A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Funchal vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Funchal or Budapest?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Funchal or Budapest? 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 Budapest?

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.

Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Funchal?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €84. 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 Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Funchal 52
    Budapest 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Funchal 104
    Budapest 92
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Budapest? 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.

Hotels in Funchal


Hotels in Budapest


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 Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Funchal 9.94
    Budapest 9.80

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    6.47
  • Metro Pass
    3.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,581
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,289
  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,181
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,059
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $930
  • Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $706
  • From Bucharest: One-way Private Fast Transfer to Budapest: $642
  • Budapest-Vienna Private Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $642
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $588
  • Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $471
  • Budapest-Vienna One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295
  • Budapest-Bratislava One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295

Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Funchal 31
    Budapest 22
Typical Food Prices in Funchal

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:


  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    3.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
  • Private Street Food Tour: $59
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
  • Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
  • Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
  • Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Funchal 15
    Budapest 20

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    6.35

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $164
  • Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $240
  • 101 things you have to see in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Dessert: $185
  • 10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks : $20
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $38
  • 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $49
  • 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $156
  • 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $59
  • 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
  • 3-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour in Budapest with Historian: $55
  • 3-Hour Orientation Walking Tour of Buda and Pest: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Funchal 16
    Budapest 17

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50


When comparing the travel costs between Funchal and Budapest, we can see that Funchal is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Funchal or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Budapest, 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 Budapest?

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 Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Funchal is around the same temperature as Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Budapest. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Funchal 22°C (72°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Funchal is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Funchal 21°C (70°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Budapest. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Budapest can be very cold during winter. In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 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 Budapest. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Funchal 16°C (61°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Budapest. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Funchal is a little warmer than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Budapest. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Funchal 17°C (63°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Funchal

Funchal Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (61°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)