Do You Have to Rent a Car in Madeira? What Past Visitors Say
It's not mandatory, but without your own car you can't see 70% of the island. Public transport in Madeira covers Funchal and the main coastal towns, but doesn't reach the levadas, mountain viewpoints, Pico do Arieiro, Fanal, Porto Moniz or most of the landscapes that make Madeira a unique destination. If your trip is limited to Funchal and organised tours, you can skip the car. To really explore the island, you need one. Book at Discover Cars.
What you CAN see without a car in Madeira
- ✓Funchal's historic centre (on foot)
- ✓Mercado dos Lavradores (on foot)
- ✓Monte cable car and wicker toboggan (public transport or taxi)
- ✓Botanical Garden (bus or taxi)
- ✓Câmara de Lobos (bus from Funchal, 20 min)
- ✓Caniço de Baixo beach (bus)
What you CANNOT see without a car in Madeira
- ✓Pico do Arieiro (no public transport road)
- ✓Porto Moniz and the natural pools (very slow bus, 2.5 hours)
- ✓Cabo Girão (accessible by bus but hard to combine)
- ✓Paul da Serra (no public transport)
- ✓Fanal (no public transport)
- ✓Ponta de São Lourenço (bus to Caniçal, then 3 km on foot)
- ✓Serra de Água (no public transport)
- ✓Most levadas (require a car to reach the trailhead)
Alternatives to a rental car in Madeira
Taxis and Uber: Funchal has good availability. A Funchal-Porto Moniz taxi costs about €60-80 one way. Uber is available in Funchal and surrounding areas but doesn't cover the whole island.
Organised tours: there are operators offering daily excursions to the island's main spots. Comfortable but inflexible on times and prices (€30-60/person per excursion).
Rental car by the day: if you don't want the car every day, you can rent it just for the days you go inland. Most companies rent from 1 day.
How many days do you need the car in Madeira?
| Trip length | Recommended car days |
|---|---|
| 3 days | 2 days (North + Pico do Arieiro) |
| 5 days | 4 days |
| 7 days | 6-7 days |
| 10 days | 7-8 days |
Frequently asked questions about whether you need a car in Madeira
Can you visit Madeira without a driving licence?
Yes, but your experience will be very limited to Funchal and its immediate surroundings. Organised tours cover the main spots but without the flexibility of a car.
Is Madeira's public transport good?
In Funchal, yes. City buses cover the town well. Outside Funchal, service is very limited in frequency and doesn't reach the areas of greatest natural interest.
Are taxis expensive in Madeira?
For short distances (within Funchal) they're reasonable. For long trips (Porto Moniz, Pico do Arieiro, Santana), prices are high compared to the cost of a rental car for the whole day.
Is it worth renting a car for just one day in Madeira?
Yes, especially if it's your only free day. With one day of car hire you can see the north (Porto Moniz and São Vicente) or the interior (Pico do Arieiro and Paul da Serra), the most impressive destinations.