Madeira on €37/Day: 9-Day Family Road Trip
DATA DASHBOARD
- Daily Rate (Per Person): €36.80
- Total Trip Cost (3 People): €993.50
- Trip Length: 9 Days
- Route: Whole Island (Madeira)
- Trip Date: March 2025
- Accommodation: Room via Airbnb
- Primary Tools: Airbnb, GO CAR, Pingo Doce
| ITEM | COST (3P) | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rental | €236.50 | €26.28/day. GO CAR Directly, insurance included. Check against DiscoverCars. |
| Fuel | €90.00 | €10/day |
| Parking | €18.00 | Trailheads and Funchal |
| Stay | €433.00 | 9 nights of Airbnb in Campanario |
| Food | €174.00 | €6.44/day per person Shopped at Pingo Doce Cooked at Airbnb |
| Activity | €42.00 | €5/person – CR7 Museum €9/person – hiking fees |
| TOTAL | €993.50 | 9 days at €36.80/day per person |
One week of travel cost me less than a day of work in Australia.
Car Rental at Funchal Airport
- Current prices: €52.87/week at the time of writing, but I’ve seen it as low as ~€20 in off-season and as high as €120 in high season. Plan your travel window for maximum savings. To avoid unnecessary desk fees, follow my Rental Excess Insurance Guide.
- Provider Rating: GO CAR. 5/5. No issues, smooth process. Booked directly with insurance included — no credit card required.
- Vehicle Audit: Volkswagen Up. Too weak. Struggled on steep inclines, frequently requiring first gear. For hilly destinations or multiple passengers, opt for a higher-torque vehicle – a lesson I’ve now learned.
- Fuel: Prices are capped by the Regional Government and reviewed weekly, effectively making them almost identical across all the gas stations.
- Tolls: There are no toll roads in Madeira.
- Parking: Trailheads get very busy, arrive early to secure a spot. Note that some locations have introduced parking fees.
Budget Accommodation in Madeira
- Consider Off-Season: Less crowded and cheaper.
- New Listings: We secured a great deal by booking an Airbnb listing with zero reviews that was running a promotional launch. It carried risk, but cancellation policy was active until 24 hours before arrival. I monitored reviews weekly – by the time we arrived, the listing had received multiple positive reviews.
- Tourist Tax: Municipality of Funchal – €2/night per person (for guests aged 13+), capped at €14 per person.
- Location: Madeira is compact. A single, centrally located base minimizes driving time and eliminates the need to change accommodations.
Other Budget Tips
- €4 50GB eSIM: If you need data, Lyca Mobile Portugal often runs a great promo – 50GB at €4/month. Check their site for active offers.
- Flights: Ryanair and easyJet often fly to mainland Portugal, the UK, and Ireland for as low as €15-€20
- Carnival: The street parades are totally free. Usually takes place in February, sometimes in March.
The Budget System
I keep daily travel costs under €20–€30 using two methods:
● €3/Day Rental Car Guide
● Sleeping in Rental Cars
