Madeira car rental: do you need one?
Many sights and trailheads lie far apart, and public transport to the mountains is thin. A car gives you freedom, especially for Fanal, the Paúl da Serra plateau and the west coast. You can also do much of Madeira without one: from Funchal you can reach the market, the cable car, the gardens and the coast by bus, taxi or tour.
This page does not list rental companies or rental prices, because they change with season and demand. It covers what is worth knowing before you drive. The sources for the driving rules below are secondary sources, not an official traffic authority, so check the signs and your rental contract.
Driving in Madeira: the rules and the reality
What the secondary sources agree on.
No tolls, many tunnels
The island has no toll system, and the more than 100 tunnels are free. Use dipped headlights in tunnels.
Speed limits
Sources disagree on the numbers, so we give none. Follow the signs. There are radar checks.
Alcohol and licence
The limit is 0.5 g/l according to secondary sources. Bring a physical driving licence. A digital copy may not be accepted by the rental company.
Age and deposit
Drivers aged 18 to 20 may pay a deposit of up to €600 with some companies. Read the contract before you book.
Mountain roads
Roads in the interior are narrow and steep. Fog is common on the Paúl da Serra and around Pico do Arieiro. Drive slowly, use a low gear on the way down and keep your distance on bends.
Road closures
Roads can close at short notice. The road between Pico do Arieiro and Eira do Serrado was closed on 2 July 2026.
Our picks: without a car
Let someone else drive the mountain roads.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal 4WD tour
An open Land Rover with a guide and pick-up in central Funchal. The Cabo Girão skywalk (€5) and the Porto Moniz pools (€3) are paid on top.
Check availability →
Guided levada walk in the Rabaçal valley
Hotel pick-up, transport and a guide. The nature fee is not included and is paid to the operator on the day.
Check availability →
Pico do Arieiro sunrise hiking transfer
Hotel pick-up in Funchal and Caniço and a driver, but no guide. You book the PR1 trail fee yourself on SIMplifica.
Check availability →Madeira tours and activities
Guided levada walks, sunrise trips to Pico do Arieiro, jeep tours and whale-watching boats, with live prices and availability.
Parking at trailheads and viewpoints
Parking is the weak point, especially in the mountains.
Pico do Arieiro
The forest institute has run paid car parks here since 2024. In 2024 the daily maximum was €20, with the first 30 minutes free, but this may be out of date. No parking reservation is known. A 2024 report said rental cars were no longer allowed to drive up to the radar area, but we cannot confirm the current rule.
Pico do Arieiro →Queimadas
At the forest park for the Caldeirão Verde levada, parking costs €2.00 per hour according to the official trail page.
Levada walks →Cabo Girão
Parking at the skywalk is limited, according to a secondary source. Arrive early. Entry is €5 since 1 January 2026.
Cabo Girão →
The one-way problem
Several walks end somewhere else. The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo route finishes at Achada do Teixeira or the Vereda da Ilha, and the Fanal route runs 10.8 km from Assobiadores to Fanal. With one car you need a taxi, a transfer or a guided walk. Public transport to Pico do Arieiro is practically absent, according to a secondary source.
Buses, the Aerobus and taxis
The alternatives to a car.
The Aerobus
Line 500 runs from the airport to Funchal. It costs €6.70 for adults and €3.30 for children in 2026, and on board you can pay only in cash. A prepaid ticket on a GIRO card costs €5.55. Secondary sources give the first departure at 8:30 from the airport and the last at 22:00.
Madeira airport →Island buses
The regional network is called SIGA and has several operators. Since 22 January 2026 tourist tickets exist: a daily ticket (1 to 7 days, by zone, without the Aerobus), a regional tourist ticket for the whole island including the Aerobus, and an Aerobus ticket. Check the current prices before you travel. On board, you pay cash only.
Taxis
Airport taxis start at a base fare of €4.00 on weekdays, plus 20 % between 21:00 and 06:00 and all day on weekends and public holidays. A bag or an animal adds €1.50. Ask for the fare to Funchal before you set off.
How to decide
Car, bus or tour.
Base in Funchal, no car
Use the Aerobus, buses and taxis for the town and Monte. Book a tour for the mountains and the north.
Where to stay →Several trailheads
Rent a car for a few days only and plan walks that start and end at the same place.
Staying in the north or west
A car is close to a must. Distances are long and buses are slow.
Nervous about steep roads
Choose a jeep tour or a guided walk with a transfer. The tours page compares them.
Tours compared →Plan the rest of your trip
Useful pages before you decide.
Car hire in Madeira: airport or Funchal?
Car hire in Madeira pays off on the days with several trailheads, or when you stay in the north or west. If you rent a car at the airport, you reach Funchal in roughly 20 to 25 minutes by road. If you spend your first days in town, the Aerobus and taxis are enough, and you can pick up a car later for a few days only.
Funchal car hire for a few days
Funchal car hire suits a plan with a base in town and a car for the trailhead days. Choose walks that start and end at the same place, so you do not need a taxi or a transfer back.
Madeira car rental: frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Madeira?
Not for Funchal and Monte. For the mountains, Fanal and the west coast a car helps a lot, otherwise you rely on tours and taxis.
Are there tolls in Madeira?
No. According to secondary sources the island has no toll system, and the more than 100 tunnels are free.
Is parking a problem?
At popular spots, yes. Pico do Arieiro has paid parking, Queimadas costs €2.00 per hour, and the Cabo Girão car park is small.
Can I take the bus to the trailheads?
For some, but not all. There is practically no public transport to Pico do Arieiro. Check the bus connections to the other trailheads before you go.
How much does a rental car cost?
We do not list rental prices, because they change with the season. Compare current offers for your dates and read the deposit rules.