We booked a rental car and were able to upgrade it on the spot—it was quick and easy—to a more powerful automatic vehicle, which I highly recommend for Madeira. The staff was very friendly and knowled... See more
Company replied
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My credit card was not accepted for the €1300 security deposit, despite the fact it's a REAL credit card. I had to pay an extra €283 for insurance to take the reserved car ! I then was asked to ma... See more
Company replied
Typical mandatory full insurance car rental Only they want is full isnureance, without it is bacially impossible to rent a car. We had resevation, we had full insurance from different company and... See more
Company replied
Very bad experience, I do not recommend this company! I got a flat tire during the rental and, even though I had full insurance coverage (full CASCO), nobody answered when I tried to contact the compa... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
A Funchal Drive é uma empresa de aluguer de viaturas dedicada a oferecer um serviço simples, transparente e de confiança. Com uma frota moderna e diversificada, preparada para responder a diferentes necessidades e orçamentos, destaca-se pelo atendimento personalizado, pela qualidade do serviço e pela proximidade com cada cliente. Se procura conforto, segurança e uma experiência de aluguer sem complicações, a Funchal Drive é uma opção prática, eficiente e confiável. ✅🌍
Contact info
Rua do Cano 42A, 9100-101, Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
- +351 963 522 450
3.1
Average
216 reviews
No history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 70% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Friendly, flexible, and reliable rental service
We booked a rental car and were able to upgrade it on the spot—it was quick and easy—to a more powerful automatic vehicle, which I highly recommend for Madeira. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The airport transfer also went very smoothly and was right on time. I highly recommend Funchal Drive.
June 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Oliver,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that the upgrade process was quick and easy, and that the automatic, more powerful vehicle met your expectations for driving in Madeira. It is also great to know that our team was friendly and helpful, and that the airport transfer service was smooth and punctual.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
The time to get the car is very long
The time to get the car is very long
The front tires were more than tires
The shutle for the airport was perfect
The engine of the car was short for Madeira (8,4 l/100km)
June 9, 2026
Unprompted review
My credit card was not accepted
My credit card was not accepted for the €1300 security deposit, despite the fact it's a REAL credit card. I had to pay an extra €283 for insurance to take the reserved car !
I then was asked to make a €150 security deposit and strangely, my card was accepted for this one !
i demanded my travel broker to reimburse.
Otherwise, the car was OK.
May 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Didier,
We are sorry to hear about your experience and understand your frustration regarding the deposit and payment conditions.
When renting with us, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit.
Alternatively, debit cards are accepted for payment upon purchase of our optional coverage packages.
All this information is available for review on our website www.funchaldrive.com, as well as during the vehicle pick-up process. We recommend a detailed review of our card and payment policies to verify acceptance and ensure a smooth rental experience.
For any further clarification, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Our credit card was not accepted…
Our credit card was not accepted because it was valid only four more months… So we had to pay extra insurance so the price for the rent doubled in total. A lot of other customers had to pay extra fees as well.
May 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Jan,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are sorry to hear about your experience and the inconvenience caused at the time of pick-up.
Regarding payment conditions, please note that a credit card is required for the security deposit, and in some cases it must meet certain validity requirements to be accepted by our system. Alternatively, customers may proceed with a debit card by selecting our optional coverage packages, as clearly indicated in our booking conditions.
We understand your concern regarding the additional cost, however these options are clearly presented during the reservation process and are part of our rental policy.
We appreciate your comments and will continue working to improve clarity and customer experience at all stages of the booking and rental process.
If you need any further clarification, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Very bad experience
Very bad experience, I do not recommend this company! I got a flat tire during the rental and, even though I had full insurance coverage (full CASCO), nobody answered when I tried to contact the company. On top of that, I was forced to pay out of pocket, even though the insurance should have covered the situation. The car was in poor technical condition: the tires were badly worn out, and the brakes felt weak, which raises serious concerns about safety. For a car rental company, these kinds of issues are unacceptable. Lack of support, lack of professionalism, and unsafe vehicle conditions. I will definitely not rent from them again.”
May 29, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear David,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We are sorry to hear about your experience and regret any inconvenience caused during your rental. We understand how frustrating this situation must have been for you.
