Which place is cheaper, Pisa or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Pisa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Pisa? 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 Pisa?
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.
Pisa
Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Pisa €120
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Pisa is €120. 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 Pisa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Pisa €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Pisa €120
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Pisa
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Pisa? 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 Pisa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Pisa €11
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 Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Florence: Round-trip Transfer to Pisa & Cinque Terre: $1,230
- Florence: Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA): $396
- Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence City centre: $291
- Transfer from Pisa to Siena with stop in San Gimignano for lunch: $273
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Fiesole: $264
- Private Sightseeing Transfer from Pisa to Florence: $245
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Firenze: $240
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Volterra: $229
- Private Transfer From Pisa To Florence, English Speaking Driver: $209
- Departure Private Transfer from Pisa to La Spezia by car or van: $203
- Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence Hotels: $202
- Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lucca: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Pisa?
Prices for flights to both Pisa 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 €31Pisa €50
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
Typical Food Prices in Pisa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
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Dinner€75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $39
- Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $75
- Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $93
- Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $93
- Pisa Food Tour: $95
- Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
- Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
- Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa: $158
- Authentic Italian Food Tour in Pisa: $521
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Pisa €20
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 Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
- Skip-the-Line Best of Pisa and Leaning Tower Guided Tour for Kids and Families: $273
- 2-Day Tour: Pisa, Cinque Terre & Tuscany: $320
- 2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path: $27
- Adventure in Pisa + Tower Admission: $182
- Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket: $53
- Best of Small group tour with admission tickets: $57
- Bocelli Chianti Hills E-Bike Guided Tour + Wine Food Tasting: $157
- Carrara Marble Quarries Tour by Land Rover: $82
- Carrara Marble Quarry Tour with Food Tasting: $97
- Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Tour Adventure in a 4x4: $82
- Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa: $184
- Discovering Pisa in Christmas Time – Walking Tour: $443
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Pisa -
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 Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $48
- Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $50
- Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $75
- From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $90
- Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $97
- Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $99
- Tuscan Wine Tour in Pisa by shuttle: $163
- Pisa & Lucca with wine Tasting and Lunch from Livorno: $663
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Pisa, we can see that Pisa 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa 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 Pisa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Pisa?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Pisa, 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 Pisa?
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 Pisa in the Summer?
Both Pisa and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Pisa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Pisa. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Pisa 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Pisa in the Autumn?
Both Pisa and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Funchal is a little warmer than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.
Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Pisa 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Pisa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Pisa. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 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 Pisa. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Pisa 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Pisa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Pisa. Additionally, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Funchal is a little warmer than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pisa. Funchal usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Pisa 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Pisa and Funchal
| Funchal | Pisa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 80 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.