Which place is cheaper, Dublin or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Dublin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Dublin? 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 Dublin?
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.
Dublin
Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Dublin €143
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Dublin is €143. 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 Dublin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Dublin €68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Dublin €136
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Dublin
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Dublin? 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 Dublin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Dublin €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport: $29
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Funchal Hotels or Address): $54
- Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport): $54
- Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal: $33
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
- Madeira Airport Shuttle Transfer one way: $9.81
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $65
- Madeira Island Transfers: $53
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:
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Rental Car for a Day€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:
- One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $775
- One-Way Private Transfer to Galway: $668
- One-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $636
- Shannon: Private Airport Arrival Transfer to Dublin: $615
- One-Way Private Transfer to Shannon Airport: $615
- One-Way Private Transfer to Limerick: $583
- Dublin Airport:, Executive/chauffeur transfer to Belfast: $562
- Dublin Glasnevin National Cemetery Audio Tour with Transfers: $339
- Dublin Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets and Private Transfers: $305
- Collon House & Garden To Dublin Airport Or City Private Chauffeur Transfer : $298
- Dublin Airport To Collon House & Garden Private Chauffeur Transfer: $298
- Private Transfer from Dublin Airport to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $292
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Dublin?
Prices for flights to both Dublin 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 €31Dublin €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
Typical Food Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:
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Lunch Lynam's Pub€3.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.
- Walking Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $29
- Dublin 3-Course Dinner and Live Shows at The Irish House Party: $31
- No Diet Club - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $59
- Dublin Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $60
- Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $72
- Delicious Walking Food Tour: $80
- Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $82
- Private Cooking Class in a Modern Home with Sea Views in Skerries, Dublin: $84
- Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $95
- Private Market Tour and Irish Cooking Class in a Modern Skerries Home: $102
- Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner in Central Dublin: $106
- Dublin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Dublin €25
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin
Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Wild Wicklow Tour€26
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Guinness Brewery for Two€27
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St Pauls Cathedral€4.50
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Dublin Writer's Museum€6.30
Tours and Activities in Dublin
Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
- (Small Group) Cliffs of Moher and Castle Tour from Dublin: $141
- (Small Group) Shore Tour from Dublin:Dublin Highlights and Glendalough Day Trip: $119
- 1-Hour Cocktail Masterclass Experience in Dublin: $49
- 2-Day Northern Ireland Tour from Dublin Including Belfast and Giants Causeway: $217
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour from Dublin : $21
- 2-Hours Indoor Challenge Adventure Experience in Ireland: $31
- 2-Hours and 30 Minutes Historical Walking Tour in Dublin: $28
- 3 Hour Tour Freemasons and Templars Secret Societies: $20
- 3-Hour Drinks on Foot Dublin Walking Guided Tour: $30
- 4-Day Grand Atlantic Rail Tour from Dublin: $1,173
- 5-Day Tour of West Ireland: Blarney Stone & Cliffs of Moher: $1,451
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Dublin €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 Dublin
Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Authentic Brewery Tour: $11
- Generation Pub Crawl: $15
- Dublin Epic Pub Crawl: Experience Dublin's pubs and nightlife: $15
- "Dublin Delight Pub Expedition" Pub Crawl: $16
- The Dublin Liberties Distillery: Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $18
- Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $21
- Skip the Line: Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting in Dublin Ticket: $22
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $24
- City Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $24
- Roe and Co Distillery Cocktail Workshop Experience: $27
- Dublin Jameson Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tastings & Cocktail: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Dublin, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Dublin?
Dublin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Dublin, 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 Dublin?
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 Dublin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Dublin. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is a little warmer than Dublin in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Funchal this time of the year. In the summer, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Dublin 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Dublin in the Autumn?
Both Dublin and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Funchal is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Dublin averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In October, Funchal usually receives more rain than Dublin. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Dublin 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Dublin in the Winter?
Both Dublin and Funchal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Dublin. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dublin 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)Dublin 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Dublin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Dublin. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.
Funchal is much warmer than Dublin in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Dublin. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Dublin 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Dublin and Funchal
| Funchal | Dublin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 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.