Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Lake Garda? 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $44
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Sunrise Transfer to Hike Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo: $71
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $59
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $123
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $69
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $44
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 €31Lake Garda €42
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Lake Garda €30
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
- Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
- Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
- Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
- Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
- Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
- Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
- From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Lake Garda €19
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 Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Funchal or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Lake Garda. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Lake Garda. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Funchal is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Lake Garda in the Spring?
Both Lake Garda and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Funchal is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Lake Garda. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Funchal
| Funchal | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 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.