Regarding insurance coverage, we would like to kindly clarify that we recommend all customers carefully review the specific exclusions of the coverage purchased. In particular, damages such as punctures or cuts on the sidewall of tires, especially those caused by impacts with curbs, negligent use, or external damage, are generally not covered under standard insurance policies.
We also take the maintenance and safety of our vehicles very seriously. All our cars are regularly inspected to ensure proper performance and safety standards for our customers. However, certain damages can occur during use and may not always be predictable or preventable.
We truly regret that you feel unsupported during your incident and we take your comments seriously as part of our ongoing efforts to improve our service.
For any further clarification or if you would like us to review your case in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Hello
Hello, I had booked a Seat Arona through Carjet. For me, this is a Class C (MPV). I was given a Citroën C3. In my view, this is a Class B. In short, I did not receive the car I booked and paid for.
I had also taken out additional insurance through Carjet. You were not aware of this, and I was very strongly urged to take out additional insurance costing €355 for the entire hire period. This was completely unnecessary!
The car had no windscreen washer fluid and the brakes were making a lot of noise. I mentioned this when I returned the car. Of course, this can happen if the previous hirer fails to report it to you.
May 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Alex,
Thank you for your feedback.
Regarding your reservation, we would like to clarify that the Seat Arona (SUV) belongs to the same vehicle category as the Citroën C3 (SUV) provided to you. Both vehicles are classified within the same reserved category and offer equivalent characteristics in terms of space and motorization. For this reason, we are unable to guarantee specific makes or models, only the reserved category.
Concerning insurance and payment conditions, please note that when renting with us, a credit card is required for the deposit block. Alternatively, debit cards are accepted for payment when our optional coverage packages are purchased. All this information is available for review on our website www.funchaldrive.com as well as during the booking process. We recommend carefully reviewing our payment and card acceptance policies to ensure compatibility with our system.
If you have any further questions or require additional clarification, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
The car was very good and clean
The car was very good and clean . Overall it was above expectations. For the low price we paid it was very good. The drop off was good as well. I can only recomand and take care o the cars , how you drive , not to damage them. For us it was good as we had no incidents.
May 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Radu,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you were pleased with the condition of the car and that the overall experience exceeded your expectations. It’s also great to know that the pick-up and drop-off went smoothly and that you found good value in our service.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and your thoughtful reminder to take care of the vehicles — responsible driving is always very important to us as well.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Highly recommended!
Absolutely a very nice experience. Very kind staff, helpful, hardworking and the whole is good value for money. Enjoy!
June 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Rob,
Thank you very much for your kind words.
We are truly happy to hear that you had a great experience with us and that you appreciated our team’s kindness and dedication. It’s especially rewarding to know that you found our service to be good value for money.
We hope to welcome you again on your next visit!
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Nice Car Rental
The Service was nice. Everything went perfekt and very quickly. Also the Transfer between the Car Rental and the Airport was quite easy.
We did all the booking stuff in advanced so that we only catched the car at night.
June 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Barbara,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that everything went smoothly and efficiently, and that you found our service and airport transfer convenient. It’s great to know that the advance booking helped make your pickup quick and easy, even at night.
We truly appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Best regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Bad service at technical problems
The service in the Office was bad and Not Customer friendly. My Credit Card was valid for another 3 months, but this was not accepted for deposit Pay. We proposed other solutions (e.g. Driver change to my wife, etc), but they force me to Pay additional 390€ for a“Gold Service“. As it was Late that day, we did not had a change to cancel the reservation.
And secondly, the car was in a Bad technical condition.
1.) When soft Breaking, the whole car vibrated.
2.) The Front light did not work. This was dangerous in the Tunnels, and there are many in Madeira. I sent an emails and asked how to handle the problem. But no answer. And no answer for my reminder, too.
May 14, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Ralf,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations and that you felt dissatisfied with the service provided.
Regarding the deposit, please note that a valid physical credit card in the name of the main driver is required, in accordance with our rental terms and conditions. Cards that do not meet the required criteria may not be accepted due to banking or security restrictions. As an alternative, we offer the possibility to use a debit card when one of our coverage options is selected.We would like to emphasize that all extras and services, including additional coverage, are always optional and only proceed with the customer’s agreement and confirmation.This information is clearly available for review on our website at www.funchaldrive.com and during the booking process.
