I-VII 07:00 – 00:00
Guerin is the strongest mainstream pick at Funchal Airport: a 100% Portuguese company in the Salvador Caetano group and Enterprise's Portuguese franchisee, with an in-airport counter, a DiscoverCars rating of 8/10 (8.7/10 across recent reviews) and multiple Excellent Car Rental Service Awards at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport. Reviewers praise the straightforward process, professional staff who do not push insurance, and the absence of hidden charges. Two Madeira-specific tips: the iPad check-in and emailed contract assume you have phone data on landing, and some Guerin cars are larger with electronic handbrakes – ask for a compact you are comfortable hill-starting.
Average daily rates at Funchal Airport (FNC) by season
Booked ~4–6 weeks ahead, EUR
| Season | Manual economy | Manual compact | Automatic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Nov–Feb) | €10–16 | €12–20 | €20–35 |
| Shoulder (Mar–May, Oct) | €18–30 | €22–38 | €35–55 |
| Peak (Jun–Sep, Christmas) | €30–45 | €35–60 | €55–90 |
Guerin’s counter is in the airport itself, so there is no off-airport shuttle. Check-in uses an iPad with the contract emailed to you – have a data connection or airport Wi-Fi ready when you land. The process is quick and the staff helpful.
DiscoverCars 8/10 (8.7/10 recent), in-airport counter, no-pressure service and no hidden charges. The dependable choice if you want a known brand with Enterprise-standard service on the island.
Madeira’s highest-rated locals (~4.8–4.9★) include full zero-excess insurance and a no-deposit option, often cheaper than the chains – the value alternative to Guerin.
Trustpilot ~1.6/5 with upsell and damage complaints.
Madeira scores (2026)
DiscoverCars /10 and Google /5
Guerin includes CDW with an excess blocked on your card and, refreshingly, does not push the upsell. If you want zero exposure, pre-book stand-alone excess insurance (€4–7/day) covering tyres, glass and undercarriage – genuinely useful on Madeira’s mountain roads.
Madeira has zero toll roads – the VR1, every tunnel and mountain pass are free, with no Via Verde device needed. Fuel is regulated and identical everywhere: about €1.82/L petrol and €1.95/L diesel, ~€0.10/L cheaper than the mainland. The terrain is the challenge: gradients to 20%, hairpins, 100+ tunnels. If you are not confident with steep hill starts, book an automatic – clutch damage can cost €500–1,400.
Some Guerin cars are larger with electronic handbrakes; request a manageable car for the gradients.
The iPad check-in and emailed contract need a connection on landing.
Pico do Arieiro above the clouds, Ponta de São Lourenço, the north coast to Porto Moniz and the Paul da Serra plateau are all reachable in a day – toll-free, on steep roads where an automatic and full cover pay off.
Not exactly – Guerin is a 100% Portuguese company in the Salvador Caetano group and Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s official franchisee in Portugal since 2012, so you book Guerin but get Enterprise-standard service.
Yes – DiscoverCars 8/10 (8.7/10 recent reviews), an in-airport counter and multiple Excellent Service Awards at Funchal, with no-pressure service and no hidden charges.
The iPad check-in and emailed contract assume you have phone data on landing, and some cars are larger with electronic handbrakes – ask for a compact you are comfortable hill-starting on steep roads.
Recommended unless you are confident with steep hill starts; gradients reach 20% and clutch damage can cost €500–1,400. The automatic premium is much cheaper.
No – Madeira has zero toll roads. All motorways, tunnels and passes are free and no Via Verde device is needed.
Often – top locals like Madpoint (~4.9★) include full zero-excess insurance and a no-deposit option for less. Guerin is the pick if you prefer a known brand.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. Reviews are based on Trustpilot, Google Maps, traveller forums and direct experience. We only recommend companies we would use ourselves.
Last updated: May 2026. Prices and policies change – always verify directly with the rental company.
