My credit card was not accepted for the €1300 security deposit, despite the fact it's a REAL credit card. I had to pay an extra €283 for insurance to take the reserved car ! I then was asked to ma... See more
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
The daily rental was very competitive but then additional (non transparent) costs were added. Firstly an optional 12.5 euro fee to clean the car with emphasis that this would rise to 25 euro if no... See more
Company replied
Communication was oké, car was oké. Transfers oké. We noticed that others were asked to pay extra for cleaning, insurance, better automatic car, We did not get those questions because we booked at... See more
Company replied
Clear communication, good car, good experience overall. On a critical note: despite having sent our arrival time, we had to wait for the shuttle quite some time. The mandatory cleaning (do it yoursel... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
A Funchal Drive é uma empresa de aluguer de viaturas dedicada a oferecer um serviço simples, transparente e de confiança. Com uma frota moderna e diversificada, preparada para responder a diferentes necessidades e orçamentos, destaca-se pelo atendimento personalizado, pela qualidade do serviço e pela proximidade com cada cliente. Se procura conforto, segurança e uma experiência de aluguer sem complicações, a Funchal Drive é uma opção prática, eficiente e confiável. ✅🌍
Contact info
Rua Quinta do Leme 102, 9020-223, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- +351 965 322 722
- info@funchaldrive.com
- funchaldrive.com
3.1
Average
562 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 79% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
RIMANTAS, VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC
The car was clean, and the fuel tank was truly full. There were no issues driving up steep inclines, even with the air conditioning running. We are satisfied with our choice and the car provided. We received excellent service, even without speaking a foreign language.
15 July 2026
Unprompted review
Good Service
Good Service, I had to pay 12,5€ for washing the car, what I never had to do until know when I rented a car..
The return was easy and fast.
14 July 2026
Unprompted review
The shuttle from and to the airport is…
The shuttle from and to the airport is good.
We had a good driving and comfortabel Citroën C3.
Pick up from the car was good and clearly.
7 July 2026
Unprompted review
We finished renting the vehicle on June…
We finished renting the vehicle on June 22, 2026. As of today, July 14, 2026, there is still a €1200 hold on my VISA card. I was informed that the card would be released within a few days, but this has not happened. Please unfreeze it. This is the reason for my low rating.
17 June 2026
Unprompted review
They do not accept credit cards from online banks (even physical ones)
They do not accept credit cards (even physical ones) from "online banks" in our case DKB. Since we did not have another card with us, we had to pay 350€ extra to get the gold insurance (we already booked the full insurance but that was not enough). They were absolutely aware of the issue and it was written somewhere in the fine print, but there was no clear warning in the confirmation about this and they also didn't seem to care or try to change anything about it to solve this issue. Another couple had the same issue at the same time. This really was a bad start to our vacation.
2 July 2026
Unprompted review
Everything went very well
Everything went very well. Good and clean car, employees were friendly and gave good advises. Shuttle from and to the airport was super. Prices are fair. We liked!
9 July 2026
Unprompted review
Everything went well and smooth
Everything went well and smooth. The service was really good and helpful.
14 July 2026
Unprompted review
Very fast car hand over
Very fast car hand over and airport pick up and return transfer. The car was in very good condition and technically up to date.
The staff members were very friendly, everything was quick and efficient.
27 June 2026
Unprompted review
I’ll explain briefly the 1 ⭐️ rating:
I’ll explain briefly the 1 ⭐️ rating:
I deducted one star because they arrived more than 35 minutes later than the agreed pickup time (14:05 instead of 13:30). This company is 4 to 5 minutes away from the airport.
I deducted a second star because, instead of apologizing for the delay, they threatened to leave us behind when we complained. The lady driver was quite aggressive and rude, and scared my son.
I deducted a third star because they appeared to retaliate by giving us the worst car in their fleet, even though we had booked a better one. It had engine problems, no connectivity what so ever and just one USB plug not working. All 4 days we just drive 350 km using Google maps on our phones.
