Which place is cheaper, Ghent or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Ghent?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Ghent? 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 Ghent?
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.
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Ghent €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Ghent is €118. 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 Ghent in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Ghent €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Ghent €144
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Ghent
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Ghent? 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 Ghent Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Ghent €19
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 Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Ostend <-> Luxembourg transfer (1 to 8 places): $233
- Ghent <-> Amsterdam Shuttle Transfer (1 to 8 Seats): $229
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Luxury Van: $166
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Business Car: $147
- Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Ghent?
Prices for flights to both Ghent 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 €31Ghent €35
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 Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
- Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Ghent €8.64
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 Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $49
- Christmas Experience in Ghent - Walking Tour: $491
- Discover Ghent with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $22
- Experience Christmas in Mons - Walking Tour: $247
- Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $187
- Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $384
- From Brussels: Private Tour of Bruges, Ghent and Flanders: $620
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.26
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour: $49
- Ghent Beer and Sightseeing Adventure: $97
- Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track: $52
- Ghent City Highlights Walking Tour with Light Meal: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Ghent €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 Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- Ghent Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local: $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Ghent, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Ghent?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Ghent, 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 Ghent?
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 Ghent in the Summer?
Both Ghent and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Ghent 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Ghent in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Ghent. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.
Funchal is much warmer than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives more rain than Ghent. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Ghent 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Ghent in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Ghent. Additionally, many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Ghent 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Ghent in the Spring?
Both Ghent and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Funchal is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Ghent. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Ghent 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Ghent and Funchal
| Funchal | Ghent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.