# @redwhiteadventures on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DY_0xaFMv5C
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66198694-redwhiteadventures-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/274a3ccac4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-31T09:02:12.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** DOM & JO | Full Time Travel Couple ✈️ (@redwhiteadventures) — https://gondola.cc/redwhiteadventures

## Caption

👇🏼 8 things you need to know before driving in Madeira 🚘

(Save this post so you don’t forget 🔖)

We’ve spent over 6 months exploring Madeira and rented more cars here than we can count — so trust us, these tips will make your trip a whole lot smoother:

🚙 Rent a small car

The roads in the old towns and mountain villages are tight. A small car will make driving here less stressful.

⚙️ Go automatic (if you’re not used to manual)

Madeira is super hilly, and the roads can be steep when you’re going from the villages & Funchal to the main highway, which takes you around.

The steepest road we drove on was 32% incline! If you’re not used to hill starts, save yourself the headache.

🅿️ Check for hotel parking before booking your hotel

Especially in Funchal, it can be hard to find parking. Make sure your place of accommodation offers parking before completing your booking.

Also, if you’re going hiking, keep in mind that a lot of the parking spots at the popular hikes fill up early!

📄 Double-check if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)

It’s not always required, but some rental companies might ask for it.

💳 Make sure you have a valid credit card

Most rental companies won’t let you book without one.

🗺️ Use Google Maps to navigate

We’ve found this one to be the most reliable app for navigating the island.

🚧 There are over 150 tunnels on the island

…and they actually make getting around way easier. We sometimes joke that Madeira is a Swiss Cheese 🧀

✈️ Watch out for planes

Just kidding… kind of! Actually, when you drive on the highway between Funchal and Machico, you will pass the airport – and you might have a plane flying right above you!

And once you’ve passed the airport, you will literally drive under the runway. It’s pretty cool!

Comment ‘DRIVE’ and we’ll send you our full blog post on what it’s like driving in Madeira + how to rent the most affordable car 🚗

🫶🏼 Follow redwhiteadventures for more Madeira tips

#madeiraisland #drivinginportugal #roadtripportugal #travelmadeira

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## Tags

travelmadeira, drivinginportugal, roadtripportugal, madeiraisland

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