If you’re planning a trip to Madeira Portugal, you should know that renting a car is the best option to get around! Many of the best beaches, hikes, and sights are spread out all around the island. This means that hiring a car in Madeira is the easiest way to see as much as possible. Here’s our 7 best tips for rental cars in Madeira and all about our own experience.
Our Recent Visit to Madeira
We recently had a family member that moved to Madeira and we were so excited for our first trip to the island! Prior to heading there, we actually made a 4 day stop on Sao Miguel in the Azores.
If you’re flying to Madeira like we did from Boston, be sure to check out their layover deal. It’s actually free to add a stopover in the Azores when flying with SATA International before continuing on!
Look into cheap flights with Skyscanner and then book directly with the airline when it’s time. We also rented a car in the Azores for our 4 days to get to so many incredible thermals and viewpoints.
However, once we got to Madeira, it was a completely different experience on the roads! As you’ll seen in this article, there are definitely some things to be aware of first.
We spent one week driving around the island and would’ve never been able to see so much without hiring a car in Madeira!
Planning a Trip to Madeira
Airport: The main airport is named Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) after the famous soccer player who grew up on the island.
Flights: There are direct flights from all over Europe, sometimes as cheap as $20 USD one way! Check the current prices by using this website to see all the airlines at once.
Where to Stay: Maderia is actually quite a large island that has everything from massive resorts to small family run properties. Take a look at our top picks below to get an idea of the accommodation styles around the island.
- Funchal (Main City): Barceló Funchal Oldtown
- Santa Cruz (Near Airport): Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club
- Santana (More Remote & Quiet): Hotel Quinta Do Furao
- Ponta Delgada (Natural Pools & Beach): Casa da Capelinha
- Porto Moniz (Beautiful North Coast): Aqua Natura Bay
Best Things to Do: While you can certainly explore on your own, some of the best tours are this Ecological Catamaran trip, Island Jeep Tour, Sunrise Hike, and Guided Wine Tour with Tasting!
Insurance: Always make sure you have insurance while traveling abroad. We’ve been using SafetyWing for years and love the flexible plans made for travelers.
7 Tips For Hiring a Car in Madeira Portugal
1. Book Your Madeira Rental Car in Advance
Once you have your dates locked in and flights booked, you’ll want to check the prices for cars. One thing to know is that they can fluctuate massively depending on the season you visit Madeira.
However, by booking as far in advance as possible, you can find really great deals! July to September is considered high season on the island, with visitors coming from all over Europe and the United States.
Yet, you should know that Maderia has nice weather year round. This means you can often find even cheaper deals during swing and off-season.
2. Compare the Different Companies on the Island
The island has many car rental companies that we have never heard of. That’s why it’s best to use a website like Discover Cars to compare prices and reviews. This is our favorite tool for booking rental cars in Europe.
We’ve used it everywhere from the USA to Europe, and even New Zealand to get around during our travels. Be sure to check for weekly discounts, as it can often be more affordable to take it for 7 days or more.
You can even search for your the best prices for certain dates before you book your flight! We’ve gotten cars for as cheap as 10 Euros a day.
One more tip is to book a car with free cancellation. That way if your plans change (or if you find a better deal) you can easily get a new vehicle.
3. Pick Up Your Vehicle at Funchal Airport
Another tip for hiring a car in Madeira is to pick it up directly from the airport. While there are car rental places all over the island, there are many companies located directly at Funchal Airport or just off-site.
On our own visit, we called once we landed and were picked up by the rental company shortly after. They brought us 5 minutes down the road to their airport location. This is not only easy, but the prices for renting a car in Madeira are often cheaper at the airport due so much competition.
Unless you’re just renting a car for the day from wherever you’re staying, it makes the most sense to pick your vehicle up as soon as you land.
4. Tight Roads of Madeira Island
Make no mistake about it, the roads on Madeira are just as wild as they look! The island has earned the nickname the “Hawaii of Europe” for the mountainous terrain.
We’ve driven on plenty of tiny roads throughout our travels around the world. Still, some of the streets on Madeira require some experience.
Specifically around Funchal, we had a hard time with the one way streets going up and down hills. Just be aware of this when considering renting a car in Madeira.
5. Tunnels, Tunnels & More Tunnels!
One thing that surprised us about hiring a car in Madeira was the sheer amount of tunnels you drive through. We had heard there was tunnels, but we weren’t ready to be dipping in and out of them every day!
There are more than 150 tunnels around the island that cut deep through the mountains. While this can be intimidating, know that most drives would take several hours without them.
We became used to the tunnels after awhile, but it’s also a drawback of hiring a car on Madeira. Sometimes you have to trade in the views outside of the tunnels to get where you’re going faster.
6. Beware of the Weather
Madeira is a tropical island with a unique microclimate. This brings beautiful year round weather, but know that it’s not always sunshine and rainbows.
Madeira gets plenty of rainfall throughout the year, especially from October to January. For this reason, you’ll want to get a sturdy car and pay extra attention on the mountain roads.
Also, be patient and let local drivers who are more accustomed to driving on the island pass you when needed. Some days we would be on the highway and it would be raining, and we would pop out of a tunnel to the sun shining!
7. Get a Small Madeira Rental Car
We recommend getting a nicer car, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bigger is better. If you aren’t traveling in a big group, you’re really better off getting a small vehicle for the tight roads around the island.
This will also come in handy when it comes to parking in Funchal and some of the smaller towns. Gas can also be quite expensive on Madeira, so a small car (or diesel) can help with costs.
One last thing we wanted to mention is that if you can drive manual it will save you money! We typically go with an automatic car, but manual transmission can sometimes be up to half the price.
Is Hiring a Car in Madeira Worth It?
Absolutely! Unless you’re planning to not leave Funchal, then you should definitely look into renting a car in Madeira.
From the natural swimming holes to the beaches,and mountain towns, there’s just so much to see on this island. Public transportation routes are available, but can be difficult to get everywhere with.
Hopefully, this article gave you some tips for your own adventures, and why hiring a car in Madeira is the best move.
Have any questions on car rentals in Madeira or want to share your own experience? Leave us a comment below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