Concerning the vehicle condition, all our cars are regularly inspected and checked before each rental to ensure safety and proper performance. The issues you describe are not in line with our usual standards, and we regret any inconvenience caused. We also apologize if your communication was not answered in a timely manner, as this is not the level of service we aim to provide.
We truly value your feedback, as it helps us improve our service.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Very good
Everything as expected. I booked an automatic car with full insurance directly on their website. Booking process was rather easy
On the way to Madeira our flight was delayed, but a member of the staff waited for us at the airport and took us to the office (5 min drive) where the car was delivered. Formalities were dealt with quickly, as I had already entered all details in their system before travelling. Car was as expected, no surprises.
To return the car it was slightly more cumbersome as we were few returning their cars at the same time. To get in the premises might prove difficult for non experienced drivers, all in all very positive experience
May 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Gianpaolo,
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback!
We are delighted to hear that your experience met your expectations and that you found the booking process easy and convenient. It’s great to know that the pre-filled details helped make the pick-up process quicker and smoother, and that the vehicle matched your expectations.
We also appreciate your understanding regarding the return process and your comments about access to our facilities. Your feedback is very valuable.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again in the future!
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Good an clean car but it took way to…
Good an clean car but it took way to long to get it we waited more than a hour to be picked up at the airport and there was totally more then two hours between landing of the plane and driving away in the car….
May 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Harold,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are pleased to hear that you found the car clean and in good condition.
We sincerely apologize for the delay you experienced with the airport pick-up and the waiting time before starting your rental. On rare occasions, due to high demand or operational factors, waiting times may be longer than expected.
Your feedback is very important to us and will be taken into consideration to help us improve our service and reduce waiting times.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future and provide you with an even smoother experience.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Typical mandatory full insurance car…
Typical mandatory full insurance car rental
Only they want is full isnureance, without it is bacially impossible to rent a car. We had resevation, we had full insurance from different company and they found some their own policy, nohere written... So we were forced to pay extra 405E for 10 days...
We also waited more than 1h for pick-up at the airport - plane was on time...
May 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Dusan,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not fully meet your expectations, particularly regarding the additional costs and the waiting time at the airport.
We would like to clarify that both types of coverage are valid; however, they correspond to different service options with different conditions and levels of protection.
We would also like to emphasize that all extras and services offered are always optional and remain entirely at the customer’s free choice and discretion. Nothing is ever added without the customer’s prior selection and confirmation during the process.
Regarding payment and deposit requirements, please note that a valid physical credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. Alternatively, debit cards may be accepted for payment when one of our coverage options is purchased. All accepted payment methods and conditions are clearly communicated during the booking process and available on our website www.funchaldrive.com.
Concerning the airport pick-up service, we are sorry for the waiting time experienced. Our shuttle service operates continuously; however, in peak moments, short delays may occasionally occur due to operational demand.
We appreciate your comments, as they help us improve our service. Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
It is easy to get to the office by companies' bus.
It is easy to get to the office: a bus will pick you up and it is quick. Procedure is functional but adequate. Staff was friendly. The car was good to drive with, even though it had some scratches from earlier rents.
May 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear John,
Thank you very much for your feedback!
We are pleased to hear that you found the access to our office convenient, that our team was friendly, and that you enjoyed driving the vehicle.
We also appreciate your comments regarding the vehicle condition, as well as your overall impression of the rental process. Your feedback is very important to us and helps us continue to improve our service.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future!
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Mike,
Thank you very much for your feedback!
We are glad to hear that you found the booking process and the return easy. We are sorry that the pick-up was slower than expected and appreciate your patience.
Your comments are very valuable to us and help us improve our service. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Never ever again!
We have never had such a bad experience with a car rental company as we did with Funchal Drive, and we can confirm all the negative reviews here.
Our card for the deposit was also rejected, even though we have used it without any issues over the past few years to rent cars in the Azores, La Réunion, Finland, and with many other rental companies. Various suggestions, such as using my boyfriend’s credit card or cancelling the contract and renting the same car again under a new contract in his name, were all refused. The customer service was absolutely not solution-oriented and made us feel uncomfortable throughout the entire conversation. Since we had no real alternative, we also ended up being pressured into buying the expensive insurance and paid €400 instead of the original €150 for the car.
