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Car hire in Madeira – Pearl of the Atlantic
Just 57km (35 miles) long and 22km (13 miles) wide, Madeira is the ideal place for a fun-filled motoring holiday with family or friends. Located closer to Casablanca than Lisbon, it is an all-year-round destination thanks to its mild climate and strong air transportation links. Beyond the capital, Funchal, the island offers spectacular scenery, with high mountains running from east to west and vneyards hugging the hillsides.
Draped with lush, green vegetation (including the world's largest surviving expanse of original laurel forest), Madeira isn't dubbed the Pearl of the Atlantic for nothing. Formed by volcanic eruptions many millions of years ago, it is a paradise for outdoor activities of all kinds, including boat trips, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and whale- and dolphin-watching in its ocean waters and golfing, hiking and jeep safaris on swathes of the island's fertile terrain.
Venture out of the town's and cities on spectacular drives with your car hire in Madeira and you'll see stunning sea views and mountain vistas around every bend. Few places can match the island's natural attractions, with much of the island blanketed with subtropical flowers of all colours, many of them indigenous. And there's nothing better than a exhilarating road-trip around the island's breathtaking perimeter, stopping for a leisurely lunch in a picturesque fishing village somewhere en route.
Funchal is a major magnet for most visitors; the city was already an established cruise destination by the late-19th century. Besides soaking up all the atmosphere of its Old Town, the Zona Velha, few tourists can ever resist a riveting ride on the world-famous toboggan run that links Monte with the city centre. Other Funchal highlights include the many rare paintings to be seen at the city's outstanding Sacred Art Museum followed by a tour and tasting session at the São Francisco wine cellars nearby.
With almost 70 years of experience in the heart of the international car rental industry, Auto Europe offers its many customers around the world the very best car hire experience with exceptional customer support provided by our award-winning rental specialists. For added peace of mind, take a look at our Madeira car hire reviews page to see what other Auto Europe customers thought of their recent car rental experience on the island.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Madeira, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Madeira
Auto Europe has achieved its leading position in the international car rental industry by working with all the world's top car hire providers, which means that our customers can pick up their vehicle from Madeira Airport or from a convenient location in the heart of the city centre and be on their way in just a few minutes. It's easy to make the right choice; it's a simple case of making a quick search in our state-of-the-art booking engine and choose the best pick-up point on the interactive map in our search results.
Madeira Airport
Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (more commonly known as Madeira Airport or Funchal Airport) is located in Santa Cruz, a short drive north-east of the capital, Funchal. With its runway jutting out into the Atlantic, both incoming and outgoing passengers seated by the window are treated to the most magnificent views, especial in good weather when the entire island can be viewed from above. The car hire desks can be found in the arrivals halls on level 0 with the pick-up and return of vehicles located directly across the terminal.
Madeira Airport (FNC)
Website: aeroportomadeira.pt
Address: 9100-105 Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
Telephone: +351 291 520 700
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Madeira
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Madeira
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Madeira. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Madeira?
Yes. A valid credit card such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express in the main driver's name will always be required whenever you rent a car in Madeira. The local supplier requires the card as a security deposit during the pick-up process and will duly place on hold of a certain amount on it for the duration of the rental period, which is promptly returned once the vehicle has been dropped off undamaged. Failure to provide a valid card with enough credit at the time of collection will often mean not being able to pick up a vehicle and in many cases the booking will be lost. Please note that for vehicles in the Luxury car category, the supplier might ask for a second credit card (also in the main driver’s name) due to the high value of such vehicles., in other wards you will be required to provide two credit cards. Further information can be found in our credit cards and deposits section of our website. You can see which credit cards are accepted for your booking clearly in the search engine results just by clicking on the blue and white-coloured info (i) icon under the car details.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Madeira?
When booking a car rental in Madeira, you'll find that all the rates quoted on the Auto Europe website come with the minimum amount of legally-required Liability Insurance, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection cover (TP). Please note that depending on which supplier you choose, you may or may not have to pay an excess if the vehicle is stolen or involved in an accident. Please also be aware that CDW doesn't cover all parts of the car, which means that for total peace of mind during your trip you'll need more comprehensive coverage, such as Auto Europe's popular Full Damage & Theft Protection policy which can added for a few euros more with a single click of the mouse at the time of check-out. This will provide cover for the whole car as well as any towing costs, loss of keys, etc. experienced during the rental period. Please consult our car hire coverage page for an in-depth explanation of all the coverage options available. You can view applicable fees by clicking the blue and white info icon (i) found in the car details after making a quick search in our booking engine.
When you arrive to pick up your low-cost car hire in Madeira, you may be offered insurance such as Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects Coverage (PEC), Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Side Assistance, etc. by the staff of the local supplier. This is completely optional and if you have already purchased Auto Europe's excellent Full Damage & Theft Protection coverage, the chances are you won’t be needing anything else for your trip. Unfortunately, Auto Europe will not be able to offer a refund for any insurance purchased locally with the supplier, even if it is deemed surplus to your requirements during your journey.
How is the traffic in Madeira?
Driving on Madeira has become a much more relaxed affair as of late. New tunnels have been built through the mountainous areas, allowing drivers to avoid winding mountain-side roads and reducing travel times. The main motorways are also in good condition. Madeiran drivers are also considerate towards the many tourists visiting the island. Expect some delays driving in and out of the capital, Funchal, during the weekday rush-hour. Please take a look at our Portugal Driving Guide for lots of useful information relating to getting around the island by car.