I deducted a fourth star because, despite all of the above, they still overcharged us wherever they could with no remorse. At the time we felt abused and mocked.
Overall, this was an extremely disappointing experience. Poor customer service, an inferior replacement vehicle, and excessive extra charges left us with no reason to give more than one star.
Hope the owner will read this and improve future customer services.
Drive safe everyone!
9 July 2026
Unprompted review
Okay but not great
The car was not in the best condition. For example tires pressure controll lamp got yellow fast. Also the fuel wasnt full when we got the car, which makes it hard at the end to check how much fuel it should get. Also that we had to use fuel 98 is not nice. And at the start, the transport took long time to get to the airport.
29 June 2026
Unprompted review
Getting the car and returning were fast, insurance is an issue
Getting the car and returning were fast and easy. I got a brand new car which was great. Location is a little bit far to the center, you should take a bus or a taxi to get there. And better to rent the car from this company directly instead of zest or other platforms, otherwise they say that they do not accept the insurance you bought and they are trying to sell additional insurance to you
9 July 2026
Unprompted review
Problem solved
I had a problem with the car, but Rebeca and the staffahelped me with all her kindness and tough work to solve it. Better impossible
6 July 2026
Unprompted review
Bad experience overall
Bad experience overall. We rented two cars for our family, but the process turned out to be unnecessarily complicated and frustrating. I was not allowed to be registered as the main driver for both vehicles, which forced my son, a student, to use his credit card. Unfortunately, his card did not have a sufficient limit, and the staff refused to accept the credit card of the second approved driver as an alternative, which was difficult to understand.
As a result, we lost both time and money and ultimately had to rent the second car from another company.
In addition, we were charged an extra fee of 12.5 euros for cleaning the car, which was neither clearly communicated nor justified. This felt excessive and unfair.
Overall, the lack of flexibility and comprehension of the staff, unclear policies, and unexpected charges made this a disappointing experience. I would not recommend this company.
3 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Jerome,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We are sorry to hear that the rental process did not meet your expectations and we understand your frustration regarding the situation described. We always strive to provide a clear, efficient and transparent service while following the necessary requirements to ensure the security and proper completion of the rental process.
We would like to clarify that, when renting with us, it is necessary to present a valid credit card issued in the name of the main driver for the security deposit pre-authorisation. Alternatively, we accept debit cards upon the purchase of our additional coverage options, which allow customers to avoid the need for a credit card deposit pre-authorisation.
All this information is available for consultation on our website www.funchaldrive.com and is also provided during the booking process, allowing customers to review the applicable rental conditions in advance.
Regarding the situation with the cards presented, the established requirements apply to all reservations and are necessary to ensure compliance with the rental conditions. We regret that, in this case, it was not possible to find a solution that met your expectations.
Regarding the cleaning service, we would like to clarify that all vehicles are delivered to customers clean and must be returned in the same condition. We offer an optional cleaning service designed to provide greater convenience to our customers, allowing them not to have to worry about cleaning the vehicle upon return.
We would like to emphasize that all additional services and products offered by our team are entirely optional, and the final decision to accept them always remains with the customer.
We regret that your experience was not the one you expected and appreciate your feedback, which will be taken into consideration by our team.
Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Was charged an upfront 12 euro fee for…
Was charged an upfront 12 euro fee for cleaning the car upon return, when we picked up the car the windshield was so dirty on the inside and covered in toe prints, we had to clean it ourselves just to drive the car, it was also given to us with just under 3/4 of a tank of fuel.
4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Jody,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We are sorry to hear that the condition of the vehicle at pick-up did not meet your expectations. We understand the importance of receiving a clean and well-prepared vehicle, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
We would like to clarify that all vehicles are delivered clean and ready for use and should be returned in the same condition. We offer an optional cleaning service for customers who prefer the added convenience of not having to worry about the vehicle cleaning at the end of the rental period. This service is entirely optional and is offered as an additional convenience for our customers.
Regarding the fuel level, vehicles are provided according to the fuel policy agreed at the time of booking, and the same level should be maintained upon return.
