Funchal Car Hire

Top tips for hiring a car in Funchal

• A hire car is by far the best option to explore not only Funchal, but the whole of the Madeira island, as you will have the freedom to go anywhere you want and make as many scenic stops along the way as you please. Driving along the stunning roads will offer you astonishing views; just try heading to the sandy beaches of Calheta, just 40 minutes away, or to the closer Laurisilva Forest, which is around 10 miles away from Funchal.
• All the major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, and Europcar, can be found at Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo CR7 (FNC), commonly known as Madeira Airport, which is located approximately 8.2 miles from Funchal. You can walk straight to the car hire parking lot, which is just across from the terminal. The closest petrol station to Madeira Airport is just five minutes away.
• Due to recent road work, Madeira now has a great network of both inland and coastal roads that have replaced the older, much more dangerous ones. However, there are still plenty of uphill roads with sharp bends that are also quite windy, so be extra careful when driving in new territory. Some roads are also quite narrow and are not advised for people with vertigo issues, so make sure to drive slowly and carefully.
• The island of Madeira does not experience traffic jams, and even during rush hour you won’t find congestion bad enough to add too much extra time to your travels. There is, however, a bigger influx of cars on the road, especially between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and then again after 5 p.m. If you’re heading to the airport during those hours, just plan to leave a bit early.
• 25% of our users found a car hire in Funchal for £17 or less
• Book your car hire in Funchal at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
• Off-airport car hire locations in Funchal are around 18% more expensive than airport locations on average
• Mini car hires in Funchal are around 45% cheaper than other car types, on average