Where can I park my car hire in Madeira?
It is much easier to find parking outside of the capital Funchal, where on-street parking spaces (especially near the main tourist attractions) are sought after by locals and visitors alike. Car parks are a better option in Funchal, with Almirante Reis Car Park in a good location not far from the cable-car terminal. Parking in the towns and villages situated on the island's lesser-known north coast are often free of charge, although the situation is changing slowly. Most places in the south of Madeira (particularly near the coast) have parking fees now and wherever you park a blue zone, make sure you display your ticket above the dashboard at the bottom of the windscreen (note that many machines on the island still only accept coins). When visiting the main attractions, try to travel early to avoid the busiest times of the day because the carparks are generally full by the end of the morning, especially in the most popular seaside resorts.
Can I pick up my car hire in Madeira and travel with it to other islands?
No. You are not allowed to take your car rental in Madeira off the island, which is strictly prohibited by all the vehicle suppliers featured on the Auto Europe website.
Madeira Travel Guide
Madeira is a well-established tourist destination and made famous over the years by many returning figures such as Sir Winstn Churchill who visited the island regularly to paint and admire the sea views. Besides its rich mix of attractions, monuments and museums, Madeira is also renowned for its outdoor appeal and fine-dining scene all over the island (not just in the capital, Funchal).
Best day trips with my car rental in Madeira
A road-trip with your cheap car rental in Madeira is by far the best way to experience the island. Alhough there are various routes you can take, a lot depends on how much time you have and how adventurous you are. For example, the coast road (ER101) is a tourist favourite and was the first proper road to be built on the island. It awill take you round the whole island, allowing you to stop intermittently and marvel at the beautiful scenery. A quicker option is the motorway which leads from Santana in the north to Ribeira Brava via Funchal.
For clients wishing to explore further than the city of Madeira, it is also possible to undertake a road trip and return the car rental to another drop-off point with a one-way car hire, thus allowing for more freedom and flexibility. You might also want to share the driving with a family member of friend by taking advantage of one of our Free Additional Driver offers on our website.
Pico do Arieiro
There's nothing more exhilarating than a drive above the clouds to Pico do Arieiro with your low-cost car hire in Madeira. Located right in the middle of the island, it is Madeira's third-highest peak and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the whole of Madeira, particularly at sunset.
Curral das Freiras
Loosely translated as 'Nuns' Refuge', Curral das Freiras is a secluded and very peaceful village dramatically set at the bottom of a huge volcanic crater. It is the perfect day-trip option for people looking for an exciting motoring adventure right to the very heart of the island
Machico
Mdeira's second city is a lovely, remote place nestling on the east coast just ten minutes from Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. There's much to see, including a beautiful old church built in 1499, but it's the stunning scenery and ocean views that draw most travellers to this part of the island.
Santana
The charming town of Santana is one of the main points of interest on Madeira's rugged north coast. It is mostly famous for the triangular-shaped abodes adorned with photogenic thatched roofs, several of which have been fully restored and opened to tourists. The drive west to Ponta Delgada and São Vicente is one of the most exhilarating on the island.
What to do in Madeira
As one of Portugal's most popular tourist destinations, Madeira is an island that blends culture, centuries of history and 300 days of sunshine throughout the year. Funchal, the capital, has enough attractions to keep visitors busy for a week or two, including dozens of old churches, monuments and some of the best museums in Portugal. It is also the best place to sample the local wine (known as vinho da Madeira) which has been produced on the island for hundred of years.
- Adegas de São Francisco: A monument to wine-making in Madeira, the renowned São Francisco Wine Lodge is housed in a former Franciscan monastery in a set of old buildings clustered around a cobbled courtyard. It's a lovely setting to taste the island's famous wine, which comes in four different varieties ranging from dry to sweet.
- Sacred Art Museum: Housed in a sparkling white building on one side of Funchal's main square, the Praça do Município, the excellent Museu de Arte Sacra boasts a vast and very interesting collection, including some of the most outstanding Flemish paintings in Portugal. Other pieces on display include many rare items of silver, sculpture and jewellery plus some vestments.
- Al Fahidi Quarter: The Al Fahidi Quarter of old Madeira (sometimes known as the Bastakia neighborhood) is bursting with traditional Arabian architecture from days gone by. Don't miss the magnificent Majlis Gallery, with its collection of traditional Arab ceramics and furniture and the Al Serkal Cultural Foundation located in one of Al Fahidi's most historic buildings.
- Toboggan Run: Described by the American author, Ernest Hemingway, as 'the most exhilarating ride of his life', the world-famous Monte Toboggan ride begins just outside the city in Monte, a fashionable hilltop village overlooking the whole of Funchal. The trip entails being pushed downhill at breakneck speed in a large wicker toboggan by men dressed in fancy straw boaters. Don't miss!
- Botanical Garden: Another winner with the many tourists visiting Funchal throughout the year is the Botanical Garden located a short drive east of the city centre. Occupying the grounds of the Quinta do Bom Sucesso, a beautiful estate overlooking the Madeira capital, the gardens feature an astonishing range of exotic flora as well as the added attraction of a first-class natural history museum.
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