Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Madrid?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Madrid? 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Madrid €136
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €136. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Madrid €77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Madrid €154
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Madrid €19
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
- Transfers Wheelchair Scooter Transfers Airport / Funchal: $87
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $65
- Transfer to Hiking Achada Teixeira - Pico Ruivo: $60
- 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
- Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $38
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Segovia: Full-Day Tour with Transfer to and from Madrid: $448
- Private Transfer Madrid City to Valladolid City by Sedan: $299
- Private Transfer from Moratalla to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Segovia City by Van: $266
- Balloon Ride with Transfer Option from Madrid City: $261
- From Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Transfer: $261
- Private Transfer from Bolnuevo to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from La Manga strip dos Mares to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $227
- Private Transfer from Corvera Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $218
- Private Transfer from Cieza to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $205
- Private Transfer from El Verger to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 €31Madrid €34
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:
- 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 Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $27
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $32
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $33
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $35
- Torres Bermejas Flamenco Show in Madrid with Dinner, Tapas or Drink: $38
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $42
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $42
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $42
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $52
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $60
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Madrid €34
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Wheelchair Full Day Tour Porto Moniz E Sao Vicente : $190
- Wheelchair Handicap Full Day East Tour Santana Tour : $190
- “Le tour de Churchill” - From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos: $58
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- 4 Days Tour Discovering Madeira: $279
- 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 : $157
- Agriculture Green Tour : $93
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $65
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Photo Tour with Pro Photographer Lifestyle and Portrait: $82
- Private Combo Tour Prado Museum and Reina Sofia: $221
- Toledo with Cathedral from Madrid Full Day Tour: $134
- "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $65
- 1 Hour Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $98
- 1-Hour Private Flamenco Class in Madrid Experience: $45
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.35
- 2 Hours Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $163
- 2-Hour Tour of the Madrid of Mysteries: $14
- 2.5-Hour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid: $37
- 3 Hours Walking Tour in Madrid: $266
- 3-Hour Tapas Walking Tour of Madrid Food and Drink Included: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Madrid €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 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: $55
- Pub Crawl: $59
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $86
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $98
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $101
- Exclusive Wine Tasting in the Wine Region of Boaventura: $103
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $109
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $158
- Full Day Private Madeira Wine Tour from Funchal: $171
- Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $190
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.59
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $11
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Madrid, 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.
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.