Car rental in Funchal – Gateway to Madeira Island

Yes - you will be asked to present a valid credit card in the name of the main driver when you arrive to collect your car rental in Funchal. It will be used as a security deposit by the local vehicle provider who will want to place a certain amount on hold which is promptly returned once the car has been returned undamaged. It's important to note that you will need to have enough credit on your card to cover the deposit. Please also be aware that neither cash, a debit or pre-paid card will be accepted - just a major credit card such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc. If you do not manage to present a valid credit card in the name of the main driver then you run the risk of not being able to collect the car and as a result might losing your booking. In the case of high performance luxury-category cars, the local car hire supplier may also ask for a second credit card (also in the main driver’s name), so please be aware that you might be required to provide two credit cards instead of just one. Further information can be found in the credit cards and deposits section of our website. To confirm which credit cards are accepted for your booking, you can easily find this information when making a quick search through Auto Europe's state-of-the-art booking engine by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) in the car details, where you'll find it in the Mandatory Deposit Information and Supplier Payment Policy Information sections.

The first thing to remember when renting a car in Funchal is that Auto Europe's standard rates always include the minimum amount of legally-required Liability Insurance and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), as Theft Protection cover (TP). For additional peace of mind, many Auto Europe customers choose to pay a little extra for our added-value Full Damage Protection policy which protects drivers against all kinds of unexpected incidents on the road. Please consult our dedicated Car Rental Coverage page for in-depth explanations concerning the different options you have available. Please note that some drivers may be subject to certain age restrictions which might also affect the cost of their car hire coverage.

Although the city of Funchal has more traffic than anywhere else on the island of Madeira, it never gets overly congested, even during the rush-hour. When driving your car hire in Funchal you'll find that most of the local driving rules and regulations are the same as Lisbon and Porto on mainland Portugal and the rest of Europe as a whole. Generally speaking, the roads are in a good state of repair, even in the more mountainous parts of the island, although in some parts they tend to be quite narrow and winding, which calls for a higher level of concentration. In urban areas, the speed limit is 50 kph (31 mph), 90 kph (56 mph) in rural areas and 120 kph (75 mph) on motorways.

It's important to pay special attention to pedestrians walking beside the roads that don't have pavements, particularly hikers (Madeira is a very popular walking destination), so it's best to give them priority when passing. If you are planning to drive into the mountains, before you begin your journey it's always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the road conditions, including the steep inclines, sharp bends and narrow passages of the island's interior. Be prepared for all weather conditions because the weather in and around Funchal can be unpredictable, with rain, fog and sudden changes in temperature to be expected the higher you go. It is technically possible to travel around the island in a day but our advice is to take your time and enjoy the scenery because there's a beautiful view to be enjoyed at every turn!

The good news is that the city of Funchal is very well organised for motorists and has a wide choice of places to park, from parking in shopping centres to on-street parking in and around the centre. Some car parks are indoor, while some of the city's hotels offer spaces to tourists not actually staying there, which means there's a broad selection of parking options for your car hire in Funchal. Please be aware that most car parks are paid but not overly expensive compared to many other European cities. If the space is marked in blue, then make sure you don't forget to go to the nearest parking meter to buy your ticket and place it visibly inside the car, preferably on top of the dashboard. The spaces marked in white are reserved for local residents, which means that you cannot park there, but if you do then you can expect a hefty fine! It's best to plan all the possible parking options before setting out on your journey to avoid stress and enjoy your stay to the full.

No. Travelling off Madeira is strictly prohibited with all the providers of car rental in Funchal and all other parts of the island.