Collecting the car was a bit hap hazard, it seemed we weren’t important customers. It took a hour to go through the process as the car wasn’t ready at the arranged time and there were issues for anot... See more
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Review summary
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What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
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
Getting the car and returning were fast and easy. I got a brand new car which was great. Location is a little bit far to the center, you should take a bus or a taxi to get there. And better to rent t... See more
Company replied
Communication was oké, car was oké. Transfers oké. We noticed that others were asked to pay extra for cleaning, insurance, better automatic car, We did not get those questions because we booked at... 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 Quinta do Leme 102, 9020-223, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- +351 965 322 722
- info@funchaldrive.com
- funchaldrive.com
3.1
Average
625 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 83% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
How this company uses Trustpilot
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Pleasantly surprised
Pleasantly surprised.
The car was exactly the model we ordered online. The mileage was pretty low (approximately 20.000 km) and the car was clean and in good working condition.
There were no surcharges, as some people say in the other reviews. You just have to have a credit card with enough credit on it - look at your booking how much the deposit will be and make sure it is available on your credit card when picking up the car.
The staff was friendly and working rapidly when picking up the car. We didn't have to wait long despite having a line of a few people in front of us.
We had to return our car in the middle of the night. It meant that the car had to be returned on parking 7 of Funchal Airport. Since I had forgotten about the exact procedure, I sent the FunchalDrive a few messages on Whatsapp and they responded within a few hours with very detailed information.
A few hours after we returned the car, I received an email that the car had been returned and inspected, and the deposit was immediately released in full.
The whole process was actually very fluid, the rates were good and I would go back without hesitation.
July 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Car was in good condition
Car was in good condition, people were nice and helpful, the price was great. 100% recommend.
July 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Everything went very smoothly
Everything went very smoothly, from picking up the car to returning it. We were collected from the airport at the designated meeting point. The paperwork and vehicle handover were handled quickly, allowing us to start our trip without delay. We received a nearly new Renault Clio that was in perfect condition and performed well. Since the drop-off took place outside their standard business hours, we had to pay a small additional fee to leave the car in a paid airport parking lot right near the entrance (P7). We have rented many cars in the past and frequently encountered "mafia-style" tactics—such as the tank not being full, pressure to buy extra insurance, claims of non-existent damage, cleaning fees, and so on—but none of that happens with this company; they serve you with a smile. We highly recommend this company!
July 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Simon,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience!
We are delighted to hear that everything went smoothly, from the airport pick-up to the return of the vehicle, and that you were pleased with both the condition of the car and the service provided by our team.
Your comments about our transparency, professionalism, and friendly service mean a great deal to us. We work hard to ensure that every customer enjoys a straightforward and stress-free rental experience, so it is especially rewarding to know that this was reflected in your experience.
It was a pleasure to serve you, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Madeira.
Kind regards,
FunchalDrive Team
Worst car rental company I've ever…
Worst car rental company I've ever dealt with** – and I rent cars frequently.
We waited over 30 minutes for the shuttle van to pick us up, even though the rental office is less than five minutes away. Delays can happen, but this was an unnecessarily long wait.
Once we arrived at the office, we provided all the required documents. After several attempts to sell us additional insurance that we did not need, we were informed that none of our four different credit cards were accepted because they were issued by digital (non-traditional) banks.
In over 15 years of travelling and renting cars across Europe, this is the first time I have ever encountered such a policy.
When I questioned this requirement, I pointed out that such an important condition should be clearly displayed alongside the list of accepted payment methods. Instead, it was hidden in the very last sentence of the terms and conditions. Even the employee serving us knew the information existed but couldn't find it herself until we searched through the policy together.
When we asked for a reasonable explanation, we were given an answer that made even less sense than the policy itself. They claimed they could not accept our cards for the security deposit, despite the fact they were perfectly happy to charge those same cards for their expensive insurance products. If they can charge the cards, they should also be able to pre-authorise the deposit.
As a result, we refused to be pressured into paying for unnecessary insurance and decided not to rent the car. We lost €61 on our reservation, but we preferred that to dealing with a company that uses such unfair and misleading practices.