We were then further pressured into paying an additional €12.50 cleaning fee, otherwise we would have had to return the car spotless. €12.50 is not a huge amount of money, but this was never mentioned during the booking process, and we have never experienced anything like this before.
The car itself was also not what we expected. On a mountainous island like Madeira, you really do not feel safe driving a car with heavily worn brake discs and a damaged clutch.
We definitely cannot recommend Funchal Drive and would rather pay a bit more next time to rent from a customer-friendly company.
May 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Max,
Thank you very much for your message and for taking the time to share your feedback.
We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not fully meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few points.
When renting with us, a valid physical credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. As an alternative, we also accept debit cards for payment when one of our coverage options is purchased. All information regarding accepted cards and payment methods is clearly available on our website www.funchaldrive.com and is also shown during the booking process. We always recommend that our customers review the payment and card policies carefully before confirming their reservation.
Regarding the cleaning service, please allow us to clarify that this is an optional service we offer for your convenience, so you can enjoy a more relaxed experience without having to worry about cleaning the vehicle at the end of the rental. This service is never mandatory and is always entirely the customer’s choice.
We would also like to kindly reinforce that all additional extras and products we offer are fully optional and are always selected at the customer’s discretion.
Please note that we do not guarantee specific makes or models of vehicles. However, based on our experience and customer preferences, we may recommend vehicles with higher engine capacity or automatic transmission, as they generally provide more comfort and ease of driving, especially in Madeira.
We sincerely appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continuously improve our service and customer experience.
Should you need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Good communication
Good communication, car was brand new. We had to pay bit extra for picking up after 8pm that's fair play. Also extra 14e for cleaning or you got to clean car by yourself before dropping off.
May 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Patryk,
Thank you very much for your feedback.
We are pleased to hear that you were satisfied with the communication and that you enjoyed the vehicle. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the additional charges.
It was a pleasure to have you as our customer, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Very disappointing experience with this…
Very disappointing experience with this car rental agency. The service was catastrophic from start to finish. We waited more than an hour at the airport before being picked up by their shuttle, without any information or apology.
Once we arrived, the staff tried to make us pay for additional insurance, claiming there was an issue with our bank card, which felt very abusive and unprofessional.
I do not recommend this agency. Lack of professionalism, poor organization, and questionable business practices.
May 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Lea,
Thank you for your comment, and we regret the negative perception of your experience.
Our airport shuttle service operates every 20 minutes; however, during peak periods, waiting times may be longer than expected, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
We would also like to clarify that our company operates transparently and in full accordance with the established procedures and contractual conditions.
Payment and coverage options are always presented to customers at the time of booking and vehicle collection, and the choice of additional services remains entirely optional.
We recommend checking the terms and policies of the credit card, as these may influence the validation and authorization process within our system.
For any further clarification, please contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Old car. More than 100.00 km driven
The car we rented had already more than 100.000 km on the odometer. We were told an automatic car was better due to the roads in Madeira. And if we did get a manual transmission the insurance would not cover a broken one. Eventhough wr had full coverage.
The manual transmission car was old and not very good going up thr hill.
May 12, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Anne,
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
However, we would like to clarify that we do not currently have vehicles in our fleet with the mileage indicated in your comment, and at this moment we are also unable to identify your rental contract based on the information provided.
In order for us to review the situation properly, we kindly ask you to contact us directly by email at info@funchaldrive.com for any further clarification.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Avoid this company
Avoid this company. The car was great. However, when I returned the car full of fuel, a payment was taken from me for the tank being “only 7/8 full” which is untrue as I filled it up to full 5 km from the drop off point and provided a receipt for this. The level of fuel was the same as when I picked the car up. From other reviews I have read, this company seems to try to find any excuse to charge you after you drop the car off so I would not recommend.
May 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive - Funchal Aeroporto
Dear Mirra,
We regret that our services did not meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify that all vehicles are inspected at the time of return, and the fuel level is recorded according to the vehicle’s indicators. In cases of discrepancy, the situation is reviewed based on these internal records and the contractually agreed rental conditions.
Whenever a vehicle is returned with a lower fuel level than at pickup, the procedures established in the rental conditions are applied.
For any further clarification, please contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
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