VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Madeira Airport (FNC): on the east of Madeira island, about 20 km from Funchal, with the Via Rápida expressway running along the south coast.
Why Rent a Car at Funchal Airport
Madeira's buses cover the main towns, but the best sights are in the mountains and on the north coast: the viewpoints of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, the natural pools at Porto Moniz, the laurel forest and Santana's triangular houses, and the clifftop at Cabo Girão. A car lets you start walks early and leave when the clouds arrive.
Our advice: book an automatic if you are not used to hill starts, because roads are steep. Choose a small car for narrow village lanes, and plan long mountain drives for dry weather.
Drive Times from FNC
Times are approximate and change a lot with the hour and the season; use a live navigation app for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Funchal | ~18–20 km | about 20–30 min via the Via Rápida |
| Machico | ~5–6 km | 10–15 min |
| Caniço | ~8–10 km | about 15 min |
| Câmara de Lobos | ~25 km | about 25–35 min |
| Calheta | ~45–50 km | about 45–60 min |
| Porto Moniz | ~85–95 km | about 1.5–2 hours |
| Santana | ~35–40 km | about 45–60 min |
| Pico do Arieiro | ~45–50 km | about 1–1.5 hours |
Picking Up at FNC: Meeting Points and Late Arrivals
Hand-over depends on the agency: arrivals area, car park, a nearby yard with a shuttle or hotel delivery in Funchal and around. Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and read the car card for the meeting point. The Madeira rental belongs to Madeira only: it cannot go to Porto Santo or to the mainland, so check the terms before you book any ferry.
Late arrival? Madeira flights can arrive late, and strong winds sometimes delay or divert landings. Give the provider your flight number, confirm the meeting point and any out-of-hours fee, and keep the manager's phone number from your voucher handy.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Your national driving licence; licences issued in EU/EEA countries are normally accepted, while drivers from other countries may be asked for an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the licence — requirements depend on where your licence was issued and can change, so check with the agency before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
What Affects the Price of a Rental at FNC
We do not quote a fixed price here, because rates for the same car change with dates and availability. Look at the live search for your exact days. The main factors:
- Season: July and August, Easter and the Christmas–New Year period are the busiest and dearest, especially in the Algarve and on Madeira; spring and autumn are usually quieter and cheaper, and winter is lowest on the mainland coast
- Car class: an automatic SUV or pick-up costs clearly more than a compact car
- Rental length: weekly and longer rentals usually lower the daily rate
- Insurance level: full coverage adds a daily amount but often removes the deposit
- Pick-up and return place: airport and out-of-hours pick-up, delivery and one-way returns can carry fees
When you compare, look at the total with full coverage, not the base rate alone.
Portugal Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Tolls, fines and parking are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Steep Roads, Tunnels and Hill Starts
Madeira's roads are steep, with many tunnels and sharp, sometimes blind bends. The Via Rápida along the south coast is fast and passes through tunnels; the older roads are narrow and winding. Use a low gear downhill so the brakes do not overheat, and on a steep uphill junction use the handbrake. Switch headlights on in tunnels, and take care when mist rolls in on the high roads. Older roads through villages can be narrow enough that you must reverse to let another car pass.
Levadas, Viewpoints and Mountain Weather
Levadas are stone water channels with paths beside them, popular for walks. Drive only to the signed car parks and leave the car there: paths and forest tracks are not covered by the insurance. Weather can change within minutes: the south may be sunny while the north and peaks are covered in cloud, so check the forecast and carry a light jacket. Some mountain roads and walks close after rain or landslides; ask locally before you set out.
Driving Near FNC: Roads and Habits
Expect slow traffic in Funchal, steep one-way streets and fast, narrow descents. Parking in Funchal is limited and paid; use underground car parks. Roads in the north and west have long tunnels and exposed stretches that suffer from rockfalls after heavy rain.
- Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left, and at roundabouts give way to cars already circulating
- Speed limits are signed and cameras, including average-speed units, are used; as a general guide towns are 50 km/h or lower, main roads about 90 km/h and motorways up to 120 km/h
- Many mainland motorways (signed A) charge tolls, some of them electronically only, with no booth; ask the agency how the car's Via Verde transponder or other toll system works and whether a fee is added
- Strict drink-driving limits apply and police run roadside tests; the safest rule is zero alcohol. No handheld phone, and seatbelts are compulsory for everyone
- Children need a suitable child seat; ask the agency to confirm what the offer includes
- Fuel policy is usually full-to-full; return the car with the same level as at pick-up and keep the fuel receipt
- Do not take the car on unpaved tracks, beaches or levada paths: insurance is not valid off-road
- Crossing into Spain needs the agency's permission, and island rentals (Madeira, Azores) stay on their island; ferries and flights between them are not covered, so check the terms
- Leave the car at signed car parks and walk levada paths and forest tracks on foot; the cover is not valid there
Best Day Trips from Funchal Airport by Car
Car Rental at Other Portugal Pick-Up Points
If your trip starts elsewhere, pick up closer to your first night and save a long drive after landing.