To make matters worse, when I asked for the official Portuguese complaints book ("Livro de Reclamações"), I was told that their physical complaints book was full and they did not have another one available. Instead, they suggested that I submit my complaint online. Apparently, online complaints are acceptable in the 21st century, but digital bank credit cards are not.
I would not recommend this company to anyone. Their policies are poorly communicated, their customer service is disappointing, and the entire experience felt misleading from start to finish.
PS: Portuguese client that lives and travels abroad!
July 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Liudmila,
We are sorry to hear that our services did not meet your expectations.
Our shuttle service operates continuously around the airport, with an approximate frequency of every 20 minutes. For this reason, we kindly recommend that customers proceed to the designated meeting point and remain there until the shuttle arrives, in order to ensure a smooth and efficient pick-up.
When choosing a Basic Rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit pre-authorisation. Alternatively, we accept a debit card for payment when purchasing our optional coverage packages.
All information regarding the rental conditions is available for review at the time of booking.
For a future car rental, we recommend choosing a rate without excess, which may be more suitable according to your needs.
Regarding your comments about the Complaints Book, we would like to clarify that it has always been available to all customers, in full compliance with the applicable legal requirements.
We fully respect every customer's right to submit a complaint and value all feedback as an opportunity to improve our services. However, we also believe it is important that public reviews are based on accurate and factual information.
We also note that some of the issues mentioned relate to the rental terms and conditions, which are clearly presented and made available for review before the reservation is confirmed. We therefore encourage customers to read these terms carefully to avoid any misunderstandings.
Our company is committed to treating every customer with professionalism, respect, and courtesy, and we expect the same level of respect in return. Honest and factual communication benefits both customers and service providers alike.
Should you require any further clarification, we remain available to assist you.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Good, fast and quality service
The car was clean, ready + service was quick & efficient
July 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Pauline,
Thank you very much for your positive feedback.
We are delighted to know that you found the vehicle clean and ready upon arrival, and that our service was quick and efficient.
We appreciate your trust and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
CLEARLY SCAM !
Starting with a delayed and very unfriendly shuttle experience, we were driven to the station to get our car. When trying to pay we were told both our creditcards were not accepted since "they were no real credit cards". (I payed and rented cars all over the world with my card so far). So we had to pay 284€ extra. No chance to solve it otherwise. 16€ car tax is added when getting the car as well, which is fine but never was listed anywhere before.
When bringing back the car there was other stuff, younger guys, which were nicer than the older guys.
But still it is obviously a scheme to rip off tourists, because probably 90% will not have "the correct type of credit card". I wish i checked google reviews before. Same comments there.
July 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Customer,
We are sorry to hear that our services did not meet your expectations.
When choosing a Basic Rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit pre-authorisation. Alternatively, we accept a debit card for payment when purchasing our optional coverage packages.
All information regarding the rental conditions is available for review at the time of booking.
For a future car rental, we recommend choosing a rate without excess, which may be more suitable according to your needs.
Should you require any further clarification, we remain available to assist you.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Friendly staff and good car, but outdated payment rules
The local staff was very friendly, and our VW T-Roc—while having many exterior damages—was fully functional and perfectly suited for navigating Madeira.
Unfortunately, the payment experience was a nightmare. They flat-out refused my valid credit card because it was on my Google Wallet, strictly demanding a physical plastic card. To avoid losing our rental entirely, we were forced to buy their in-house "Service Gold Complete" insurance for an exorbitant ~700€, despite already having full coverage with an excess refund through our broker. Warning: Do not rely on modern digital wallets here. If you don't have a physical credit card, they will use this technicality to force a massive, completely unnecessary upsell at the counter!
July 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Niklas,
Thank you very much for your review and for sharing your experience.
We are delighted to hear that you found our local team friendly and that the VW T-Roc was fully functional and well suited for exploring Madeira.
When choosing a Basic Rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit pre-authorisation. Alternatively, a debit card is accepted for payment when purchasing one of our optional protection packages.
All information is available for review at the time of booking.
