A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Funchal vs. Rome for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Rome or Funchal?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in Rome is €207. 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 person
    Funchal 52
    Rome 90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Funchal 104
    Rome 180
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.

Hotels in Funchal


Hotels in Rome


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 9.94
    Rome 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal

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

  • Funchal, Madeira Cruise Port to Madeira Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $188
  • Madeira Airport (FNC) to Funchal Cruise Port - Round Trip Private Transfer: $79
  • Airport Transfers Funchal Airport: $35
  • Funchal Airport (FNC) to Funchal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
  • Funchal Airport Transfers: Experience Hassle-Free Travel: $45
  • Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
  • Caniçal Transfer for PR8 Hike São Lourenco: $33
  • Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer: $39
  • Transfer to PR1 Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Trail: $38
  • Madeira Airport (FNC) to Funchal, Madeira Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Madeira Airport (FNC) to Madeira - Arrival Private Transfer: $94

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:

  • Private Civitavecchia Port Transfer From / To Rome City Center: $295
  • Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Saturnia - Arrival Private Transfer: $295
  • Transfer Fiumicino airport - Civitavecchia port or vice versa: $295
  • Rome Airport Transfer & Pompeii Tour to Amalfi/Ravello Viceversa: $292
  • Ciampino Airport transfer: $289
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Rome Airport (FCO)(CIA) to Civitavecchia: $286
  • Transfer from Fiumicino/Ciampino/Rome to Civitavecchia Port: $283
  • Rome Private Transfer from Rome city centre to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $278
  • From Fiumicino to Orvieto Transfer: $275
  • Private Transfer from Rome to Sperlonga or Gaeta: $271
  • Arrival in Airport Transfer & Exclusive City Introduction: $269
  • Rome Private Sightseeing and Catacombs Underground Group Tour with Transfer: $269

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 day
    Funchal 54
    Rome 84
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: $33
  • Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $95

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.

  • Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
  • Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
  • Rome City Center Largest Farmers Market and Street Food Tour : $35
  • Pizza and Tiramisu Cooking Class near the Colosseum: $35
  • Pizza Making Class with Spritz & Mixology: $35
  • Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $42
  • Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $46
  • Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
  • Vatican Street Food Tour and Wine Experience with Local Guide: $47
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $47
  • Rome Food Tour by the Vatican : $52
  • Pizza Cooking Class in Rome City Center - Piazza Navona: $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Funchal 15
    Rome 36

Tours and Activities in Funchal

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

  • Sacred Art Museum of Funchal Entry Ticket: $18
  • Old Funchal Walking Tour: $20
  • Quick & Fun 30-Minute Tuk Tuk Tour with Local Guide: $23
  • Funchal Walking Tour: Tradition, History and Flavor: $29
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $29
  • KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $29
  • Nun's Valley Tour: $32
  • SUP Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $34
  • Nun's Valley & Pico dos Barcelos Madeira Island Tour: $35
  • Majestic West Tour and Fanal Forest : $36
  • Tour to Nun's Valley, Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado: $36
  • Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $36

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:

  • 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour in St. Peter's and Dome Exploration: $114
  • Appian Way and Aqueducts Electric Bike Tour: $90
  • Audio Guide Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Skip the Line : $95
  • Baths of Caracalla Guided Tour -Private or Shared: $131
  • Best of Rome by Night Private Sightseeing Chauffeured Tour: $228
  • Castel Sant Angelo Skip the Line Tickets: $43
  • Discover The Churches of Rome guided tour: $180
  • Evening Tour of the City’s Most Iconic Sights - Up To 6 People: $191
  • Golf Cart Small-Group Guided Tour: Rome City Highlights: $104
  • Golf Cart Tour of 3h with local guide and gelato: $216
  • Golfcart adventure in Rome: $156
  • Guided Tour of Rome's Churches and Art: $210

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Funchal 16
    Rome 18

Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal

Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Portuguese Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $40
  • Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $62
  • Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $63
  • Half-Day Wine Tour- Shared: $89
  • Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $93
  • Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $107
  • Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $112
  • Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $119
  • Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $208

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:

  • Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Small Group Experience: $19
  • Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $19
  • Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $35
  • Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $35
  • Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $39
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $47
  • Tour of Rome with wine tasting: $54
  • Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $59
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $60
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $66
  • Wine Tasting Cold cuts and Rare Cheeses in Grotta a Testaccio: $72
  • Trastevere Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $77


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 July
    Funchal 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 October
    Funchal 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 January
    Funchal 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 April
    Funchal 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)