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Finding a car hire in Madeira is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers around Portugal with no booking fees. Pick up your hire car at Funchal Airport (FNC) or in Funchal city, with options from local and international companies. For more choice and lower prices, book early for summer, Christmas and Easter, and consider a compact automatic or small SUV for the steep roads.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Hire Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Funchal Airport (FNC) |
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| Funchal City |
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| Hotel Delivery |
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| Resort Areas |
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Local Companies vs International Chains
Local Madeira companies like InsularCar, Rodavante and Madeira Rent often offer competitive rates and more personalised service. They may deliver cars to hotels at little or no cost, a service international chains often charge for.
Car Rental Prices
How to pay less?
- Compare pickup spots: FNC airport often adds €15-20. Check Funchal city pickups or hotel delivery. Some local firms deliver free or cheap, others charge €20-30, so do the math.
- Time your booking by season: For Jul-Aug, Christmas and Easter, book 2-3 months ahead. For Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct, 3-4 weeks is fine. In Nov-Mar, last-minute can be okay.
- Pick a smaller manual: If you’re comfortable, manuals are usually €10-15/day cheaper and compacts are easier to park on Funchal’s narrow streets.
- Pre-book online and compare: Online reservations are often 30-50% cheaper than walk-up. Compare across brands, car sizes and pickup locations.
- Hire only the days you need: Many trips only need 4-5 days to cover Madeira’s highlights instead of a full week.
- Watch extras and parking: Extra driver is about €5/day, child seats €5-10/day with caps. In Funchal, pick accommodation with free parking to avoid €1-2 per hour garages.
Car hire prices at Madeira Airport 2025/2026
Local Driving and Parking
| Location | Parking Options | Cost | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal City | Street spots (metered) Underground garages | Paid | Centro zone is limited to 2 hours. La Vie shopping centre and Marina Shopping both offer central garage spots. |
| Funchal Old Town | Limited street spots CR7 Museum garage | Mostly paid | Extremely limited street spots. Use garages and walk to explore the pedestrianised zones. |
| Viewpoints (Miradouros) | Dedicated areas | Free | Popular viewpoints like Eira do Serrado and Pico dos Barcelos have designated spaces, but fill quickly in peak season. |
| Levada Walks | Trailhead areas | Free | Space at popular levadas (Balcões, 25 Fontes) fills early morning. Arrive before 10am or after 2pm for better chances. |
| Rural Villages | Town squares Church plazas | Usually free | Villages like Santana and Porto da Cruz have central areas, often unmarked but obvious. |
| Natural Swimming Areas | Dedicated lots | Free or paid | Porto Moniz natural pools and Seixal beach have spots nearby. In summer, arrive early as they fill quickly. |
Local Driving Rules
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open roads, 90-100 km/h on expressways (VE roads)
- Tunnels: Headlights must be on in all tunnels (Madeira has over 150 tunnels)
- Mountain roads: Use horn gently before blind corners on older mountain roads
- Steep gradients: Use low gear when descending to avoid brake failure
Enforcement Rules
Madeira has relatively relaxed enforcement in rural areas but is stricter in Funchal. Speed cameras are located primarily on the VR1 expressway and near tunnel entrances. Police occasionally set up checkpoints for documents and sobriety, particularly on weekend evenings near Funchal.
Why hire a car in Madeira
Hire a car to drive to:
- Pico do Arieiro – summit 1,818 m
- Cabo Girão – skywalk viewpoint
- Porto Moniz – lava pools
- Ponta de São Lourenço – peninsula
- Fanal Forest – laurel trees
- Encumeada Pass – mountain views
FAQs
Is Madeira difficult to drive in?
Madeira's steep roads and many tunnels can be tricky, but modern expressways have made getting around much easier. If you're comfortable driving in the mountains, you'll be fine. Less confident drivers might want to hire an automatic car.
Do I need a 4x4 vehicle in Madeira?
No, a standard car is fine for all paved roads. A small SUV can be handy because it sits higher off the ground, but you almost never need to drive off-road to get to the main sights.
How long does it take to drive around the entire island?
If you use the fast expressways and tunnels, you could drive around the whole island in about 3 hours without stopping. But if you take your time and stop at viewpoints, the trip will take a full day.
Are there any roads tourists should avoid?
The old north coast road between São Vicente and Porto Moniz sometimes closes because of rockfalls after it rains heavily. You should check if the road is open before you travel. Also, some very narrow roads in old Funchal can be tricky to drive on. It's best to follow what the local drivers are doing.
How reliable is the fuel gauge on steep mountain roads?
Your fuel gauge might not be accurate when you're driving on very steep hills. Try to keep your tank at least a quarter full when you're exploring areas far from a town.
