Get ready to enjoy driving in Madeira! In this guide to renting a car in Madeira, we’ll cover everything you need to know to explore the island at your own pace and discover its breathtaking landscapes. You'll find practical tips for choosing the perfect vehicle, tricks to save money, and recommendations to drive worry-free.
The island boasts excellent roads, but it’s essential to understand its unique characteristics since driving in Madeira is unlike anywhere else—especially due to the steep inclines you’ll encounter on most routes. You’ve likely never seen as many dramatic climbs in one place!
But don’t worry, this guide on renting a car in Madeira will also provide all the advice you need to navigate Madeira’s roads calmly and safely.
With years of experience renting cars in various destinations, we’ve learned what truly matters when booking. In this article, we’ll show you how to use our favorite price comparison tool to find the best car rental deals in Madeira, tailored to your needs and budget.
And if terms like fuel policy, excess, or full coverage sound complicated, no worries. This guide to renting a car in Madeira in 2025 will clarify everything you need to know so you can book with confidence and fully enjoy your adventure in this Atlantic gem.
Renting a Car in Madeira - Contents:
Why Rent a Car in Madeira
If you're planning your trip to Madeira, you've probably realized that this island has a lot to offer. While it’s possible to reach popular spots by bus, taxi, or organized tours, the best way to truly experience Madeira is by renting a car. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover less touristy, more untouched corners of the island, like this one:
Renting a car in Madeira is the most practical and popular option for visitors. You can visit top attractions at strategic times, avoiding peak crowds, and carry everything you need in the trunk for a full day out.
In short, from our perspective, renting a car in Madeira means comfort, freedom, and a much richer travel experience, don’t you think? For us, it’s an integral part of the Madeira adventure, as the landscapes change as you drive, and the views from the car are simply stunning.
Is It Safe to Drive in Madeira?
Driving in Madeira is, without a doubt, an experience worth having. The island has well-maintained roads, many of which have been recently renovated, with modern tunnels cutting through mountains to make traveling between locations quick and easy. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when driving here.
First, steep inclines are a daily reality in Madeira. Even on some main roads, you’ll encounter memorable climbs and descents. In the mountain roads, these inclines become even more pronounced, featuring sharp curves and, at times, narrow lanes. While these conditions can seem intimidating at first, with patience and caution, you won’t have any issues. Plus, the roads are in excellent condition, making even the trickier stretches manageable.
Another thing you’re sure to love is the way locals drive: calm and respectful. Honestly, during our entire stay in Madeira, we didn’t hear a single car horn. People are incredibly kind, give way with a smile, and won’t rush you if you’re driving more slowly than usual. This relaxed atmosphere makes driving around the island much more enjoyable, even if you’re not used to mountain roads.
Which Car and Rental Company to Choose in Madeira: OUR EXPERIENCE
One important tip before renting your car in Madeira: make sure it has enough power, especially for the hills. We rented a VW Polo, and it was perfect. We quickly realized that without sufficient horsepower, some climbs could have been a real headache. So, trust us—spend a little more and avoid the cheapest option. You’ll thank yourself during your trip!
As for the rental company, while we often prefer smaller local businesses, in this case, we highly recommend Sixt. No, we don’t have any agreement with them—in fact, we’ve had mixed experiences with them in other destinations—but after renting from them twice in Madeira, we’ve been very pleased.
Why Sixt? First, many car rental companies in Madeira require a deposit of €1,000 to €1,500, which we find excessive and impractical, especially if your credit card has a low limit. Sixt, on the other hand, only asks for €300, which we think is much more reasonable.
Second, you can pick up and drop off the car right at the airport terminal—a major advantage because it saves you time and hassle. Lastly, the service we received on both occasions was excellent. The staff were friendly, and we had no issues when returning the car.
Of course, as we always recommend, it’s best to do your own comparison and review each company’s terms to ensure they fit your needs.
How to Rent a Car in Madeira
Renting a car in Madeira is simple, but we recommend booking in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute, as availability may be limited, and you could miss out on great deals. By booking early, you’ll secure the car you need at the best price.
The easiest way to compare options is by using a price comparison tool. This allows you to see all the available cars from different companies on one website, making it easy to find the best deal for you.
