Which place is cheaper, Porto or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon.
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Funchal Prices
Portugal PricesPorto Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €116Porto €160
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in Porto is €160. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Porto €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Porto €144
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Porto €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Funchal Airport(FNC)to Madeira Island-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
- Ponta de São Lourenço Trail with a Geologist (With Transfer): $112
- Private airport transfer to Funchal 8 people more return: $105
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $92
- Madeira Airport (FNC) to Madeira - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $89
- Madeira Airport (FNC) to Funchal - Round-Trip Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $73
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $71
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $70
- Funchal Airport (FNC) to Funchal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $544
- Transfer from Porto to the Douro Valley: $292
- Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Coimbra Center: $291
- Porto to/from Douro Valley (1-8 pax) Private Transfer in Mercedes: $290
- Private Transfer to Lisbon from Tarouca: $286
- Porto to Lisbon Private Transfer With Sightseeing Stops: $262
- Private Transfer from/to Porto - Lisbon: $244
- Private Transfer from Porto Airport (OPO) to Vigo Cruise Port: $202
- Aveiro Private Transfer to Oporto Airport: $140
- Arrival Transfer: Porto Airport OPO to Porto in Luxury Car: $139
- Departure Transfer: Porto to Porto Airport OPO in Luxury Car: $139
- Porto Private Transfer to/from Viseu: $134
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
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Food Meals for one dayFunchal €54Porto €63
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: $33
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $56
- Madeira Sunset by 4x4 with Dinner from Funchal: $66
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $105
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 Porto Wine (Lapa): $41
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Sé do Porto): $41
- Private Fabulist Food Tour: $65
- Porto Food Tour Market Tapas and Port Wine Cellar Experience: $70
- Dinner with Fado and Portuguese Traditional Music: $70
- Bolhão Market Guided Food Tour: $76
- Authentic Porto Small Group Food Tour with Local Tastings: $79
- Taste of the Ocean Authentic Porto Seafood Tour: $82
- Aveiro Private Cooking Experience (for vacation rental guests): $87
- Porto Food Tour: $87
- Shopping, cooking and eating together at my home in Porto: $87
- Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto by Taste Porto (since 2013): $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Porto €25
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- 25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6): $56
- Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo in Madeira (PR1.2) - Hiking Tour: $56
- Agriculture Green Tour: $105
- All Madeira In 2 Days Tour: $70
- Amazing East Tour: $41
- Arieiro Peak, Santana & Ponta São Lourenço in Open Roof 4X4 Tour: $80
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $70
- Around the island - Two days tour: $87
- Canyoning in Madeira A Level 2 Adventure to Remember: $99
- Christmas lights full day tour: $82
- Craters of Fire - 4X4 Full-Day Tour: $80
- Cristo Rei, Arieiro Peak and Santo da Serra 4x4 Experience: $52
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $222
- 3 Hour Complete Porto City Tour: $231
- 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Porto: $33
- 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $51
- 3-Hour Porto Jewish Heritage Walking Tour with Local Guide: $35
- 3-hour private guided walking tour of the BEST of Porto: $197
- 3h30 tour in Porto by Tuk Tuk: $114
- 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $82
- 516 Arouca Bridge & Paiva Walkways Tour with Lunch from Porto: $134
- 516 Arouca Bridge, Paiva Walkways and Aveiro Tour: $134
- AVEIRO COSTA NOVA AND COIMBRA Private Tour from Porto: $225
- Alvarinho Wine Private Tour from Porto – Melgaço & Vinho Verde: $257
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Porto €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, Amazing Views & Wine Tasting in Open Roof 4x4 Adventure: $55
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $64
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $64
- Madeira Tuk-Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting and Honey Cake: $76
- Half-Day Wine Tour- Shared: $87
- Madeira 4x4 Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $87
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $92
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $105
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $105
- Private Guided East Madeira Tour Waterfall and Distillery Visit: $233
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- 1 Demarcation Museum Tickets and Port Wine Tasting: $5.83
- Crazy Pub Crawl with 9 Drinks, Free Shots, Wild Games +VIP: $15
- Porto:Pub Crawl 4Bars,8Drinks,Games & VIP Club Entry: $21
- 4-hour Guided Porto Pub Crawl with 6 drinks and VIP CLUBentry: $21
- Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $21
- Pub Crawl Porto: $25
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 2 DOC Douro & 1 Port Wine: $27
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 3 Port Wines: $27
- Premium wine tasting at Quinta das Arcas: $28
- Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $29
- Fado Concert with Port Wine Tasting at Quinta da Boeira: $29
- Taylor's Port Cellars Visit & Port Wine Tasting: $29
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 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) |
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.