How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Madeira? Real Prices by Season in 2026
Renting a car in Madeira costs between €18 and €75 per day depending on vehicle type and season. A small economy car like the Fiat Panda starts from €18/day in low season (November-March) and from €38/day in August. With zero-excess full insurance, add €3-8 more per day. For a week in mid-season, the usual budget ranges from €150 to €280 all included. Compare real, up-to-date prices at Discover Cars.
Car hire prices in Madeira by vehicle type and season
This is the most complete reference table for planning your budget. Prices correspond to rates with basic CDW insurance, unlimited mileage and pickup at Funchal Airport.
| Vehicle type | Examples | Low season (Nov-Mar) | Mid season (Apr-Jun, Oct) | High season (Jul-Sep) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Fiat Panda, Citroën C1 | €18 – €24/day | €25 – €35/day | €38 – €55/day |
| Economy | Seat Ibiza, Renault Clio | €22 – €30/day | €30 – €42/day | €45 – €62/day |
| Compact | VW Polo, Opel Astra | €26 – €36/day | €36 – €50/day | €52 – €70/day |
| Small SUV | Seat Arona, Nissan Juke | €32 – €45/day | €45 – €62/day | €65 – €90/day |
| Automatic | Toyota Yaris Hybrid | €28 – €40/day | €38 – €55/day | €55 – €80/day |
| Family | Skoda Octavia, VW Golf | €38 – €52/day | €50 – €70/day | €70 – €100/day |
Low season: November, December (except Christmas), January, February, March
Mid season: April, May, June, October
High season: July, August, September + Easter + Christmas and New Year
The real cost of a week's hire in Madeira: a full example
To understand the total cost, add the base price plus the most common extras.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| 7-day rental (Seat Ibiza, mid-season) | €210 |
| Basic CDW insurance (included) | €0 |
| Upgrade to zero-excess full cover | +€35 (€5/day) |
| Additional driver | +€35 (€5/day) |
| Child seat | +€35 (€5/day) |
| GPS | +€35 (€5/day) |
| Total without extras | €210 |
| Total with full insurance | €245 |
| Total with all extras | €350 |
Most couples travelling without children spend between €210 and €280 for a week, including full insurance. Families with a child seat rise to €280-350.
What's included in Madeira's base rental price
When you see an advertised price on a comparison site, this is usually what's included:
Always included:
- ✓Unlimited mileage (on most Madeira offers)
- ✓Basic third-party liability insurance (TPL)
- ✓Basic CDW cover with excess
Not included in the base price:
- ✓Zero-excess full insurance
- ✓Tyre, window and undercarriage cover
- ✓Additional driver
- ✓Child seat or booster
- ✓GPS
- ✓Fuel (paid separately)
- ✓Young driver surcharge (21-24 years)
The trick many companies use is showing a very low base price and adding extras at the counter. To avoid surprises, compare the total price including the insurance you're actually going to take out.
How much does rental insurance cost in Madeira?
Insurance is the expense that varies most and confuses most. Here are the real options:
Basic CDW insurance (included in almost all rates):
Covers collision damage, but has an excess of €500-€1,500. If you have an accident, you pay that amount before insurance covers the rest. It also doesn't cover tyres, windows or undercarriage.
Zero-excess full cover (€3-8/day extra):
Removes the excess. Any damage to the vehicle is covered at no extra cost to you. It's the most recommended option for Madeira given the type of roads.
Tyre, window and undercarriage cover (€2-5/day extra):
Specific to the most common damage on the island. Sometimes included in full cover, sometimes needs adding separately. Ask explicitly.
Recommendation for Madeira: always take out zero-excess full cover including tyres and undercarriage. Mountain roads and dirt tracks to viewpoints make small damage more common than in flat destinations.
When is it cheapest to rent a car in Madeira?
The cheapest period is February and March, outside Easter. Prices can be up to 60% lower than August.
Ranking of months from cheapest to most expensive:
- 1January and February — historic low
- 2March (except Easter) — very cheap
- 3November and first half of December — good value
- 4October — mid-season, good weather
- 5May and June — mid-season, starting to rise
- 6April (Easter) — high-season prices
- 7September — still expensive, starting to drop
- 8July and August — the year's peak
Is it cheaper to book ahead or last minute?
Booking ahead is almost always cheaper. In Madeira, car availability is limited because the island is small and summer demand is very high.
- ✓6-8 weeks ahead in July-August: you can save 30-50% compared to the last-minute price
- ✓3-4 weeks ahead in mid-season: 15-25% saving
- ✓In low season: the difference is smaller, but booking ahead guarantees availability of the model you want
In August, small cars frequently sell out. If you book with under 2 weeks' notice, you may only find SUVs or higher categories at very high prices.
Price comparison: international companies vs local operators in Madeira
Madeira's local operators are usually 10-25% cheaper than the big chains for the same vehicle category.
| Company type | Average price/week (economy, mid-season) | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| International chains (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) | €280 – €350 | Brand guarantee, newer fleet | Higher price, bigger deposit |
| Low cost (Goldcar, OK Mobility) | €200 – €260 | Low price | Aggressive counter extras |
| Local operators (RosCar, Auto Jardim) | €175 – €230 | Competitive price, friendly service | Less presence on comparison sites |
The best strategy is to use Discover Cars to see all options in one search, including local operators that don't appear on general search engines like Kayak or Booking.
Frequently asked questions about car hire prices in Madeira
How much does it cost to rent a car in Madeira in August?
In August, a small economy car costs €38-55 per day with basic insurance. With zero-excess full cover, add €5-8 more per day. A full week in August costs €300-440 for a small car with full insurance.
Is it cheaper to rent at the airport or in central Funchal?
At the airport it's usually slightly cheaper because there are more companies and more competition. Some central Funchal companies offer similar prices but with free airport delivery.
Does the price include fuel?
No. Fuel is always separate. The usual policy is to receive the car with a full tank and return it full. If you return it with less fuel, the company charges a price much higher than at a petrol station.
Are there tolls in Madeira?
No. Madeira's roads, including the fast roads, are free. There are no tolls of any kind.
How much does an automatic car cost to rent in Madeira?
Automatics cost €5-15 more per day than the manual equivalent. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is the most common automatic and starts from €28/day in low season.
Can I get a discount for renting more than 7 days?
Yes. Most companies apply progressive discounts from 7 days onward. 10-14 day rentals can be 10-20% cheaper per day than 5-7 day rentals.
Does the price vary by pickup airport or city?
Madeira only has one airport (Funchal/FNC). City pickup prices are usually similar to or slightly higher than airport prices due to the operator's travel costs.