How Much Does Car Hire Cost in Madeira?
Car hire in Madeira is generally affordable by European standards — but prices vary considerably depending on the time of year, how far in advance you book, the car category, and what insurance you include.
Car Hire Prices in Madeira by Category
Mini and City Cars
€18–25 per day
Ideal for couples or solo travellers staying mostly in and around Funchal. Not recommended if you plan to tackle steep mountain roads with heavy luggage.
Economy Cars (e.g. Seat Ibiza, Renault Clio, VW Polo)
€22–30 per day
The most popular category for tourists exploring the island. Comfortable for mountain driving, easy to park, available in manual and automatic.
Compact and Estate Cars
€28–38 per day
Better option for families or travellers with more luggage. More power on steep inclines.
SUVs and Crossovers
€32–45 per day
Popular with families and those who want extra confidence on mountain routes. Not strictly necessary, but adds comfort on winding roads.
What Affects the Price?
Season
High season (June–September) and Christmas/New Year can be 40–60% more expensive than low season (November–March).
Best value months: November, February, and early March.
How Far in Advance You Book
Booking 4–6 weeks ahead typically saves 20–30% compared to booking on arrival or within a week of your trip.
Insurance and Excess
The base rate often includes only basic third-party cover. Full-cover options add €8–18 per day. Buy excess protection before your trip — third-party providers offer the same coverage for €3–5 per day.
Fuel Policy
Most Madeira rental cars use a full-to-full policy: collect full, return full. Avoid full-to-empty policies — you rarely use the whole tank and cannot claim back unused fuel.
Tips to Get the Best Car Hire Price in Madeira
- Book early — especially for summer. Cheapest categories sell out weeks before peak season.
- Use a comparison platform to see live prices from multiple suppliers.
- Choose economy over mini for mountain driving — the small price difference is worth it.
- Sort out insurance before you go — third-party excess cover bought in advance is almost always cheaper than the rental company’s upsell.
- Check for unlimited mileage — for a week of island exploration, you can easily cover 400–600 km.
- Avoid GPS as an extra — Google Maps works perfectly in Madeira with an offline download.