Which place is cheaper, Catania or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Catania?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Catania? 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 Catania?
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.
Catania
Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is at the base of Mount Etna, which is the largest volcano in Europe. It's also the island's second largest city and a major transportation center for the area. With almost one million residents in the metropolitan area, the city serves as an important economic base and university town for Sicily. It's a vibrant city with a young population, a lively downtown, and an excellent nightlife. The city has an abundance of Sicilian Baroque architecture and the downtown area, where much of it is this architecture is concentrated, has been declared a World Heritage Site.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Catania €120
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Catania is €120. 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 Catania in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Catania €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Catania €130
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Catania
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Catania? 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 Catania Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Catania €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madeira Airport Shuttle Transfer one way: $9.81
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport: $29
- Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal: $33
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $44
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $44
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Catania:
- From 1-Way Private Airport Transfer to Palermo: $775
- Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Palermo by Car: $722
- TAXI Transfer from CATANIA to Capo d'Orlando (or vice versa): $421
- From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Agrigento: $373
- Private TAXI transfer from Catania to Agrigento or viceversa: $332
- Catania Airport to/from Verdura Resort Transfer: $321
- From Private transfer to Agrigento Temples: $320
- Private Transfer from Catania to PORTOROSA marina yachting: $310
- Private Transfer From Catania to Palermo or vice versa: $256
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from CATANIA to PALERMO (or VICEVERSA): $233
- Private TAXI transfer from CATANIA to MESSINA or viceversa: $230
- Private TAXI Transfer from Catania to Comiso (or viceversa): $214
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Catania?
Prices for flights to both Catania 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 €31Catania €41
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catania
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Catania.
- Catania Street Food Tour: Fish Market & City Centre: $38
- Catania Street Food Tour: $52
- Cooking class & visit to the Catania Historical market: $59
- Patisserie Food tour: $60
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $63
- Food tour of Catania by night: $64
- Catania Street Food Tour: $67
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $73
- Aci Trezza boat tour with dinner on board: $85
- Cooking Class Tiramisù: $95
- Cooking Class Arancini in Catania: $96
- Cooking class Pizza: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Catania €19
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.81
- Sacred Art Museum of Funchal Entry Ticket: $11
- Old Funchal Walking Tour: $15
- Scenic Route - Nuns Valley Tour: $25
- Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 3 in 1: $27
- Christmas Lights in Funchal Tuk Tuk Tour: $27
- São Vicente Caves and Volcano Center Half-Day Tour: $27
- Majestic West Tour : $31
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- Exorbitant West Tour: $33
- Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $33
Tours and Activities in Catania
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Catania are as follows:
- From Catania, Syracuse and Taormina: fly fishing experience: $240
- Taormina and Castelmola private tour with traditional lunch: $272
- 2 hours guided tour of Catania: $40
- 3-Hour Catania Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Agrigento and Piazza Armerina day tour: $131
- BOAT TOUR WITH APERITIF ON BOARD IN THE CYCLOPS ISLANDS: $64
- Baroque shades of Sicily (Noto, Modica and Ragusa day tour): $120
- Benedictine Monastery of Guided tour in English: $11
- Boat tour to the Ulysses caves with swimming guide: $84
- Boat trip and tour Savoca and Taormina: $142
- Catania : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
- Catania Bike Tour with Tasting food: $182
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Catania €18
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 Catania
Also in Catania, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Volcanic Wine Tasting in a Metropolitan Market: $48
- Wine Tasting in the South Slope of Etna: $50
- Etna: Urban Winery, Vineyards Walk & Wine Tasting at Sunset: $62
- Wine tour in Catania: $102
- Mt Etna and Wine tasting tour from Catania: $116
- Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania: $126
- From Mt.Etna picnic and wine tasting: $128
- Guided Tour of Etna with Wine Tasting & Appetizers: $139
- Etna trekking and wine tasting: $147
- Tour Etna & Wine Tasting: $158
- Etna Tour and Lunch in a Winery with Wine Tasting: $265
- From Catania/Taormina: Mount Etna Private Wine Tasting Tour: $433
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Catania, we can see that Catania 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 Catania would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Catania 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 Catania Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Catania?
Catania has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Catania, 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 Catania?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Funchal or Catania in the Summer?
Both Catania and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is cooler than Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Catania. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in July than Catania. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Catania 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Catania in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Catania. Also, many visitors come to Catania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Funchal is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives less rain than Catania. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Catania 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Catania in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Catania. Also, most visitors come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Catania. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Catania. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Catania. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Catania 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Catania in the Spring?
Both Catania and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Funchal is a little warmer than Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Catania. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Catania during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Catania. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Catania 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Catania and Funchal
| Funchal | Catania | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 87 mm (3.4 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.