Madeira car rentals

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.

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.

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.

Premium (Mercedes-Benz V-Class or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Madeira.

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.