remember that the millions of people who haven’t had any problems don’t take the time to leave comments…
2 – Which car rental for Madeira?
Our top 3 tips for choosing your car are:
- Not too big
- A good engine
- Automatic if possible
And we explain why.
What size car?
Don’t take a car that’s too wide and too long.
The roads are mountain roads, not very wide, and parking spaces are generally small.
The mini, economy, compact and mid-size categories are suitable.
Which engine?
Madeira’s peaks rise to 1,800m over a small area. So some roads are very steep.
For driving comfort, we don’t recommend taking smaller cars with less powerful engines.
Automatic or manual?
As in many European countries, most cars are manual. Given Madeira’s many steep roads, I’d advise you to rent an automatic if you’re not confident in your ability to make hill starts.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
3 – Permits, rules and credit cards
Minimum age
The official driving age in Madeira is 18.
However, most car rental companies in Madeira will ask you to do so:
- be over 21 years of age
- have held a driving licence for one year or more,
- pay an additional fee if you are under 25.
Do I need an international permit to rent a car in Madeira?
To be allowed to drive in Madeira (for a short stay), you can use your country’s driver’s license if:
- it has a license number,
- he has a photograph,
- it has a validity date,
- it is written in Latin letters,
European, American, Canadian, Australian countries… all work.
Do I need a credit card?
The answer may be.
When you rent a car without taking the 0 deductible from the rental company, they systematically take a deposit with your credit card (a sum is blocked on your account to be debited in the event of an accident). Some rental companies refuse to accept debit cards.
If you rent directly from the rental company and take out their insurance, which sets the deductible at zero, you don’t need a credit card.
4 – Taking out insurance
Compulsory insurance
Unlimited liability insurance is compulsory in Madeira and Portugal. It is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
Supplements
As these are a lot of winding mountain roads, and even if we didn’t find the driving very difficult, we’d advise you to take out additional protection that reduces the amount you have to pay in the event of an accident.
3 main options:
Option 1
Your personal car or home insurance covers car rentals (but read the fine print, it’s rare).
Option 2
Take out insurance with the rental platform.
Advantage: best price
Disadvantage: you’ll have to leave the security deposit (sum blocked on account) when you pick up the car, and you’ll have to advance the sum and send in the paperwork to be reimbursed. We’ve already used DiscoverCars insurance twice with no worries. Refunds were very quick.
Option 3
Take the complementary car rental. It’s more expensive, but you won’t have to pay anything up front and you won’t have to do any paperwork in the event of damage.
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
5 – Access to rental cars
It’s easy to find car rentals at Madeira airport.
Just cross a bridge and take an elevator to the parking lot, where you’ll find rental cars from the main rental companies.
The airport is not large, so you won’t have to walk for miles.
6 – Check your vehicle on pick-up
If you’ve taken advantage of the rental company’s top-up to set the excess to zero, there’s no need to check the condition of the car, but make sure you have all the essential equipment.
Otherwise, we recommend (just for peace of mind) that you walk around the car, take photos of any damage and inform the agency if it’s not noted in the car pick-up document.
Pay attention:
- all over the car’s exterior to detect dents and scratches.
- on the roof – It’s often forgotten, but it may be checked on your return.
- below the bumpers
- rearview mirrors
- inside
- tire condition
- the condition of the wing (mud wing above the wheels)
- spare wheel (if applicable, as fewer and fewer cars have a spare wheel)
- fuel level and mileage, that they correspond to the file
In Madeira and Portugal, the following equipment must be available in the car:
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest or jacket
- Set of spare lights
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
7 – Getting ready to drive in Madeira
A lot of people stress about driving in Madeira. We didn’t find it that difficult. Yes, these are winding mountain roads, but they still have low protective walls, so we were reassured.
You simply have to take your time.
The biggest difficulties are the streets in the hills above Funchal, which can be extremely steep.
Here are the general rules for driving in Madeira:
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Respect city speed limits: 50km/h, but often lower
- Respect speed limits on other roads: from 60 to 90km/h
- Limit your alcohol intake: limit to 50 mg per 100 ml of blood – but we recommend you don’t drink at all if you’re driving.
- Wear their seat belts
- There are many blind spots. Use the many mirrors installed to help you cross the roads.
See our full article on driving in Madeira.
The main hazards on Madeira’s roads are :
- Driving too fast
- Animals – on the plateau, you can find cows and sheep on the road. And if you travel early in the morning, you’ll also see rabbits.
- Landscapes– which can be so beautiful that you let yourself get distracted.
Here’s our video:
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rent a car in Madeira?
We highly recommend it.
This allows you to see some of the island’s most beautiful scenery, and there’s a lot of it! This also allows you to stop as long as you like at the various points of interest and visit at quieter times.
Is it worth having a 4WD?
No, there’s no point.
Car rental scams in Madeira
As far as we know, there are no specific scams in Madeira.
As in most countries, if the price is very, very low, there must be conditions and tricks behind it.
What to do in the event of a fine or ticket
You are responsible for any contraventions during the rental period.
If you are notified immediately, you may pay at the police station or online as indicated.
But it can take up to 3 months before a fine is reported to the rental company. In this case, they’ll send you a proof, charge you for it and probably add an administration fee.
What to do if there’s a problem with the car?
Don’t lose your rental agreement.
On this page, you will find the steps to take if you have a problem with your car.
Most use a breakdown assistance service and the number will be indicated on the contract.
You can then contact the rental company to see how to replace the car.
What is the budget required?
Average prices throughout the year range from 15 to 75 EUR per day.
Prices depend on: car, reservation period, rental period, additional insurance…
Driving in Porto Santo
From Madeira, you can also visit Porto Santo, but you have to take a ferry.
Not all rental companies allow this. And for others, fees are included.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
