A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Funchal vs. Porto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Funchal or Porto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Funchal or Porto? 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 Porto?

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.

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.

Which place is cheaper, Porto or Funchal?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Porto is €126. 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 Porto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Funchal 52
    Porto 65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Funchal 104
    Porto 130
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Porto

Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Porto? 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.

Hotels in Funchal


Hotels in Porto


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 Porto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Funchal 9.94
    Porto 21

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: $124
  • Madeira: Private Monte Tour By Cable Car with Transfer: $110
  • Funchal Airport(FNC)to Madeira Island-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
  • Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $89
  • Transfers Wheelchair Scooter Transfers Airport / Funchal: $88
  • PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $69
  • Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $66
  • Transfer to Hiking Achada Teixeira - Pico Ruivo: $61
  • Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $60
  • Madeira Airport Business Van Transfers: $55
  • Madeira Airport (FNC) Departure Transfer (Funchal Hotels to Madeira Airport): $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to Algarve: $1,086
  • From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with Aveiro Tour: $863
  • Transfer to Lisbon: $706
  • Luxury Sedan car transfer to Lisbon.: $654
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Lisbon: $652
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Coimbra & Fatima: $636
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stop at Nazaré: $592
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stop at Óbidos: $592
  • Transfer to Santiago Compostela: $565
  • Transfer to Vigo: $521
  • Private transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $498
  • Porto to Braga Transfer: Explore Sameiro Sanctuary: $489

Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Porto?

Prices for flights to both Porto 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 day
    Funchal 31
    Porto 36
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:

  • Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $42
  • Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $77
  • Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $114
  • Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $114

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto

For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Local Wine: $38
  • Tastiest Calories Food Tour: $49
  • Bolhão Market and Codfish Tasting Guided Food Tour: $53
  • Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $57
  • Half-Day Food Tour: $69
  • 3-Hour Food Tour: $69
  • Immersive Food Tour Experience: $71
  • Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $71
  • Oporto Food Tour Immersive Experience with +12 Tastings: $72
  • Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $75
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $76
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Funchal 15
    Porto 25

Tours and Activities in Funchal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.

  • Wheelchair Handicap Full Day East Tour Santana Tour : $193
  •  Magnificent East Tour: $33
  • 4 hours Unique Classic Jeep Tour to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira: $63
  • 4-Hour Private Outdoor Tour in Madeira: $176
  • 4x4 Full-Day Tour to Explore Portugal's Scents and Flavors: $64
  • 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $72
  • 4x4 Jeep Tour to the West & Northwest of Madeira: $66
  • 4x4 tour Porto Moniz & Cabo Girão 7 hours: $77
  • Agriculture Green Tour : $94
  • All Madeira In 2 Days Tour: $72
  • Amazing East Tour : $31
  • Arieiro Peak, Santo da Serra and Cristo Rei 4x4 Experience: $50

Tours and Activities in Porto

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.

  • 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $77
  • 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $209
  • 1 Hour Port Wine Class with Tasting in Touriga, Portugal: $55
  • 1.5-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour Historic Porto: $26
  • 19th Century metal portrait an unique experience Porto-Portugal : $64
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $160
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in Two Banks of Porto: $33
  • 2-Hours of Porto Sunset Segway Tour - Guided Experience: $59
  • 2-hour Private Tour (1 to 6 people) on the Douro River with a local: $155
  • 3 Hour Porto Essential Private Tour: $50
  • 3 Hour Tuktuk Tour in Porto: $99
  • 3-Hour Best of Porto Segway Tour - Guided Experience: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Funchal 16
    Porto 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: $50
  • Half-Day Wine Tour in Madeira: $77
  • Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $87
  • Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching: $98
  • Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $99
  • Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $103
  • Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $110
  • Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $160
  • Full Day Private Madeira Wine Tour from Funchal: $173
  • Full-Day Madeira Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $193

Sample the Local Flavors in Porto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:

  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.69
  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket with Wine Tasting: $8.81
  • Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
  • Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $20
  • Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $20
  • Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $20
  • Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
  • Pub Crawl Porto Live night: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Shots and Drinking Games: $21
  • Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Rooftop Fado concert, Port wine tasting, Portuguese tart: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Funchal or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Porto. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Porto. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Funchal 22°C (72°F) 
    Porto 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Funchal is a little warmer than Porto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto 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 Porto. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Funchal 21°C (70°F) 
    Porto 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Porto. Furthermore, most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Porto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Porto averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Porto during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Funchal usually receives less rain than Porto. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Funchal 16°C (61°F) 
    Porto 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Porto. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Porto. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Funchal usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Funchal 17°C (63°F) 
    Porto 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Porto and Funchal

Funchal Porto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (61°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)