I-VII 07:00 – 23:45
National operates at Funchal Airport (FNC) on Madeira. There are no tolls anywhere on the island, but the steep mountain roads make an automatic and the right insurance essential – basic cover excludes clutch and undercarriage damage. Low-season economy cars start around €15–25/day ($16–27). This guide covers what to expect from National in Madeira, the real 2026 prices, the island insurance exclusions, and the best-rated local alternatives.
National in Madeira – compare it against Madeira's top-rated locals before booking.
Madeira has a smaller fleet than the mainland, so prices run higher and availability is tighter – especially for automatics. Here is what to expect at FNC in 2026:
Average Daily Rates at Funchal Airport (FNC) by Season
Booked in advance, EUR (USD approx.)
| Season | Manual Economy | Manual Compact | Automatic Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb, excl. Christmas) | €15–25 | €20–35 | €30–45 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €25–40 | €30–48 | €45–65 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep, Christmas) | €40–60 | €45–70 | €60–90 |
Automatics cost €10–20 more per day and sell out 3–6 months ahead for summer and Christmas – book early.
Madeira: Cheapest vs. Most Expensive Months
Average economy car rate, EUR/day, 2025–2026 data
💰 Madeira Rental Budget Calculator
Compare live Madeira prices →Rate prefilled with a typical low-season economy rate; change it for your dates. Many Madeira locals offer no-deposit, all-in rates; the chains hold €1,000–2,000 on a credit card.
National is a premium Enterprise-group brand with a staffed desk in FNC arrivals. Expect a full credit-card deposit in the lead driver's name and a generally smooth counter (Trustpilot ~3.1/5, better than the budget brands). As with all basic cover here, tyre, undercarriage and clutch damage aren't included – keep to sealed roads or add cover.
On Madeira the local firms out-rate the international chains, so line National up against the island's best before booking.
On Madeira the local firms beat the chains. Madpoint rates 4.8/5 across ~460 Google reviews – a ~20-year local with an FNC meet-and-greet, helpful service and good mountain-road advice. One of the best value-for-trust picks on the island.
Autorentacar is a 30-year Madeira local with a 4.9/5 Google rating: FNC and hotel meet-and-greet, cash accepted, and a strong reputation on the island's steep roads. A standout if you prefer a trusted local operator.
DiscoverCars lines up the island's well-rated locals and the chains together, with all-inclusive pricing and free cancellation. Its full-coverage add-on (~€8–15/day) is the cheapest way to cover the mountain-driving risks. Highest-rated rental platform on Trustpilot.
Goldcar offers low Madeira rates but one of the lowest Trustpilot scores (1.5/5): counter insurance pressure, large deposits and fuel traps – and on Madeira, clutch and undercarriage damage on the steep roads is excluded from basic cover. Only with pre-bought full cover and pickup photos.
InterRent (Goldcar/Europcar group) has a 1.2/5 Trustpilot score: cheap rates but heavy counter upsell and a large excess hold, with clutch/mountain/off-road damage excluded. Book it only fully prepaid with zero excess.
Funchal Drive is a well-known island local but reviews are mixed, with reports of damage charges at return and pressure not to photograph the car. Any company that discourages documenting the car is a red flag – film everything if you book it.
Madeira Rental Reputation: Best vs. Worst
Google Maps (local) + Trustpilot, June 2026
Madeira's mountain roads create real risk of clutch, undercarriage and stone-chip damage – all of which basic cover excludes.
Basic CDW with a high excess of €1,000–2,000, blocked on your credit card – and clutch, tyres and undercarriage are typically NOT covered.
Counter “Super CDW” runs about €8–15/day to cut the excess – cheaper here than the mainland, but still more than third-party cover.
Third-party excess cover (~€4–6/day) usually covers clutch and undercarriage – genuinely useful on Madeira. Several top locals (Madpoint, Just Drive) include full cover with zero excess in the base price.
Insurance Cost Comparison: Madeira
7-day rental, 2026 pricing
| Option | Daily Cost | 7-Day Total | Clutch/Undercarriage? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CDW (included) | €0 | €0 | No (€1,000–2,000 excess) |
| Counter Super CDW | €8–15 | €56–105 | Varies |
| Third-party / local all-in | €0–6 | €0–42 | Yes |
Unlike the mainland, Madeira has zero toll roads – the entire VR1 expressway, every tunnel and every mountain pass is free. You do not need a Via Verde transponder or any toll device. Budget €0 for tolls.
| Fuel Type | Madeira Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (gasolina 95) | ~€1.82/L | Government-regulated, identical at all stations |
| Diesel (gasóleo) | ~€1.95/L | Same price island-wide |
Fuel is regulated and identical everywhere on the island, so fill up wherever is convenient. The island is small, so a week of touring uses little fuel.
Madeira's locals (Madpoint, Autorentacar, RentADrive) out-rate the chains, often include full insurance and accept debit or no deposit. Compare them first.
Automatics are safer on the mountain roads and sell out 3–6 months ahead for summer and Christmas – reserve as soon as your flights are set.
Basic cover excludes the two things most likely to go wrong here – pre-book third-party cover (~€4–6/day) or a local all-in rate.
Madeira is toll-free, so once you've sorted the car and cover, fuel is your only running cost.
Madeira is one of Europe's best driving islands – and with no tolls anywhere, the only cost is fuel.
The drive to Madeira's third-highest peak (1,818 m) climbs above the clouds on clear mornings – one of the most spectacular roads in Europe. Paved to the summit car park.
The island's barren, dramatic eastern tip – red volcanic cliffs and ocean on both sides, with a classic 3 km hiking trail and free trailhead parking.
The ER101 along the north coast is Madeira's most dramatic coastal drive, ending at the volcanic rock pools of Porto Moniz.
The island's only high plateau and the mountain pass linking the north and south coasts, through UNESCO laurel forest.
No – Madeira has zero tolls. Every motorway, tunnel and mountain pass is free, and you don't need a Via Verde transponder.
Strongly recommended – steep hill-starts wear manual clutches and rental companies charge €500–1,400 for clutch damage. Automatics cost a little more and sell out early, so book ahead.
Both options exist: the big brands have staffed desks at Funchal Airport (FNC, some with a short shuttle), while most local firms do a meet-and-greet with a name sign and the car in the car park.
The island locals rate highest: Autorentacar (4.9), Madpoint (4.8) and RentADrive (4.7), plus DiscoverCars (4.6) for comparing. Be cautious with the cheapest chains (InterRent 1.2, Goldcar 1.5) for upsell and mountain-damage exclusions.
Low-season economy from ~€15–25/day; peak summer and Christmas reach €40–60+/day, with automatics €10–20 more. Book early.
Yes – basic cover excludes clutch, tyres and undercarriage, which are exactly the mountain-road risks. Take third-party cover (~€4–6/day) or a local all-in rate.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. Our company reviews are based on current Trustpilot and Google Maps ratings and traveler feedback. We only recommend companies we would use ourselves.
Last updated: June 2026. Prices and policies change – always verify directly with the rental company.
