I-VII 09:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 19:00
Key takeaway: Sixt has been operating at Funchal Airport (FNC) since 2008 and runs the largest premium fleet on the island – about 380 cars including the only BMW, Mercedes and Audi available in Madeira. Daily rates 2026 start from 22 euros (24 dollars) for economy and 38 euros for premium SUVs in low season; July-August peak rises to 35-55 euros economy and 65-95 euros premium. Better than budget operators (Goldcar, Yes Rent) for clear pricing, but usually more expensive than well-rated local Madeira companies such as Madeira Rent.
Sixt is a German international car rental chain founded in 1912, present in 110+ countries. Sixt Portugal is operated as a local subsidiary; the Madeira operation includes two offices: Funchal Airport (FNC) main desk and Funchal Lido city office. The fleet emphasises premium German brands – Madeira's only consistent access to BMW 1, BMW 3, Mercedes A-Class, Audi A3, Audi Q3.
Economy (Renault Clio, Hyundai i20): 22-32 euros / day low season; 35-55 euros peak · Compact (VW Golf, Audi A1): 28-42 euros · Premium SUV (Audi Q3, BMW X1): 38-62 euros low; 65-95 euros peak · Sports / Cabriolet (BMW 2 Cabriolet): 75-145 euros · Monthly economy: from 580 euros low season, 1,100 euros peak.
Estimated rental cost by trip length
from €22/day
Illustrative — daily rate × days at the lowest 2026 starting price; real prices vary by season & demand.
Funchal Rental Budget Calculator
Rate prefilled with Sixt's lowest low-season economy price – change it for your dates and season.
Sixt desk in the Rent-a-Car zone A (the closest to the arrivals exit). 380-space fleet, 4-minute walk from baggage claim. Express pickup for online bookings: under 5 minutes. Open 6:00 to 23:30 (after-hours key safe available for 30 euros).
Sixt city office on Avenida do Infante 38 in the Lido district. 80-car fleet, 09:00-19:00 Monday-Saturday. Skip the 5-euro airport concession but accept smaller fleet. Best for travellers already in Funchal who decide to rent mid-trip.
Largest premium fleet on the island. Best for travellers prioritising newer German cars (BMW, Mercedes, Audi). Transparent pricing; no surprise upsells at counter. Google Maps 3.8/5 for the Madeira Airport desk (1,902 reviews). On Trustpilot, Sixt Portugal has 2.0/5 and sixt.com 4.4/5.
Madeira company with a desk in car park P4 at the airport and an office in Funchal. 4.6/5 on Google Maps for the airport desk (2,108 reviews) and 4.4/5 on Trustpilot (259 reviews).
Local Madeira operator that also offers monthly rentals. Its ratings are weak: 2.7/5 on Google Maps for the Funchal office (351 reviews), 3.3/5 for the airport listing (178) and 1.5/5 on Trustpilot (34 reviews).
Lowest advertised rates, but the weakest reviews: 1.8/5 on Google Maps for the Madeira Airport desk (249 reviews) and 1.3/5 on Trustpilot (54,792 reviews). Avoid unless you carry independent insurance.
Madeira Rent 4.6 (2,108) · 4.4 (259) · Yes! Madeira Rent a Car 4.9 (73) · no Trustpilot profile · Sixt 3.8 (1,902) · 2.0 (sixt.pt) · Drive On Holidays / Movida 3.1 (760) · 1.5 (748) · Bravacar 2.7 (351) · 1.5 (34) · Goldcar 1.8 (249) · 1.3 (54,792).
Compare Sixt with all Madeira operators on the same date:
Check live rates through DiscoverCarsSixt's standard rental includes CDW with 1,500-2,500 euros excess (depending on car class). The narrow Madeira mountain roads make minor body damage common – one mirror clip at Câmara de Lobos road costs 600+ euros to repair without full cover.
Sixt Premium Cover 14 euros (15 dollars) per day – covers body, wheels, undercarriage, side mirrors with zero excess. Often more expensive than the full insurance offered by local companies, but easier to claim through the Sixt app.
RentalCover or Insurance4CarHire 35-80 euros per year (39-88 dollars). You pay the Sixt excess upfront then claim back within 14 days. Worth it if you rent more than 5 days.
Madeira's main motorway VR1 is toll-free. The island is 740 km² – you can drive the full perimeter in one long day. Sixt cars are equipped with Madeira-region winter tyres in November-March (mandatory above 1,200 m altitude).
| Route | Distance | Time | Toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNC airport – Funchal centre | 18 km | 25 min | Free |
| Funchal – Pico do Arieiro | 22 km | 40 min | Free (no winter toll) |
| Funchal – Câmara de Lobos | 9 km | 15 min | Free |
| Funchal – Cabo Girão | 22 km | 35 min | Free |
| Funchal – Porto Moniz | 75 km | 1h 30min | Free |
| Funchal – Santana | 43 km | 50 min | Free |
FNC airport peaks in summer 5 weeks ahead. Sixt online rates drop 20-30% if you book in early April for a July trip vs walking up at the desk in July.
DiscoverCars, Rentalcars and Kayak compare Sixt with local Madeira companies in one search. If you specifically need a BMW or Audi, Sixt is the only choice.
Free joining program. Express pickup line (under 5 minutes vs 15-20 minutes standard queue). 5% discount on all bookings. Mobile app for self-service.
Lido city office saves the 5-euro airport surcharge. Useful for 7+ day rentals where the savings compound.
Always choose full-to-full. Funchal airport has three Galp and two BP stations within 1 km – cheaper than the in-city Petrol station.
28+ days: flat monthly rate from Sixt is 580-1,100 euros vs daily-multiplied. Worth extending a 24-day rental to 28 days for the discount.
Check live Sixt rates and compare to local operators:
Compare through DiscoverCarsSee also
Disclosure: Auto Jardim earns commission on rentals booked through DiscoverCars. We only recommend operators we have independently checked.
Last fact-checked: 5 August 2026. Primary sources: Sixt Portugal official site (sixt.pt) and price list, Trustpilot Sixt Madeira page, Funchal Airport (ANA Aeroportos) rental-zone map, Lobo Marinho Porto Santo ferry tariff.
