I – VII 07:00-23:00
Goldcar at Funchal Airport (FNC) follows the same playbook as elsewhere: low headline price from €10 / $11 a day off-season, then heavy counter pressure for “Super Relax” cover at €13-17 / $14-18 per day. Trustpilot global score sits at 1.6 / 5 across 28,000+ reviews — one of the lowest in the rental industry. Goldcar Madeira specifically: 3.7 / 5 on Google across 1,200+ reviews. Only worth using if you arrive with standalone insurance, decline upsells firmly, and document the car with a full walk-around video. Madeira's mountain terrain makes the risks more expensive than on the mainland.
Counter outside FNC arrivals (turn right after baggage claim). Free shuttle to the lot 1 km off-airport, 5-10 minute ride. Open 07:00-23:00 daily, out-of-hours by request (€30 / $33 fee).
| Class | Models | Low season | Peak Jul-Aug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | Fiat 500, Kia Picanto | €10 / $11 | €42 / $46 |
| Compact | Hyundai i20, Renault Clio | €14 / $15 | €48 / $52 |
| Mid-size | Hyundai i30, Peugeot 308 | €22 / $24 | €58 / $63 |
| SUV | Hyundai Kona, Dacia Duster | €28 / $30 | €68 / $74 |
| 7-seater | Citroën Berlingo | €48 / $52 | €95 / $103 |
Madeira FNC review scores comparison
Trustpilot + Google May 2026 — pick your operator carefully
Across 1,200+ Google reviews and 28,000+ Trustpilot reviews globally, the same pattern emerges:
The cars themselves are generally fine. The risk is at the counter, at drop-off, and in Madeira's mountain terrain.
Exit FNC arrivals, turn right, find the Goldcar kiosk under the orange sign. Wait for the shuttle (5-10 min in low season, 30+ in summer afternoons). At the lot, expect a 10-15 minute counter conversation about Super Relax. Walk-around is the most important step — take a timestamped video of every panel, undercarriage if possible, and the clutch pedal position. Keep the video for 90 days.
Goldcar's base CDW has a €2,500 / $2,720 excess — the highest at FNC. Super Relax (€0 excess) costs €13-17 / $14-18 per day. Standalone third-party (RentalCover, iCarhireinsurance) covers the same risk for €4-6 / $4-7 per day. With Goldcar Madeira specifically, standalone is the recommended path because their counter Plus cover has documented exclusions (tyres, undercarriage, clutch often not included).
Like the rest of Madeira, there are zero toll roads. The VR1 motorway, every tunnel and every mountain pass is free. Budget €0 for tolls.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| FNC → Funchal centre | 20 km | 25 min |
| FNC → Câmara de Lobos | 30 km | 40 min |
| FNC → Pico do Arieiro | 40 km | 50 min |
| FNC → Porto Moniz (NW) | 85 km | 1h25 |
| FNC → Ponta de São Lourenço (E) | 20 km | 25 min |
Madpoint (4.9 / 5), Autorentacar (4.8 / 5), Just Drive Madeira (4.8 / 5) include full insurance, accept debit cards, and have zero-deposit options. The €10 / $11 Goldcar headline often becomes €24-30 / $26-33 after Super Relax — more expensive than a local with insurance included.
RentalCover or iCarhireinsurance — book in advance, save 50 % vs counter Super Relax.
Class upgrade, Super Relax, prepaid fuel, GPS. All of them.
Eliminates Goldcar's €600-1,200 / $654-1,308 clutch-damage risk on Pico do Arieiro and Encumeada.
Goldcar's post-rental damage disputes are the #1 issue. A timestamped 360° video protects you.
Refuse dynamic currency conversion at the contract step. Goldcar is the worst offender for DCC fees.
Top picks: Câmara de Lobos → Cabo Girão → Ribeira Brava south-coast loop, Pico do Arieiro at sunrise (book automatic), the dramatic ER101 north-coast drive to Porto Moniz, and the volcanic Ponta de São Lourenço hike at the eastern tip.
Mixed. The cars are generally fine but the counter and drop-off experience is the most aggressive at FNC. Use Goldcar only with standalone insurance and a walk-around video. Trustpilot global is 1.6 / 5, Google FNC is 3.7 / 5.
Headline price is among the lowest, but the all-in price (after Super Relax + clutch insurance) usually exceeds Madpoint, Just Drive or Autorentacar with insurance included. Always compare all-in.
€2,500 / $2,720 on a credit card — the highest at FNC. Debit cards usually refused. Hold can take 14+ days to release after drop-off.
Only if you have no other insurance. Standalone third-party policies (RentalCover, iCarhireinsurance) cover the same risk at half the price AND typically include tyres, undercarriage, clutch that Super Relax sometimes excludes.
Generally no — Goldcar does not allow ferry use to Porto Santo. Madpoint and a few local operators do allow it.
21 with a young-driver surcharge of €10-15 / $11-16 per day up to age 25. SUV / 7-seater classes require 23+.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program at no extra cost to you. Information verified 19 May 2026 against Trustpilot Goldcar global page, Google Maps Goldcar FNC branch, and traveller forum reports.
