Planning a trip from Lisbon to the Portuguese islands? If you’re heading to Madeira or the Azores, you might wonder if you can rent a car in Lisbon and take it with you. The short answer: you can’t — but you can book a separate rental on the islands.
This guide explains what to expect when renting a car for travel between mainland Portugal and its islands, how to book your island rental in advance, and what’s different about driving in Madeira or the Azores.
✈️ Can You Take a Rental Car from Lisbon to Madeira or the Azores?
No — rental cars from Lisbon cannot be transported to the islands.
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- 🛫 Madeira and the Azores can only be reached by air or cruise
- 🛳️ Ferries between mainland and islands do not transport vehicles
- 🔒 Rental companies strictly prohibit cross-territory transport of vehicles
💡 You’ll need to rent a new car once you arrive in Madeira or the Azores.
🚗 How to Rent a Car on Madeira or the Azores
It’s simple — book separately for each destination. Use the same platforms as in Lisbon:
| Platform | Coverage in Islands | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| discovercars.com | ✅ Yes (FNC, PDL, TER) | Airport pickup on all islands |
| Rentalcars.com | ✅ Yes | Compare local & major brands |
| Local Rent-a-Car | ✅ Yes (Madeira) | Often better for small roads |
🏝️ Which Airports to Choose for Rental Pickup
| Island | Airport Code | Car Rental Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Madeira | FNC (Funchal) | ✅ Yes (on-site) |
| São Miguel | PDL (Ponta Delgada) | ✅ Yes |
| Terceira | TER | ✅ Yes |
| Faial / Pico | HOR / PIX | ✅ Limited |
📦 Tip: Pre-book early for summer months — small fleets sell out fast.
🚘 Driving Tips for the Islands vs. Lisbon
| Feature | Lisbon Mainland | Madeira & Azores |
|---|---|---|
| Roads | Highways & toll roads | Steep, narrow mountain roads |
| Fuel stations | 24/7 in cities | Sparse in rural zones |
| Navigation | Google Maps + Waze | Google Maps recommended |
| Driving style | Fast-paced | Slow, scenic |
🏞️ In Madeira, rent a compact automatic or small SUV for the hills.
🛡️ Insurance Notes for Island Rentals
- ✅ Consider full protection: narrow roads = more scratches
- ✅ Ask if off-road driving is excluded (common in São Miguel)
- ✅ Some local companies don’t accept debit cards — check in advance
🧭 Final Tips
- 🚫 Don’t try to ship your Lisbon rental — it’s not allowed
- ✅ Book separate rentals for Madeira and Azores
- ✅ Choose airport pickup to avoid delays
- ✅ Go for compact autos with hill-hold assist for island driving
- ✅ Reserve early during peak season (June–September)
