Which place is cheaper, Rome or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Funchal or Rome?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Rome? 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Rome €170
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Rome is €170. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Rome €89
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Rome €178
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Rome
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Rome? 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 Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Rome €21
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
-
Metro Ride (for Two)€2.00
-
Train to the Airport€15
-
Taxi to Airport€45
-
Bicycle Rental (Full Day)€10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Trieste Port: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Rome Hotels: $2,535
- Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO): 1-Way Transfer To Trieste Port: $2,535
- Rome Airport (FCO): Transfer to/from Venice Port: $2,007
- Luxury Private Transfer Siena to Rome Fiumicino Airport: $973
- Private luxury transfer Siena to Rome city center: $936
- Luxury private transfer Siena to Rome Ciampino airport: $936
- Private Transfer from Amalfi to Rome or viceversa: $839
- From Sorrento: Private Transfer to Rome or Vice Versa: $813
- Verona Airport (VRN) : One-Way Private Transfer to Ravenna: $706
- Sorrento to Rome 1-Way Private Transfer: $663
- Private Transfer from Naples to Rome or viceversa: $620
- From Private Transfer to Naples or Vice Versa: $588
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 dayFunchal €31Rome €47
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:
- 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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)€14
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches€2.99
-
Cafe e doce€4.00
-
Pizza (Fast Food)€2.65
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)€32
-
Cheese and bread€10
-
Espresso€2.00
-
Dinner€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
- Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $31
- Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
- Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
- Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
- Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $33
- Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $36
- Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
- Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
- Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
- Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
- Wine Tasting and Food Tour at Vatican and Trionfale Farmers: $43
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Rome €36
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)€69
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)€33
-
Roma Pass€30
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)€20
-
Segway Tour€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appian Way and Aqueducts Electric Bike Tour: $82
- Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $39
- Colosseum Arena Floor Guided Tour with Ancient Rome Access : $195
- Colosseum Gladiator Arena Floor Complete Guided Tour : $206
- Colosseum Tour With Kids: $195
- Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour with Circus Maximus and Forums: $16
- Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill Professional Guided Tour: $161
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour: $184
- Complete St Peters Basilica Tour with Dome Climb and Crypt: $43
- Cruise into Rome?! Full-Day Rome Discovery from Civitavecchia : $96
- Fast Track Colosseum with Arena and afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: $191
- Golf Cart Driving Tour: Rome City Highlights in 2.5 hrs: $104
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Rome €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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine€6.50
-
Pint of Beer€6.34
-
Beer€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Trionfale and Prati Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $31
- Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $32
- Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $32
- Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
- Vatican Quarter and Trionfale Farmers Market Food and Wine Tour: $43
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
- Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
- Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience & Vineyards Tour : $61
- Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
- E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
- Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Rome?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Rome, 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 Rome?
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 Rome in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Rome. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Funchal is cooler than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Funchal in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Funchal this time of the year. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Rome. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Rome. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Rome 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Rome in the Autumn?
Both Rome and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 21°C (70°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In October, Funchal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rome. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Rome 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Rome in the Winter?
Both Rome and Funchal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
Funchal is much warmer than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Rome. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Rome. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Rome 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Rome in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Rome. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Funchal is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Funchal in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Rome. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Rome 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Rome and Funchal
| Funchal | Rome | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.