Which place is cheaper, Saint-Etienne or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Saint-Etienne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Saint-Etienne? 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 Saint-Etienne?
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.
Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.
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 Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Saint-Etienne €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Saint-Etienne is €108. 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 Saint-Etienne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Saint-Etienne €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Saint-Etienne €92
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Saint-Etienne
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Saint-Etienne? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Saint-Etienne €44
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Saint-Etienne?
Prices for flights to both Saint-Etienne 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 €31Saint-Etienne €34
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Saint-Etienne €25
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Saint-Etienne €10
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
When comparing the travel costs between Funchal and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Saint-Etienne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Saint-Etienne?
Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?
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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?
Both Saint-Etienne and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?
Both Saint-Etienne and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.
In the autumn, Funchal is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Saint-Etienne. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 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 Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.
Funchal is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
In the spring, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint-Etienne. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Funchal
| Funchal | Saint-Etienne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.