Madeira car rentals
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Cheap car hire in Madeira
Top tips for hiring a car in Madeira
- Take in the breathtaking views of the Madeira coastline from the comfort of your very own hired car. The roads on the island are in good condition, so in general, a two-wheel drive will be sufficient for you to get around the island. That being said, there is some steep terrain on the island too, so a 4X4 could come in handy if you are planning to drive off-road or mainly in the mountains. You might also enjoy the use of a convertible car so you can soak up the warm climate, which Madeira boasts throughout the year.
- When you are driving in Madeira, it is very important that you follow the rules that have been put in place by the local authorities. Drink-driving is treated very seriously and a breath test that shows over 0.5 mg of alcohol per ml of blood will result in serious prosecution. It is also mandatory for everyone in the car to wear a seat belt or risk being fined. Children who are under 12 years old or shorter than 150 cm must also be in a child seat. You must also have a warning triangle and reflective jacket with you in the car at all times.
- When you are driving around the island, you will find there are plenty of places for you to park your car. When you are in the island’s capital, Funchal, there are also lots of parking spaces; however, it’s important to note that if the parking space is marked in blue, then it is a pay-and-display bay, so you must find a machine to pay or you risk being fined. You are also not allowed to park facing oncoming traffic, so you must always park on the same side of the road as you are driving.
- Book your rental car in Madeira at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Mini rental cars in Madeira are around 169% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Madeira
Should I hire a car in Madeira?
You should hire a car in Madeira so you can enjoy driving around the island at your own leisure, rather than relying on the schedule of buses and tour groups. For example, if you are based in Funchal and you want to visit The Ruins of St. George Church, then you can get there in about 45min by car, which is under half the time it takes if you opt for a bus. The bus would also drop you about 1.5 km (1 mile) away from the ancient ruins. Car hire is also a far more cost-efficient way to travel than if you were to get a taxi there and back.
What is driving like in Madeira?
When you drive in Madeira, you will find it different to driving back in the United Kingdom. The main difference is that you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road rather than the left. You will also have the steering wheel of your car on the left rather than the right, which might take a bit of time for you to get used to. When it comes to speed limits on the island, these are similar to that of the UK, so you should know how fast you are allowed to drive. In urban areas, you can usually drive up to 50 km/h (31 mph); in rural areas, you can generally drive as fast as 90 km/h (56 mph); whereas on motorways, the upper limit is 120 km/h (75 mph). You will be able to tell how fast you are allowed to drive if you keep an eye out for the signs on the road.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Madeira?
When you are hiring a car in Madeira, it is advised you check the age requirements of the individual companies before you arrive, as they are likely to vary. For example, some companies allow drivers who are 19 years old and who have held their licence for over a year to hire a car, whilst others require you to be older. There is also likely to be a surcharge for drivers that are under a certain age, such as 25. Similarly, those who are below this age will also be limited in which cars they can choose, as many hire companies reserve the more powerful vehicles for the more experienced drivers.
What is the most popular car hire in Madeira?
Economy (Renault Clio or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Madeira.
How can I find car hires near me in Madeira?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Car rental locations in Madeira
Car rental directory
Sunnycars car hire locations in Madeira
10 Locations
7M Rent A Car car hire locations in Madeira
8 Locations
Rodavante car hire locations in Madeira
8 Locations
Insular Car car hire locations in Madeira
5 Locations
WeRent car hire locations in Madeira
5 Locations
Driving Madeira Rent A Car car hire locations in Madeira
4 Locations
FunchalDrive Rent-a-car car hire locations in Madeira
4 Locations
AD Car Rental car hire locations in Madeira
3 Locations
Atlantic Rent A Car car hire locations in Madeira
3 Locations
Autounion Car Rental car hire locations in Madeira
3 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Madeira
3 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Madeira
3 Locations
Good to know
Most popular car type | Mini |
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