Which place is cheaper, Messina or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Messina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Messina? 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 Messina?
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.
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Messina €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Messina 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 Messina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Messina €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Messina €130
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Messina
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Messina? 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 Messina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Messina €22
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Messina?
Prices for flights to both Messina 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 €31Messina €37
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 Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Messina €21
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 Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Messina: $271
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina: $152
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina: $208
- Etna and Taormina Private Tour from Giardini Naxos: $240
- From Private Guided Day Tour of Savoca and Taormina: $642
- From Private Tour of Etna & Taormina with Pickup: $684
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Messina €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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Messina, we can see that Messina 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina 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 Messina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Messina?
Messina has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Messina, 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 Messina?
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 Messina in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Messina. Additionally, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Funchal is generally cooler than Messina. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Funchal this time of the year. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Messina. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Messina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Messina in the Autumn?
Both Messina and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Messina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. It's quite rainy in Funchal. In October, Funchal usually receives less rain than Messina. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Messina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Messina in the Winter?
Both Messina and Funchal during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year.
In the winter, Funchal is a little warmer than Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Messina. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.
Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Messina. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Messina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Messina in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Messina. Also, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Messina during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Messina. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Messina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Messina and Funchal
| Funchal | Messina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.