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Counterwise

No. 9 of 21 at FNC

Centauro

at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport)

Shuttle
Counterwise Score 5.2 out of 10, rated Poor.Medium consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Centauro at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is ranked No. 9 of 21 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 5.2/10 (Poor).
  • The Centauro desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Madeira Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).
  • A credit card in the main driver's name is required; the typical deposit is €100–€2,100.
  • Fuel policy: same to same. Opening hours: 07:00–23:00 daily.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Pressure to buy the desk's own insurance is reported very often: about 33 kept reviews in the last 7 months describe reps dismissing broker or third-party cover as invalid, sometimes hinting at damage charges at return. A recent web guide also notes the desk pushes its cover hard..

Based on 286 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on about 287 kept recent Google reviews (13 excluded as duplicates, staff-praise, off-location or empty), roughly 225 of them with substantive text, this off-site shuttle desk gets many positive reports about fast handovers, cheap full-cover rentals and quick fuel-deposit refunds. Recurring complaints are strong counter pressure to buy the desk's own insurance, short or late fuel-deposit refunds, disputed scratch charges for travellers without full cover, and mechanical breakdowns. Web evidence is mostly undated or from aggregator sites and is mixed.

AI-assisted summary of 286 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 14 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor4.5/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 55 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Poor3.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 40 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 30 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 45 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Poor5.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 70 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 4.6 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 6.5 · counts 30%
  • 14 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, duplicates, other locations…). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 7% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (205 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Pressure to buy the desk's own insurance is reported very often: about 33 kept reviews in the last 7 months describe reps dismissing broker or third-party cover as invalid, sometimes hinting at damage charges at return. A recent web guide also notes the desk pushes its cover hard.auto-jardim.com
  • Mechanical failures (clutch, gearbox, brakes) are reported in about 11 recent reviews, often within a day or two of pickup. Several also describe slow roadside assistance of 2-4 hours, and at least one traveller said the desk threatened to keep the deposit after a breakdown.auto-jardim.com
  • Several travellers without the desk's full cover report charges for scratches (about €270-600, mostly wheels or rims) that they say were already on the car or not clearly recorded at pickup. Others avoided charges only because they had detailed photos or video.spainautorental.com
  • The fuel deposit is often not refunded in full or is refunded late. About 12 reviews report partial refunds despite a full tank returned, or waits of 2-4 months with no reply.
  • Five reviewers whose flights were diverted or delayed by weather report that the booking was cancelled or no flexibility was offered, so they paid more for a replacement or another company. Some of these bookings came through brokers.

Green flags (5)

  • Travellers who book direct with the desk's full-cover package describe an easy rental: no large deposit, debit cards accepted, and only a fuel deposit of roughly €60-110.
  • About 25 reviews describe a quick shuttle pickup, a handover in 10-20 minutes, and a fast return transfer to the airport.
  • Many travellers report the fuel deposit refunded within hours to a few days when the car was returned at the same fuel level, minus the island tourist tax.
  • Several reviewers with covered breakdowns or a flat tyre report quick help (tow, taxi, replacement car) within 1-3 hours, and some had a replacement car at the office.
  • Many reviewers say prices, especially with full cover and no deposit, are lower than at airport-terminal desks. A few also report lost items returned to them.

Practical facts

LocationOff-site, by shuttle (ride time not confirmed yet)source
Opening hours07:00–23:00 dailysource
Credit card requiredYes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical deposit€100–€2,100source
Fuel policySame to samesource
Shares the desk withNo other brands

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 286 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

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Centauro at other airports and stations

Same brand, different counter. We rate each location on its own.

Centauro at Madeira Airport: questions and answers

Is Centauro at Madeira Airport any good?

Centauro at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) has a Counterwise Score of 5.2/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 9 of 21 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Travellers who book direct with the desk's full-cover package describe an easy rental: no large deposit, debit cards accepted, and only a fuel deposit of roughly €60-110.. Main red flag: Pressure to buy the desk's own insurance is reported very often: about 33 kept reviews in the last 7 months describe reps dismissing broker or third-party cover as invalid, sometimes hinting at damage charges at return. A recent web guide also notes the desk pushes its cover hard..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Centauro at Madeira Airport?

Yes. Centauro at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Centauro at Madeira Airport?

The typical deposit at Centauro at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is €100–€2,100. The lowest starting deposit at this airport is at RentX (from €0).

Where is the Centauro desk at Madeira Airport?

The Centauro desk is off-site, reached by shuttle from Madeira Airport (ride time not confirmed yet).

What are the opening hours of Centauro at Madeira Airport?

Centauro at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is open 07:00–23:00 daily. Fuel policy: same to same.

Other desks at Madeira Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 21 desks side by side