Which place is cheaper, La Rochelle or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Funchal or La Rochelle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or La Rochelle? 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 La Rochelle?
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.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a lovely French city in the province of Charente-Maritime. It's located in western France and is a seaport on the Bay of Biscay. Most people who visit the city enjoy exploring the "Vieux Port" or Old Harbour area. This area is the heart of the city and it is a beautiful neighborhood that has many seafood restaurants and nice architecture. It's particularly enjoyable to walk around during the evening hours. Ile de Re is connected to the city by a bridge and is also a nice place to visit. If you head out of town, the surrounding countryside is very rural. North of the city is Venise Verte, which is very marshy and has many small canals. It's a popular area for inland boating.
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 Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93La Rochelle €114
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in La Rochelle is €114. 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 La Rochelle in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52La Rochelle €67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104La Rochelle €134
Compare Hotels in Funchal and La Rochelle
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or La Rochelle? 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 La Rochelle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94La Rochelle €17
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 La Rochelle
Also for La Rochelle, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from La Rochelle Port to Nantes Airport (NTE): $88
- Private Transfer from La Rochelle Cruise Port to Nantes Hotels: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or La Rochelle?
Prices for flights to both La Rochelle 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 dayFunchal €31La Rochelle €34
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15La Rochelle €13
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 La Rochelle
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Rochelle.
- 3 Hour La Rochelle Private Tour: $90
- 1.5 Hour Guided Tour in Poitiers: $98
- Discover Discovery Walking Tour of La Rochelle: $44
- Guided tour of La Rochelle The splendor of merchants in the 18th century: $22
- La Rochelle "The Heritage" Segway Tour - 1h30: $59
- La Rochelle : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
- La Rochelle : Private Custom Private Walking Tour With a local: $60
- La Rochelle : Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $50
- La Rochelle Grand Format Segway Tour: $87
- La Rochelle Heritage Segway Tour: $60
- La Rochelle Lighthouse at the end of the world Segway Tour: $44
- La Rochelle Seaside Segway Tour: $44
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16La Rochelle €16
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 La Rochelle, we can see that La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or La Rochelle?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and La Rochelle, 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 La Rochelle?
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 La Rochelle in the Summer?
Both La Rochelle and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.
Funchal is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in La Rochelle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)La Rochelle 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Funchal or La Rochelle in the Autumn?
Both La Rochelle and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Funchal is a little warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)La Rochelle 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Funchal or La Rochelle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and La Rochelle. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 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 La Rochelle. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)La Rochelle 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Funchal or La Rochelle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as La Rochelle. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
Funchal is much warmer than La Rochelle in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Rochelle. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than La Rochelle. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)La Rochelle 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Funchal
| Funchal | La Rochelle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.