'%3E%3Ccircle cx='0' cy='0' r='7' fill='%23fff'%3E%3CanimateTransform attributeName='transform' type='scale' begin='-0.24691358024691354s' calcMode='spline' keySplines='0.3 0 0.7 1;0.3 0 0.7 1' values='0;1;0' keyTimes='0;0.5;1' dur='0.6407407407407407s' repeatCount='indefinite'/%3E%3C/circle%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cg transform='translate(50 50)'%3E%3Ccircle cx='0' cy='0' r='7' fill='%23fff'%3E%3CanimateTransform attributeName='transform' type='scale' begin='-0.12345679012345677s' calcMode='spline' keySplines='0.3 0 0.7 1;0.3 0 0.7 1' values='0;1;0' keyTimes='0;0.5;1' dur='0.6407407407407407s' repeatCount='indefinite'/%3E%3C/circle%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cg transform='translate(75 50)'%3E%3Ccircle cx='0' cy='0' r='7' fill='%23fff'%3E%3CanimateTransform attributeName='transform' type='scale' begin='0s' calcMode='spline' keySplines='0.3 0 0.7 1;0.3 0 0.7 1' values='0;1;0' keyTimes='0;0.5;1' dur='0.6407407407407407s' repeatCount='indefinite'/%3E%3C/circle%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Book a car rental at Madeira Funchal Airport (FNC)
Landing at Madeira Funchal Airport means you are about to explore an island built for scenic travel, where every drive feels like part of the holiday. Travelers come here for dramatic mountain scenery, winding coastal roads, and viewpoints that reveal a different side of Madeira at every turn. With a rental car from FNC Airport, you can follow these scenic routes at your own pace and explore beyond Funchal.
Head towards Cabo Girao, one of Madeira’s most striking viewpoints, or take the winding mountain roads to Curral das Freiras, a village tucked deep within the island’s rugged peaks. With a car, you can take your time at scenic viewpoints, make spontaneous stops, and explore the island your way.
With VIP Cars, you can compare and book from a wide selection of rental deals from leading suppliers. From a compact car for exploring Funchal, an SUV for winding mountain roads, or a larger vehicle for a family or group trip, you can find options for different travel plans and budgets. Once you have your car, Madeira becomes less about following a set itinerary and more about deciding where the road takes you next.
Popular car rental deal types at Funchal Airport
Whether you are visiting Madeira for a short holiday, an extended stay, or a scenic road trip around the island, VIP Cars offers multiple deal types for your FNC Airport car rental.
-
One-way car rental
One-way deals can be useful if your Madeira itinerary lets you pick up your vehicle at Funchal Airport and return it elsewhere. However, availability and drop-off locations vary by supplier, and some providers require the vehicle to be returned to the original pickup location. These deals come with one-way fees depending on the supplier, vehicle category, and selected locations and are usually included in the rental price. Popular one-way routes are:
-
FNC to Porto Moniz
-
FNC to Calheta
-
FNC to Santana
-
FNC to Ponta do Sol
-
-
Short-term car rental
Short-term bookings are well-suited for travelers spending a few days in Madeira and planning to explore Funchal's nearby attractions. For example, a short rental can cover a city stay in Funchal followed by drives to Cabo Girao and Camara de Lobos, both within easy reach of the capital. Travelers can also use the car for a day trip towards Machico or the eastern coast before returning to Funchal. This makes a short-term booking practical for visitors who plan short city trips.
-
Long-term car rental
A longer rental is useful for travelers planning to explore Madeira for several days or months, as the island's attractions are spread across its mountainous interior and coastal regions. Keeping the same vehicle throughout your stay allows you to combine Funchal with longer drives to destinations such as Sao Vicente and Porto Moniz, where the natural swimming pools and north-coast scenery can form part of a full-day itinerary. It also avoids the need to use multiple vehicles for different excursions, making a long-term deal a practical choice for an island-wide road trip. In fact, these bookings often come at a lower daily rental price than short-term rentals.
-
Last-minute car rental
Last-minute car rentals can be an option for travelers making spontaneous plans or deciding to explore Madeira by car after arriving. However, availability can be limited with increased prices, especially during peak season and for popular vehicle categories.
Booking ahead is recommended if you have specific requirements, such as an automatic model, SUV, or larger vehicle.
Funchal Airport: An overview
| Address: | 9100-105 Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal |
|---|---|
| IATA code: | FNC |
Madeira Funchal Airport, officially known as Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, is the main gateway to Madeira and an important connection between the island and destinations across Europe. The airport has a single passenger terminal with dedicated areas for arrivals and departures, supported by check-in facilities, baggage services, security screening, passport control, and boarding areas.
The airport is well equipped for both domestic and international travelers with various passenger facilities as follows:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restaurants and cafes
- Duty-free and retail shops
- Airport lounges
- Baggage services
- Luggage storage
- ATMs
- Currency exchange
- Information desks
- Accessibility services
- Airport parking
- Car rental facilities
Places to explore by car from Funchal Airport
The island’s mountainous terrain means that many viewpoints and attractions are spread across different elevations, making a car useful when you want to combine several stops in one day. From Funchal’s panoramic viewpoints to attractions along the coast, you can plan your trip around the places you want to see rather than depending on fixed transport schedules. Here are popular places and distance from the airport you can consider exploring:
-
Pinaculo Viewpoint
-
Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint
-
Pico Alto Viewpoint
-
Mercado dos Lavradores
VIP Cars’ tips for renting a car at Funchal Madeira Airport (FNC)
-
Prepare for steep and winding roads
Madeira’s mountainous terrain means some routes include steep gradients, sharp bends, and narrow sections. If you are unfamiliar with mountain roads, allow extra time and choose routes you are comfortable driving.
-
If you have flexible plans, use the 'In Terminal’ filter
When comparing rental deals on VIP Cars, select the In Terminal filter to find suppliers located inside the airport terminal. This can save you time at pickup, as traveling would not be required to an off-site location by shuttle or arrange a meet-and-greet service.
-
Choose a small car for Funchal and narrow roads
A mini or economy car can be a practical choice for travelers spending time in Funchal, where a smaller vehicle is easier to drive and park. For longer island drives, consider a vehicle with enough power for the terrain and space for the luggage.
-
Check parking rules before exploring Funchal
Parking in Madeira is marked by coloured lines: blue spaces are paid, white spaces are generally free, and yellow lines indicate no parking. Some white spaces marked with an “M” are reserved for residents.
-
Book your ride in advance
If you are traveling during peak season - June to September or especially August which is said to be the busiest months of all, book your rental car in advance. You will have hundreds of cars to choose from as well as affordable deals from top suppliers.
-
Choose a convertible or luxury car for a better driving experience
Convertibles are appealing for travelers who want to make the most of Madeira’s coastal scenery and open-air drives, only if the weather is suitable. Luxury cars can also be a popular choice for premium holidays, special occasions, or travelers looking for a more comfortable driving experience.
