ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RENTING A CAR IN MADEIRA
Renting a car on Madeira Island is the perfect way to experience all the beauty and charm this Portuguese paradise has to offer. With winding roads that offer breathtaking views of the coastline and amazing mountain landscapes, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. Renting a car on Madeira Island is a convenient and affordable way to discover all the hidden gems this island has to offer.
First and foremost, most travelers want to know about the best place to hire a car in Madeira. When I rent a car in Madeira, I recommend and I always use Discover Cars, and you can see why below.
When booking your Madeira car rental online, I personally recommend and always use Discover Cars. They search for both international corporations and local Madeiran companies, so you get the best deal!
The best part about Discover Cars? You can add full coverage insurance for only about 8 Euros per day.
By the end of this blog post, you’re going to feel comfortable with the entire Madeira car rental process and have some helpful tips about driving a rental car in Madeira that will boost your confidence with driving in Madeira.
WHERE TO BOOK A RENTAL CAR ON MADEIRA
When considering where to book your rental from within Madeira, there are a few options.
- Pre-book online before your arrival and pick up the car at the airport
- Pre-book online before your arrival but pick up the car in Funchal
- Organize with a vendor in Funchal or at your hotel (the most expensive option)
The smartest option is to pre-book your car rental and pick it up from the airport. The taxi from the airport to Funchal as of 2022 is about 40 Euros. That is much more than a single day of a car rental when booking online with Discover Cars.
I’ve picked up rental cars from the airport and near Funchal and my experience has always been better at the airport where the staff is very efficient and it is a quick process.
Regardless of the location you choose, I recommend and personally use Discover Cars when hiring a car in Madeira.
I have found Discover Cars has the cheapest Madeira Car rentals, as well as the cheapest Madeira driving insurance. The key is to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for their super low rates. If you book the day before it will be much more expensive.
- Ultimate Luxury: Les Suites at Cliff Bay best location and view
- Best Value: Hotel Alto Lido – Funchal rooftop swimming pool under 100 Euros
- Budget Hostel in Funchal: Santa Maria Hostel is easily the top hostel in Funchal
BOOK YOUR MADEIRA CAR RENTAL IN ADVANCE
I’ve found that if you book your Madeira car rental more than two weeks in advance, the deals you can find are of amazing value. Once it is less than a week until you arrive in Madeira, the prices go up dramatically. Sites like Discover Cars offer free cancellation up until a couple of days before so you should book the rental as soon as you have your flights and you can always change your mind later and cancel the booking. This way you lock in the cheap prices in advance.
TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN MADEIRA
- Make sure to take photos of all scratches and dents on the car. It only takes a few minutes of your time and you never know what proof you will need at the end of the rental. Do the same for the car’s interior looking for any stains or rips.
- Take the same photos and videos when you drop the car off at the end of the rental.
- You will need your reference number and booking ready when you pick up the car.
- Book in advance by at least 2 weeks with Discover Cars to save up to 50%.
SHOULD YOU PURCHASE FULL-COVERAGE INSURANCE
When renting a car on Madeira Island, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether or not to purchase full-coverage insurance. It’s important to consider the potential risks involved in driving on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country. With the steep and narrow roads on Madeira, I wouldn’t risk it on this island to not add on the full-coverage insurance. It is usually just 6-10 Euros extra per day with Discover Cars and can provide peace of mind and protect you from unexpected costs in the event of an accident, theft, or damage to the vehicle.
HOW TO GET A CHEAP RENTAL CAR ON MADEIRA
If you’re looking to save money on car rental in Madeira, there are several things you can do:
- Book early: The earlier you book, the better the deals you’ll find. Booking in advance on Discover Cars can save you up to 50% on rental costs.
- Return the car where you picked it up: Dropping off the car at a different location can incur additional fees, so it’s best to return the car to the same location where you picked it up.
- Book a smaller car: Smaller cars are generally cheaper to rent and also more fuel-efficient, which can save you money on gas.
- Pay attention to pick-up and drop-off times: Car rental companies typically charge per 24-hour period, so returning the car later than the designated time can result in additional charges. Make sure you know the exact pick-up and drop-off times to avoid any extra costs.
- Choose a rental with limited cancellation or without cancellation: Some rental options on Discover Cars offer free cancellation, but these can be more expensive. If you’re sure about your travel plans, choosing a rental with limited or no cancellation can save you money.
- Check prices for a week-long rental: Sometimes, rental companies offer discounts for week-long rentals, even if you only need the car for six days. It’s worth checking to see if this is the case.
- Book with limited mileage: If you don’t plan on driving too much, choosing a rental with limited mileage can save you money. Just make sure you don’t go over the mileage limit, as this can result in additional fees.
DO I NEED A CREDIT CARD TO RENT A CAR ON MADEIRA
You need to have a credit card when picking up the car so the company can put a hold on the deposit amount, which is usually about 2000 Euros. Some companies such as Budget have accepted my debit card but usually, a credit card is required.
DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE TO RENT A CAR IN MADEIRA
You do not need an International Driver’s License. You do need to show your official driver’s license from your home country when you pick up the rental car. Some countries like Japan or Italy require an international driver’s license to rent a car but this is not the case in Madeira and your regular driver’s license will do just fine.
* This article was originally published here
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