We appreciate your comments, as they help us continue improving our service and customer experience.
Should you require any further clarification, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Mia,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with our service and that the vehicle provided met your expectations.
Your satisfaction is very important to us, and we truly appreciate your trust in choosing Funchal Drive.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit to Madeira.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Slow service because only one person in…
Slow service because only one person in charge. They pressed to take coverage with them and to pay for car cleaning. Car OK exccept for the brakes that were not too fine.
3 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Patricio,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not fully meet your expectations. We understand that waiting times can be frustrating, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. During certain periods of higher demand, service times may be extended, and we are continuously working to improve our procedures and provide a more efficient experience.
Regarding the additional coverage options and services offered, we would like to clarify that all our products and extras are completely optional. Our team provides information about the available options so that customers can make an informed decision, but the final choice always remains with the customer.
Concerning the vehicle condition, we regret that you felt the brakes were not performing as expected. We take vehicle safety very seriously, and all vehicles are regularly checked and maintained according to our procedures.
Thank you again for your feedback, as it helps us continue improving our service.
Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
Great customer service
Great customer service at pickup and drop off. Car was exactly what we needed to get around Madeira. Very smooth experience
6 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Andy,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you had a smooth experience with us and that our team provided you with great service during both the pick-up and drop-off process.
We are also pleased that the vehicle provided met your needs and allowed you to enjoy your time exploring Madeira comfortably.
Thank you for choosing Funchal Drive. We truly appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
We waited too much time for the van in…
We waited too much time for the van in both trips, from and to the airport, almost one hour. Moreover, I had to pay an extra insured due to you didn't accept my credict card, being of a phisical bank.
8 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear David,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We sincerely regret that you experienced longer waiting times than expected for our shuttle service. During periods of higher demand, waiting times may occasionally exceed the usual estimated timeframe, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We are continuously working to improve our service and provide a smoother experience for all our customers.
Regarding the payment method, we would like to clarify that, in order to collect a vehicle with us, the main driver must present a credit card in their own name with sufficient available funds for the security deposit. As an alternative, we accept debit cards when our optional coverage packages are contracted.
This information is clearly available on our website and is also provided during the booking process. We therefore recommend reviewing the terms and conditions, as well as the booking confirmation, where the accepted card policies and payment methods are detailed.
We would also like to clarify that all additional products and coverage options offered are completely optional, and the final decision to purchase them always remains with the customer.
Should you require any further clarification, we will be happy to assist you. Please feel free to contact us by email at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
We informed Autofunchal of our return…
We informed Autofunchal of our return and that we would be back at 1:00 AM. Autofunchal was aware of this, as we had sent WhatsApp messages, emails, and phone calls. No one was at the airport at 1:00 AM, as stipulated in our contract.
When we went to pick up the car, the employee told us that our car was no longer available because we were 12 hours late. We were therefore required to take an automatic, which we did not want. We were charged an additional €50. It was impossible to communicate with the Autofunchal employee. This is the first time we have experienced such a negative experience, despite having rented more than 10 cars from different companies. We felt as though they were trying to take advantage of us financially.
27 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Anne,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are sorry to learn that your perception of our service did not meet your expectations.
We would, however, like to clarify that whenever an out-of-hours pick-up service is requested, we provide all the necessary instructions and information in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient vehicle collection process.
We are committed to providing all pre-booked and confirmed services, including those taking place outside our normal business hours, provided that the instructions supplied for the vehicle collection are followed.
We regret any inconvenience or misunderstanding that may have contributed to your experience, as our goal is always to provide a transparent, professional, and reliable service to all our customers.
Should you require any further information please contact us at info@funchaldrive.com.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
We could get easily the car
We could get easily the car. Everything was welldone.
3 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Funchal Drive
Dear Ferenc,
Thank you very much for sharing your feedback.
We are delighted to hear that the car collection process was easy and that everything went smoothly during your rental.
We appreciate your kind words and are pleased that you had a positive experience with us.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
Kind regards,
Funchal Drive Team
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