FNC · Madeira
Car hire at Funchal Airport
A car is the best way to see Madeira's levadas, viewpoints and north coast. Roads are good but steep, with many tunnels.
Picking up the car
Rental desks are in the arrivals hall; local companies often deliver the car to the airport or your hotel.
Tolls
Madeira has no toll roads. The VR1 expressway runs along the south coast from the airport through Funchal.
Driving times from the airport
| To | Distance | Time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal | 17 km | 20 min | |
| Machico | 7 km | 10 min | |
| Pico do Arieiro | 35 km | 50 min | |
| Porto Moniz | 75 km | 1 h 15 |
Approximate, outside rush hour.
Tips for Funchal
- Choose a car with a bit of power: the climbs out of Funchal and up to Pico do Arieiro are steep and a very small engine struggles with four adults.
- An automatic makes the hill starts much easier and costs little more here than on the mainland.
For much more detail, see rentalcarmadeira.com, our detailed Madeira car hire guide.
Other airports
Checked 2026-11-05.