I-VI 08:30 – 12:30 and14:30 – 18:00
Bravacar is a Madeira-based independent rental company with two pickup desks in Funchal (city centre + Funchal Airport). Their fleet is mid-sized and they sit in the budget-friendly tier, with daily rates from about €18 / $20 in low season and €40-55 / $44-60 in peak summer. Google Maps rating sits at 4.2 / 5 across 600+ reviews (May 2026).
Bravacar has two locations, both in Funchal. The airport desk is the most popular because most visitors fly in to FNC.
Counter inside the arrivals terminal. Free shuttle to the lot 200 m away. Open 08:00-23:00. Best option if you fly in — you can be on the road within 25 minutes of landing.
Small office near the marina, useful if you're already in town and decide to rent mid-trip. Limited fleet at this branch.
The fleet is dominated by city cars and small SUVs, which suit Madeira's narrow mountain roads. Don't expect luxury — the strength is reliability and price.
| Class | Typical model | Off-season / day | Peak summer / day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Fiat 500, Hyundai i10 | €18 / $20 | €40 / $44 |
| Compact | Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 | €22 / $24 | €48 / $52 |
| Mid-size | Renault Megane, Peugeot 2008 | €28 / $30 | €55 / $60 |
| Compact SUV | Dacia Duster, Hyundai Kona | €32 / $35 | €65 / $71 |
| 7-seater | Renault Trafic, Citroën Berlingo | €48 / $52 | €85 / $93 |
If you book online and arrive on time, the average pickup takes 20-25 minutes. Bring the booking confirmation (printed or on phone), your driver's licence, the credit card used to book and your passport.
The base price includes CDW (collision damage waiver) and theft protection, with an excess of around €1,200 / $1,310. To reduce it to zero, Bravacar offers “Super CDW” at €12-15 / $13-16 per day at the counter. A standalone policy via RentalCover or iCarHireInsurance typically costs €4-6 / $4-7 per day.
Madeira has NO tolls on its motorways — a rare bonus among European islands. You'll pay only fuel and the occasional levada parking fee.
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNC → Funchal centre | 20 km | 25 min | VR1 motorway, scenic |
| FNC → Câmara de Lobos | 30 km | 40 min | Easy |
| FNC → Ponta do Sol | 50 km | 55 min | Through tunnels |
| FNC → Porto Moniz | 85 km | 1h25 | Scenic north coast |
| FNC → São Vicente | 65 km | 1h10 | Across the island |
Bravacar prices rise steeply between 21 and 7 days before pickup, especially July-September.
Bravacar isn't always the cheapest. Drive on Holidays, Localcar and Goldcar sometimes undercut them by 10-20 % for the same dates.
Standard hold is €1,200 / $1,310 on your credit card. Plan around it if your card limit is tight.
Compare Bravacar Funchal with all other Madeira rental companies in one search. See live prices, fleet age, ratings and exact pickup addresses:
Compare car rental in Funchal on DiscoverCarsFill up at the BP near the airport on return — it's cheaper than the prepaid tank.
The city desk has half the fleet of the airport branch. In August you may be offered a worse car class than booked.
Refuse “dynamic currency conversion” — it costs 4-7 % extra.
Madeira is made for road-tripping. Top loops: Câmara de Lobos → Cabo Girão → Ribeira Brava (south coast), Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo (mountain), São Vicente → Porto Moniz (north coast). All driveable in a small compact.
Yes. They've been operating in Madeira for over 25 years and hold a 4.2 / 5 Google rating across 600+ reviews. Most complaints concern counter upselling, not the car itself.
Yes, with no extra fee. Confirm the drop-off slot at pickup so the city branch is staffed when you arrive.
Only on certain bookings and with a higher deposit (€1,500 / $1,635 vs €1,200 / $1,310 on credit). Most travellers use a credit card to avoid the higher hold.
Usually yes, but you must declare it at booking. They may charge a small ferry-use fee and require additional insurance.
21, with a young-driver surcharge up to 25. Some SUV / 7-seater classes require 23+.
Open 08:00-23:00 daily. For flights arriving after 23:00 you must arrange a late pickup in advance — there's a €30 / $33 out-of-hours fee.
Disclosure: we earn a commission if you book through our partner DiscoverCars at no extra cost to you. Information verified on 19 May 2026 against bravacar.com, Madeira Airport official directory and current Google Maps reviews of both Bravacar branches.
