Which place is cheaper, Bonn or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Bonn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Bonn? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Funchal or Bonn?
Funchal
Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous region of Madeira on the island of Madeira. The city is located to the south between the cities of Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos. It is actually named for the fennel plant which grows liberally on the island. The city was most significant as a shipping center between the 15th and 17th centuries. Today it has a population of over 100,000 people and is, arguably, one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal. It's appeal as a tourist destination has made it the leading Portuguese port for cruise line dockings.
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Bonn €154
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Bonn is €154. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Funchal and Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Bonn €85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Bonn €170
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Bonn
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Bonn? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Funchal Hotel Prices and Bonn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Bonn €23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $123
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Sunrise Transfer to Hike Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo: $71
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $69
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $65
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $59
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport): $54
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Funchal Hotels or Address): $54
- Madeira Island Transfers: $53
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn and Funchal change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayFunchal €31Bonn €49
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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Coffee€1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Funchal
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Walking Food Tour Around Funchal: $31
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Bonn €34
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Low Cost Wheelchair Handicap Half Day Tour, Fully Accessible Tour : $76
- “Le tour de Churchill” - From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos: $58
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- 4 Hours Adventure Jeep Tour in Central Madeira Portugal: $47
- 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $71
- Accessible Half Day Tour Cabo Girão: $120
- Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $158
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Amazing West - Jeep Safari Tour - Full Day: $60
- Arieiro Peak, Santo da Serra and Cristo Rei 4x4 Experience: $49
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $65
- Around the island - Two days tour: $82
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $120
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $51
- Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $222
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
- Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $321
- Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Bonn €23
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skywalk and 4x4 Adventure with Amazing Views and Wine Tasting: $49
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $53
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $53
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $56
- Pub Crawl: $59
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $86
- Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching: $97
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $98
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $102
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $109
- Wine Tour by Overland Madeira: $150
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Funchal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Funchal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Funchal and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Funchal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Bonn?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Bonn, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Funchal or Bonn?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Funchal or Bonn in the Summer?
Both Bonn and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
In July, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Bonn. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Bonn 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Bonn in the Autumn?
Both Bonn and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.
Funchal is much warmer than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Bonn 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Bonn in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Bonn. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Bonn. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Bonn 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Bonn in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Bonn.
In April, Funchal is generally much warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Bonn. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Bonn 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Bonn and Funchal
| Funchal | Bonn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.