For a future car rental, we recommend choosing a rate without excess, which may be more suitable depending on your preferences and needs.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Extremely good service
Extremely good service, and stuck by the insurance policy when the car I was in was vandalised. They said straight away I would not need to pay anything. Also, exceptional communication.
July 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Jamie,
Thank you very much for your kind review and for sharing your experience.
We are delighted to know that you were satisfied with our service, our communication and the support provided by our team during this situation. We always aim to assist our customers in a professional and efficient manner, ensuring that the applicable insurance conditions are respected.
We appreciate your trust in Funchal Drive and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Good comunication
Good comunication, amazing prize and it may seem obvious but the pick-up van in the airport is as well helpful
July 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Pau,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you were satisfied with our communication, our prices, and the convenience of our airport pick-up service.
We always aim to provide a simple, smooth, and comfortable experience from the moment you arrive until the end of your rental.
We truly appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you again on your next visit.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Really terrific
Really terrific, car, and the reps were all friendly, helpful and professional - on time pickup and dropoff at the airport, no stress, no hassles, and fantastic price. Thank you all!
July 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Tim,
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you were satisfied with the vehicle and that our team provided a friendly, helpful, and professional service. We are also pleased to know that the airport pick-up and drop-off were punctual and that your experience was smooth and stress-free.
Your kind words mean a lot to us and motivate our team to continue providing the best service possible.
We truly appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you again on your next visit.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Punctual and efficient
Punctual and efficient. Great service highly recommended.
July 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Ale,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you found our service punctual and efficient. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate your trust and support.
We look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
We booked a VW Polo through SunnyCars, but FunchalDrive provided a car with less engine power…
We booked a VW Polo (or similar) through SunnyCars, but FunchalDrive provided a Citroën C3—a car with less power than the VW Polo.
We only noticed the car's lack of power once we were in the mountains, as we frequently had to drive uphill in first gear.
We had researched the power requirements for driving on Madeira beforehand, which is why we specifically booked a VW Polo (or similar). In our opinion, FunchalDrive did not deliver what was agreed upon with SunnyCars. We have informed SunnyCars about the issue! We expect FunchalDrive to compensate for the difference.
June 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Pépé,
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We would like to clarify that we cannot guarantee specific brands or models of vehicles. The vehicles provided are always according to the category reserved at the time of booking, and a similar vehicle within the same category may be assigned depending on fleet availability.
We understand that driving in Madeira can be challenging due to the island’s geography, with steep roads and demanding routes. Depending on each customer's needs and intended use of the vehicle, we are always available to recommend vehicles with higher engine capacity or automatic transmission, which may provide greater comfort and suitability for certain driving conditions.
We regret that the vehicle provided did not fully meet your expectations, and we appreciate your feedback as it helps us continue improving our service.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
They were relaxed
Easy and fast. When i dropped the car, they weren’t even there, lol. So relaxed
July 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Customer,
Thank you very much for your feedback.
We are pleased to hear that you found our service easy and fast. We always aim to provide a simple, efficient, and relaxed experience for our customers.
We appreciate your trust and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
The first car didn’t had enough power…
The first car didn’t had enough power to go up with A/C. I understand that madeiras roads are really difficult but why selling as a service if I can’t use it. Apart that they gave us a car with the brake pads consumed. The change of the car was perfect, but the owner really rude, telling me that he’s gonna decide if the car has problems. The new car was good but a loose of time changing it.
July 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
We are sorry to hear that our services did not meet your expectations.
We understand that driving in Madeira can be challenging due to the island’s geography, with steep roads and demanding routes. Depending on each customer's needs and intended use of the vehicle, we are always available to recommend cars with higher engine capacity or automatic transmission, which may provide greater comfort and suitability for certain driving conditions.
We would also like to highlight the importance of using the gearbox correctly when driving on mountainous roads, as this helps prevent excessive strain, overheating, and premature wear of the braking system and other vehicle components.
We are pleased to know that the replacement vehicle met your expectations, although we regret the inconvenience and time spent during the vehicle change.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
The attention was fast and kind
The attention was fast and kind. The transport to the airport was comfortable and fast too. The car worked perfectly.
