Renting A Car from Madeira Airport

Know Before Your Fly

When you’re planning a vacation to the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, one important issue is deciding how to get around the island to see what’s on offer – whether that’s the beaches, watersports, historic and religious landmarks, food and drink offerings, shopping, and more.

Renting a car can be an excellent choice, because you will complete autonomy with deciding when and where you travel each day on your holiday, creating your own itinerary to fit around your schedule rather than having to rely on public bus schedules or expensive taxis.

Picking the right make and model of rental car will depend on your unique needs, based on factors like how many people you are traveling with and how much space you need for luggage. Most car models from budget to luxury are suitable for driving around the island, and the exact cost will depend on the type of car that you choose and for how long you decide to rent it.

There are many narrow and winding roads throughout the island, so driving within the speed limits is always recommended. And you do not have to drive along the tight mountain roads for some destinations, because there are modern tunnels that cut through some of the mountains. This is ideal for those more novice drivers who might be nervous about driving on older roads.

Rules of the road when driving around Madeira

It’s important that you fully understand the laws and regulations that apply to driving in Madeira, because police on the island can fine or arrest you for violating any of these requirements. Learning the rules of the road is a great way to ensure a stress-free time when in your car.

• All vehicles must drive on the right side of the road here, so if you are from a country where cars drive on the left side of the road you should prepare for this change.
• The minimum age at which you can drive a car in Madeira is 18 years old, but some rental car companies might require that the driver be even older.
• Another important age restriction is that children who are aged under 12 years old cannot sit in the passenger seat of the rental car at any time.
• Both the driver and any passengers in the car are required to wear seatbelts at all times, and you could get in trouble if you’re found driving without a seatbelt.
• Thankfully, Madeira does not have any toll roads, so you do not have to worry about carrying extra cash in your car to pay such fees while driving.
• On the island’s motorways the speed limit is 90 kilometers per hour but this drops down to between 40 kilometers per hour and 50 kilometers per hour in villages and cities.
• It’s against the law to drink alcohol and drive while in Madeira, so if you have had any alcoholic beverages you should have a designated sober driver or take a taxi.