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Car Hire

At just over eight miles or a 30-minute drive from the Madeira capital of Funchal, Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport provides convenient access to the city. Although once infamous for a short runway, the airport is now known as a well-developed hub with amenities such as car hire in Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport.

Who to Book With
Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport hosts seven car hire companies on Level 0 of the main terminal, near the Baggage Claim area. There is a mix of well-known international companies and Portuguese firms, such as Hertz, Europcar, Rodavante, Avis, Sixt Rent-a-car, Auto Jardim and Guerin. All of these suppliers are officially licensed to offer car rental on the premises.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Driver’s licence (both parts)
- Credit card used for making the reservation
- Valid passport for confirmation of ID
- Proof of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Roads around Portugal are generally in excellent condition and major cities can be reached with ease on motorways or other modern roads. Most highways, such as the A1 and A2, have tolls. Local drivers are prone to speeding and may drive without a valid licence or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Many cities have limited parking and roads sometimes lack lane markings.

See our guide to Portugal for more information on driving here.

Transport

Visitors with their own transport mainly use the ER 101 road for accessing Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport from Funchal or other destinations around the island. Other forms of transport serving the airport include local buses, the Aerobus and taxis, all of which are reasonably priced.

Taxis
A taxi stand can be found outside Level 0's Arrivals area. Metered fares start at around £3. Between 21:00 and 06:00 on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, there is an additional charge. Transporting luggage cost about £1 extra.

Taxi prices:
Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport to Funchal city centre is about £25.

Buses
SAM buses mainly travel between Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport, Funchal and Machico. A typical fare is around £3 per person. The Aerobus is slightly more expensive, at about £4 per person, but a return only costs around £6 per person.

Facilities

Terminals
Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport has one main terminal that is used by airlines that provide flights to mainland Portugal and destinations elsewhere in Europe. The most popular routes are to Lisbon, London, Manchester, Amsterdam and Porto.

Parking
The airport has five car parks that are numbered 0, 1, 5, 6 and 7. Parking must be paid for at the Level 0 Luggage Deposit area of the main terminal or automatically at the parking machines. Parking in lot 7, the cheapest of all the car parks on the premises, costs around £4 per day.

Wi-Fi
Passengers may connect to the Boingo Hotspot in Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport and take advantage of 30 minutes of free internet access. Registration with Boingo is required to take advantage of this service.

Information Services
An information desk can be found on Level 1 of the main terminal and is open from 08:00 until 23:00. The Tourist Information Desk is located on Level 0.

Useful Numbers
Airport Information Desk: +351 291 520 700
Tourist Information Desk: +351 291 524 933

Accessibility
Access for those with reduced mobility is not a problem at the airport. Disabled persons’ parking spaces and bathrooms are commonplace, as is equipment that can be used provided the passenger's airline has been informed prior to arrival.

Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants can be found on all levels of the main terminal. On Level 0 is the Welcome Cafe. Above it, on Level 1, Cafe do Aeroporto and Kiodelata serve coffee, salads, sandwiches and typical Portuguese pastries. Level 2 is home to Quiosque Boundi Caffee, while Restuarante de Aeroporto is found on Level 3.

VIP Lounges
Tap Portugal Lounge

Money and ATMs
Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport has one bank, operated by Santander, and ATMs on levels 0, 1 and 2 of the main terminal. Unicambio's foreign exchange service is located on Level 0.

Shopping
AirShopping is the main shopping centre at Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport. It sells everything from perfumes and aftershave to toys, books and locally-produced wine.