July 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Nuria,
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We are delighted to hear that you were pleased with our service, that the airport transfer was comfortable and efficient, and that the vehicle met your expectations.
We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you again on your next opportunity to visit us.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Worst experience with car rental…
Worst experience with car rental company ever. Employees just want to sell their overpriced insurance.
They have limit 1.800€ on deposit, so you need to have higher limit on credit card(AND ALSO WEEKLY LIMIT). They don’t accept different card, or card from different person (neither wife). Only way is buy insurance (then total price is doubled) or don’t take car and try to communicate with their support. Employee even didn’t know conditions of canceling contract (or didn’t want to say it). Just waited if you take car or not. I was here 3 times and everytime there was at least one person, who fell in their trap. Also baby car seats are in bad condition, used only with our pad.
Be careful with them.
I don’t recommend this company to anybody.
July 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Dominik,
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
When choosing a basic rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. Alternatively, we accept a debit card for payments if you choose to purchase one of our optional protection packages.
All of this information is clearly available for review at the time of booking.
For your next rental, we recommend choosing a zero-excess rate to enjoy greater peace of mind throughout your rental experience.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
credit card scam ...
Even though my card was a credit card (marked "credit-debit" on the card itself), the agency forced me to purchase additional insurance costing over 200 euros because they refused to take a card imprint for the security deposit. Upon checking, my bank confirmed that the card was indeed valid as a credit card.
July 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Sébastien,
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
When choosing a basic rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. Alternatively, we accept a debit card for payments if you choose to purchase one of our optional protection packages.
All of this information is clearly available for review at the time of booking.
For your next rental, we recommend choosing a zero-excess rate to enjoy greater peace of mind throughout your rental experience.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Misunderstandning
I dislike the overprize of 35 euros because we pickep up the car after 8 pm (2 hours of delate at the departure at Lyon airport) : this possible overprize was not announced when I have booked the car few months ago, and to my mind 8 pm is not so late (I would understand an overprize after 10 pm, but not before).
July 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Lefevre,
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that our services did not meet your expectations.
Please note that the €35 fee applies to vehicle pick-ups and returns requested outside our normal business hours. This charge covers the availability of our staff and the parking arrangements required to ensure the service can be provided as requested.
This information is clearly stated during the reservation process before the booking is confirmed.
Should you require any additional information or clarification, please feel free to contact us by email at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
I travel a lot to many countries where…
I travel a lot to many countries where I rent a car. I always pay with my VISA creditcard. In your case they did not accept my valid VISA creditcard which is on my name, the driver! Reason is very vage. Something with online banking which I did not understand. What I do understand is that I agreed around 500 Euro for renting the car and suddenly I had to pay 935 Euro!!! And now they accepted my creditcard!! Contact me if you want. I also paid for a platinum insurance which I die upfront! So two times an insurance???
July 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Hieronymus,
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
When choosing a basic rate, a valid credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. Alternatively, we accept a debit card for payments if you choose to purchase one of our optional protection packages.
All of this information is clearly available for review at the time of booking.
For your next rental, we recommend choosing a zero-excess rate to enjoy greater peace of mind throughout your rental experience.
Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Not the best experience of hiring a car.
Collecting the car was a bit hap hazard, it seemed we weren’t important customers. It took a hour to go through the process as the car wasn’t ready at the arranged time and there were issues for another customer. The car was clean and fine but there was a charge to have the car cleaned on our return or have to clean it before return. Never had that before and I suggest a rip off. Drop off was fine and we even had a taxi called on our behalf. NOTE: The ramp into the compound is very steep and if not careful you could really catch the bottom of the car (as our taxi did), both in and out. Beware! I probably won’t use them again for various reasons described above.
July 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Martine,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not fully meet your expectations and regret any inconvenience caused during the vehicle collection process.
During periods of higher demand, waiting times may occasionally exceed the expected timeframe, and we sincerely apologize if this affected your experience.
Regarding the cleaning service, we would like to clarify that this is an optional product offered to customers for their convenience, allowing them to return the vehicle without having to worry about cleaning it beforehand. The decision to purchase this service is entirely up to the customer.
We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration as we continue to improve our service.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
FunchalDrive Team
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