Funchal car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Funchal
The best car rental companies in Funchal are Sixt, Rodavante, Avis. Prices start from €25/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 11%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Funchal
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#6
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#7
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Rodavante
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Rodavante deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Funchal
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €25 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €30 | Opel Corsa | 4 |
| SUV | €46 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €62 | Citroën Berlingo | 7 |
| Luxury | €88 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Funchal
Airport — Madeira Airport (FNC)
Madeira Airport, famous for its runway built on stilts over the sea, sits about 20 minutes east of Funchal, and nearly every visitor picks up a car directly at the terminal since Madeira has no train.
Downtown — Funchal city center
Local desks in central Funchal serve visitors on cruise stops or hotel packages who only want a car for a day or two of exploring the island's mountain roads.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~11% of base rate | FNC airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Mountain-road tunnel tolls | €1–5 per crossing | VE1/VE2/VE3 expressway tunnels |
| Winter tire / driving conditions note | No extra fee, caution advised | Central mountain roads above 1,200m in winter |
| Refundable deposit | €200–450 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Funchal
- Madeira Airport is famous for its runway extension built on stilts over the ocean — one of the most dramatic landings in Europe, about 20 minutes from central Funchal.
- Madeira is a volcanic island of steep mountains, and its road network relies heavily on tunnels and elevated expressways (the VE1–VE3 routes) to connect Funchal with the north coast.
- Some of the island's older mountain roads are extremely narrow with hairpin turns and sheer drops — many visitors prefer the modern expressway tunnels over the scenic old routes when short on time.
- Funchal's historic center has limited and mostly paid street parking, with several multi-story car parks near the marina and cable car station.
- The drive to Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira's highest points, climbs above the cloud line and can be foggy or windy even when Funchal at sea level is sunny.
- Madeira has no rail network, and buses between mountain villages are infrequent — a rental car is by far the most practical way to see the island beyond Funchal.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Funchal
Do you need a car in Funchal?
For the city center, no — it's walkable and has a cable car and trams. To see Madeira's mountains, levada trails, and north-coast villages, a car is close to essential since public transport is limited.
Is driving in Madeira difficult?
The modern expressway tunnels (VE1–VE3) make getting around fairly easy. Some older mountain roads are narrow with steep drops, so many visitors stick to the expressways unless comfortable with mountain driving.
Are there tolls in Madeira?
Yes, small tolls (roughly €1–5) apply on some of the VE-series expressway tunnels connecting Funchal to the north coast. Most rental cars come with a transponder or accept cash at booths.
Can you drive to Pico do Arieiro?
Yes, it's about a 45-minute drive from Funchal on a well-paved mountain road. Conditions at the summit can be foggy or windy even on a clear day in Funchal, so check weather before heading up.
Where do you park in Funchal?
Street parking in the historic center is limited and mostly paid. Multi-story car parks near the marina and cable car base station are the most reliable option.
Should I rent a car at Madeira airport or in Funchal?
Renting at the airport is standard — it's only about 20 minutes from Funchal, and most visitors want a car from day one since Madeira has no train and limited bus coverage to the mountains.
What is the cheapest car type in Funchal?
Economy cars like a Fiat Panda start around €25/day. For mountain roads, an SUV like a Dacia Duster with more ground clearance starts around €46/day.
Nearby trips
