Expect €25-€45 per day off-peak (Nov-Mar) and €55-€90 per day in August for a compact petrol with full insurance. Pick up at Funchal airport (FNC), every major company has a desk on the arrivals level. Choose petrol over diesel for short trips, take Super Cover (or pay the excess on your credit card), and decline the GPS, your phone works fine.
- Off-peak (Nov–Mar)
- €25–€40 a day for a compact
- Peak (Jul–Aug)
- €55–€90 a day for a compact
- Automatic premium
- €15–€30 a day
- Basic CDW excess
- €1,000–€2,500
- Where to collect
- Funchal airport (FNC), arrivals level
- Minimum age
- 21, with a surcharge under 25
- Tolls
- None anywhere in Madeira
- Funchal parking
- €1–€1.50/hour, capped at €10–€14/day
Typical prices (per day, including insurance)
| Booking window | Compact petrol | Automatic | SUV / 7-seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov-Mar (off-peak) | €25-€40 | €40-€60 | €55-€80 |
| Apr-Jun / Sep-Oct | €35-€55 | €55-€80 | €75-€110 |
| Jul-Aug (peak) | €55-€90 | €80-€130 | €110-€180 |
| Christmas / NYE week | €80-€140 | €120-€200 | €160-€260 |
Prices are real averages we see at FNC pickup for 7-day rentals booked 4-6 weeks ahead.
Who hires cars at Funchal airport
On-airport desk, fleet skews newer, decent app.
On-airport, reliable, often pricier than locals.
On-airport, big fleet, watch the fuel policy.
On-airport, frequent loyalty deals.
On-airport, cheapest headline rates, aggressive insurance upsell.
Local Madeira company, no airport desk (free shuttle), very competitive.
Local, family-run, will deliver to your hotel.
8 things every first-timer gets wrong
- 1Book 4-8 weeks ahead, last-minute peak-season bookings can triple in price.
- 2Use a comparison site (DiscoverCars, Rentalcars, Skyscanner) first, then check the supplier's own site, sometimes it is cheaper direct.
- 3Take Super Cover / Full Protection at booking, OR cover the excess via your own credit-card or annual policy. Skipping insurance and paying the desk's daily excess waiver is the most expensive option.
- 4Petrol is fine for 90% of trips. Take an automatic only if you genuinely cannot drive manual, Madeira's 18% gradients are easier in stick.
- 5Decline the GPS upsell. Google Maps and Waze work everywhere on the island; download an offline map for the levada drives.
- 6Fuel policy: 'full to full' is cheapest. Avoid 'full to empty' (you pay for unused fuel).
- 7Bring your driving licence + the credit card the booking is on. Debit cards are often refused at pickup.
- 8Photograph the car all around before driving off. Damage disputes on return are the #1 complaint.
FAQ: Madeira car hire
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Manual or automatic?
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