Of all the comparison tools we’ve tried, Discover Cars has been our favorite for years—and we don’t say that lightly. The first time we used it, we were impressed by how easy the booking process was, and we found exactly what we were looking for without any hassle. It’s no surprise that in 2023 it won the award for the world’s best car rental booking site.
But that’s not all! Booking your rental car with Discover Cars comes with advantages you won’t find with other comparison tools:
You can CANCEL up to 48 hours before the reservation.
In many cases, you DON’T HAVE TO PAY EVERYTHING upfront. You can pay part when you book and the rest directly to the rental company when you pick up the car—you choose.
They offer their own FULL COVERAGE so you don’t have to worry about anything.
They have 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT.
There are NO HIDDEN FEES; everything is very transparent.
It allows you to book at the BEST PRICE. And we know that "every company says this," but Discover Cars negotiates prices directly with suppliers to bring you the best deals. Don’t believe us? Check it out here.
How to Book Your Car in Madeira - Step-by-Step Guide
Booking a car with Discover Cars is a very intuitive and easy process. When you visit their website, you’ll find a simple form where you need to provide some basic details:
The location where you want to pick up the car and, if different, where you’ll return it.
The dates and times for pick-up and drop-off.
Other details like your country and age.
Then, you can customize your search according to your preferences. You can choose the type of car you want, the number of seats, whether you need air conditioning, four-wheel drive, or any other feature that’s important to you. You can filter these details in their sidebar (or in the top header if you’re using the mobile version).
Additionally, if you need extras like a baby seat, an additional driver, or a GPS, this is the time to add them to your booking.
Once you’ve completed all these steps, Discover Cars will show you detailed offers. In these offers, you’ll clearly see all the costs, including taxes and any extras you’ve added. This allows you to know exactly what you’re paying for and avoid surprises.
Recommendation: Take Advantage of the FULL COVERAGE!
If you’ve ever rented a car, you know how complicated it used to be to choose between the different insurance options offered by rental companies. Coverage often varied greatly, and it wasn’t always clear what was included.
Now, with FULL COVERAGE, everything is much simpler. This option is offered by the Discover Cars comparison tool, not the rental company itself, and it’s significantly more affordable than traditional insurance.
With full coverage, you won’t have to worry about the excess (the amount you’d need to pay if the car is damaged or stolen), which is typically between €900 and €1,200. If anything happens, this insurance covers that amount and reimburses anything the rental company might charge you, giving you complete peace of mind.
Now, you can rent with complete peace of mind—this is amazing!
You can easily add full coverage during the booking process, and the best part is that it costs just €10–15 per day, far less than what you’d pay for insurance directly from the rental company.
Important! When you arrive at the counter to pick up your car, don’t buy any additional insurance! Even if they offer it to you, with Discover Cars’ full coverage, you don’t need anything else!
Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Madeira
If you’re not used to renting cars, some terms might sound confusing. Here’s a breakdown of the key points to make your rental experience easy and hassle-free. Let’s dive in!
Check the fuel policy: Most rental companies will give you the car with a full tank and expect you to return it the same way. There’s also the option to receive the car with a full tank and return it empty, paying a fixed fuel cost upfront.
We always recommend choosing the full-to-full or same-to-same option. It’s difficult to return the car with an empty tank, and you could lose money. Plus, if you choose the empty return option, the price you’re charged for fuel is usually higher than what you’d pay at a gas station.
Tip: Avoid filling up at the last gas station near the airport—they often have higher prices.
Locate the Pick-Up and Drop-Off Office: Make sure you know where the rental office is to avoid surprises. Some are conveniently located at airports, while others might be in the city center or less accessible areas. Choose the location that works best for you.
Review the Deposit and Deductible Policy: Many companies will block a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit, which is usually equal to the excess. The excess is the amount you’d pay in case of damage. However, if you opt for Discover Cars’ full coverage, you don’t have to worry about this, as they reimburse any charges for damages.
Make Sure Cancellation is Free: Before confirming your booking, check that cancellation is free in case your plans change. With Discover Cars, all reservations can be canceled for free up to 48 hours before pickup.
You’ll Likely Need a Credit Card: Almost all rental companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit. Keep in mind that most do not accept debit cards.
DON’T MISS THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN MADEIRA!
