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Counterwise

No. 3 of 21 at FNC

Driving Madeira

at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport)

Shuttle 3 min
Counterwise Score 7.5 out of 10, rated Mixed.Medium consensusCheck prices ↓

At a glance

  • Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is ranked No. 3 of 21 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 7.5/10 (Mixed).
  • The Driving Madeira desk is off-site: the shuttle from Madeira Airport takes about 3 minutes.
  • The credit card rule is not confirmed yet; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
  • Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: 09:00–18:00 daily.
  • Main red flag from travellers: Several recent reviews (6 since late 2025, most in Aug-Sep 2026) describe a clutch failing within days of pickup, followed by a repair bill of roughly €800-1,200 that the renters say they were wrongly held responsible for. They also say they received little proof. A recent consumer-site post describes the same €1,100 clutch bill..

Based on 299 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work

The short version

Based on 299 Google reviews (about 256 with text) after one exclusion, the large majority are very positive about the short shuttle transfer, quick handovers, low-pressure selling and fast deposit refunds. Since August 2026, however, a cluster of reviews reports early breakdowns (clutch, battery) followed by repair bills of about €800-1,200 that renters dispute, plus occasional disputed damage charges and a €35 early-return fee. Web evidence is thin, mostly undated and mixed, so it neither confirms nor refutes these problems beyond one recent consumer-site complaint.

AI-assisted summary of 299 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)

Mixed6.0/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 40 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Great8.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 22 reports · high confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Mixed7.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 25 reports · medium confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed7.0/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 50 reports · high confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed6.5/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 80 reports · high confidence.

How this score was built

  • AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 6.9 · counts 70%
  • Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 9.3 · counts 30%
  • 1 of 300 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise). How we clean reviews
  • Pulled 8% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (174 after weighting by age).

Medium consensusOur independent signals mostly agree, with some differences.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

  • Several recent reviews (6 since late 2025, most in Aug-Sep 2026) describe a clutch failing within days of pickup, followed by a repair bill of roughly €800-1,200 that the renters say they were wrongly held responsible for. They also say they received little proof. A recent consumer-site post describes the same €1,100 clutch bill.trustpilot.com
  • Several recent reviews report breakdowns or warning lights within days of pickup (battery, clutch, engine light, brakes), mostly from Aug-Sep 2026. Some say they were towed or stranded in a tunnel and given a replacement car.
  • Around 6 reviews from the last 12 months describe damage charges the renters dispute, such as scratches or marks they say were already there, or a bill of €185-350. One review reports a card still being charged more than a month after return.
  • At least 4 recent reviews mention a €35 fee for returning the car before the office opens (09:00). Some travellers booking through tour operators or brokers say this was a surprise.
  • About 8 reviews report shuttle problems at arrival: waits of 15-60 minutes, a full van that split groups, or an unmarked meeting point.

Green flags (5)

  • Around 20 reviews, most from the last year, report the card deposit released immediately or within a few days of return.
  • Roughly 16 reviews say staff did not push extra insurance or extras at the counter, some also noting that cover bought elsewhere was accepted.
  • Around 30 reviews describe a short free shuttle (about 3-5 minutes), pickup and return in 5-15 minutes, and staff accommodating delayed flights or late arrivals.
  • About 15 reviews say that taking the desk's full cover meant no deposit and no disputes over scratches.
  • Around 8 reviews report a quick replacement car after a breakdown or flat tyre, at no extra cost, and several others report free upgrades.

Practical facts

LocationOff-site, shuttle about 3 minsource
Opening hours09:00–18:00 dailysource
Credit card requiredNot confirmed yet
Typical depositNot confirmed yet
Fuel policyFull to fullsource
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 299 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

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Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport: questions and answers

Is Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport any good?

Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) has a Counterwise Score of 7.5/10 (Mixed) and is ranked No. 3 of 21 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Around 20 reviews, most from the last year, report the card deposit released immediately or within a few days of return.. Main red flag: Several recent reviews (6 since late 2025, most in Aug-Sep 2026) describe a clutch failing within days of pickup, followed by a repair bill of roughly €800-1,200 that the renters say they were wrongly held responsible for. They also say they received little proof. A recent consumer-site post describes the same €1,100 clutch bill..

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

Not confirmed yet. We have not yet confirmed whether Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) accepts debit cards for the deposit. Check the rental terms when you book.

How much is the deposit at Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport?

The deposit amount at Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at RentX (from €0).

Where is the Driving Madeira desk at Madeira Airport?

The Driving Madeira desk is off-site: the shuttle from Madeira Airport takes about 3 minutes.

What are the opening hours of Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport?

Driving Madeira at Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is open 09:00–18:00 daily. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Madeira Airport

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