Local rental companies on Madeira list their cars through Localrent, making it easy to compare options at Funchal Airport and around the island.
Capital city and cruise port, desks near hotel zones and marina.
Funchal rental optionsMost car rental in Funchal and Madeira revolves around Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (FNC), located 20 km east of the capital. The terminal serves year-round flights from European cities, and local companies listed on Localrent maintain desks inside arrivals or offer meet-and-greet shuttles outside the baggage hall. Funchal city pick-up points sit near the hotel district and cruise terminal, convenient if you fly in a day early or arrive by ship.
While mainland Europe shivers, Madeira stays green and mild - daytime temperatures hover between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius from November through March. Rain comes in short bursts, leaving trails damp but walkable. The island has become Europe's main winter hiking destination, with levada paths threading through laurel forests and ridgeline tracks climbing above the clouds.
Flowers bloom in January. The north coast sees more rain than the south, but that keeps valleys lush. Pico do Arieiro, at 1818 metres, can have frost on the summit at dawn, so pack a fleece if you plan the sunrise drive. Car rental at Funchal Airport gives you immediate access to mountain roads and coastal loops without waiting for shuttle buses or tour groups.
Portugal drives on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on regional roads, 100 km/h on the VR1 expressway that links the airport to Funchal and continues west toward Ribeira Brava. There are no tolls on Madeira - the island abolished road charges years ago.
Dozens of tunnels cut through the mountains, some single-lane with alternating traffic lights. Funchal streets climb steeply; manual cars demand clutch skill on hill starts, which is why automatics have grown popular among visitors. The ER101 hugs the north coast with narrow sections and occasional rockfall - drive it in daylight. Parking in Funchal costs a few coins per hour in blue zones; mountain trailheads have free gravel lots.
An International Driving Permit is not legally required for EU or UK licence holders staying under six months, but some local rental companies listed on Localrent ask for one as company policy. Check the voucher notes. Fuel stations cluster in Funchal and larger villages; diesel is labelled 'Gasoleo', petrol 'Gasolina'.
| Class | Typical models | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Fiat Panda, Opel Corsa | Couples, short coastal trips | Manual common, tight in steep Funchal parking |
| Compact | Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 | Two adults with luggage, levada walks | Good balance of boot space and manoeuvrability |
| Intermediate | VW Golf, Opel Astra | Families, week-long tours | More comfortable on mountain hairpins |
| SUV compact | Nissan Juke, Renault Captur | Higher seating position, rough trailhead access | Popular for north-coast drives |
Most offers on Localrent for car hire in Madeira and car hire at Funchal Airport are compact and intermediate hatches. SUVs cost more but give confidence on narrow ER roads. Convertibles exist but wind and tunnel spray reduce their appeal outside summer.
Some local companies on Localrent waive the counter deposit if you meet certain conditions - typically holding the booking for a minimum number of days or selecting specific coverage tiers. Those offers appear in search results with a 'No Deposit' label. Coverage, excess and liability are separate items in the voucher, explained alongside what you pay at pick-up.
Our no-deposit guide explains how these offers work and what to check before confirming a booking.
The voucher from Localrent lists the exact documents the rental company expects. Some suppliers accept debit cards; most still prefer credit. Bring a second driver's licence if you plan to share the wheel - there is usually an additional-driver fee noted in the terms.
Madeira is small enough to cross in two hours, but winding roads make every journey longer than the map suggests. These times assume dry tarmac and no stops for photos.
Plan extra time for tunnels and passing slower vehicles. Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro means leaving Funchal by 6 a.m. in January.
Most local companies on Localrent allow one-way rental between the airport and Funchal locations at no extra charge because the distance is short. Confirm in the search filters or voucher notes before booking.
The ER101 is open year-round and maintained regularly, but rain can trigger small rockfalls and the road is narrow with few guardrails. Drive in daylight, watch for oncoming buses, and pull into laybys to let faster traffic pass.
No. Temperatures at sea level stay mild all winter, and snow is rare even at summit elevation. Standard all-season tyres fitted by rental companies handle wet roads and occasional mountain frost.
You pay a booking advance online to confirm the reservation. The remaining balance is paid to the rental company at pick-up as stated in the voucher, along with any deposit hold on your card.
No. Porto Santo is a separate island reached only by ferry or plane, and rental agreements on Madeira prohibit taking cars off the main island. You would need to rent separately on Porto Santo.
The widget above shows live offers from local companies at Funchal Airport and other pick-up points. Enter your dates, compare options, and confirm online. Your voucher will list the exact location, documents required, and what you pay at the counter.