Arrival
The airport is at Santa Cruz in the east, around 20 minutes’ drive from Funchal. The expressway along the south coast is fully built out and runs through a long sequence of tunnels and bridges — Funchal to Câmara de Lobos takes 20 minutes, Funchal to Machico about half an hour.
If you stay on the south coast only, you do not need a car. The moment the north, the highlands or a levada joins the plan, that changes.
Why the choice of car matters
Away from the expressways Madeira is steep. Eighteen per cent ramps are not unusual on the approaches to trailhead car parks, and they start from a standstill, not with a run-up. The smallest manual car with little torque is the wrong tool there.
Not because of power — because of pulling away on a slope, often with oncoming traffic on a single lane. If you are not practised with a clutch on a hill, book an automatic. On this island that is not a comfort choice.
Parking
In Funchal you park where the car parks are. On-street spaces in the old town are scarce and charged. If you book a hotel without its own space, add the parking cost, otherwise the final bill will not be the one you calculated.
At trailheads the opposite applies: free, but small. Arrive at ten and you have arrived late.
