Which place is cheaper, Sorrento or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Sorrento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Sorrento? 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 Sorrento?
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.
Sorrento
Sorrento is a popular travel destination in Campania, Italy. The city has nice architecture and many shops and outdoor cafes you can enjoy. Its access via the Circumvesuviana rail system make it a great base for visiting Pompeii and Ercolano.
The city has a Mediterranean climate that has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The pleasant climate make it a popular destination year around, although you can expect crowds during the peak summer months.
You'll find no shortage of hotels and hostels in town as the city's economy is very much dependent on tourism. Hostels are generally clean and comfortable, but they may be more expensive than you expect. If you travel during the low season you're likely to save some money even if the weather isn't as nice. Mid range hotel rooms are usually smaller than their American counterparts, but they are clean and nice and often come with a complimentary breakfast. The same can generally be said for more expensive hotels.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Sorrento €140
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Sorrento is €140. 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 Sorrento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Sorrento €90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Sorrento €180
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Sorrento
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Sorrento? 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 Sorrento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Sorrento €7.56
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 Sorrento
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sorrento are as follows:
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Local Bus Ticket€4.20
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Ferry to Capri (Round Trip)€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sorrento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sorrento:
- Transfer to Naples with Herculaneum Guided Tour: $404
- Transfer to Naples with Guided Tour of Pompeii: $404
- Private transfer from Sorrento to Rome: $281
- Private Transfer from Sorrento to Amalfi: $251
- Transfer Naples airport/station to Sorrento with stop in Pompeii: $240
- Naples: Private transfer to Sorrento one way: $235
- Naples Airport (NAP): Private One-Way Transfer from Sorrento: $235
- Private Transfer by Minivan from Sorrento to Naples Airport, Train Station, Port: $235
- Sorrento to Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $224
- Private Transfer by Car from Sorrento to Ravello or from Ravello to Sorrento: $218
- Private transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $218
- Private Airport Transfer from Sorrento to Naples Station: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Sorrento?
Prices for flights to both Sorrento 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 €31Sorrento €38
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
Typical Food Prices in Sorrento
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sorrento:
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Pizza€6.00
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€43
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sorrento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sorrento.
- Private Virtual Cooking Class from Sorrento : $33
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class and Wine Tasting: $48
- Sorrento Art & Food Tour on Breathless 'Views Village: $50
- Pizza Making Class at Tirabusciò Cooking School: $64
- Pizza Making Class: $64
- Sorrento Pizza Making: $65
- Pizza Making Course: $70
- Dinner in Sorrento with Love, Laugh and Spaghetti: $70
- Pizza School Experience from Sorrento: $71
- Farm Visit with Pizza Lesson, Wine, and Limoncello: $75
- Pizza School with Wine and Limoncello Tasting in a Local Farm: $76
- Private Cooking Class in Sant'Agnello: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Sorrento €33
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 Sorrento
Here are a few typical costs in Sorrento for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Chair & Umbrella at Beach€10
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Bike Rental (24 Hours)€20
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Scuba Diving (Single Dive)€45
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Blue Mini Cruise€22
Tours and Activities in Sorrento
Here are a few actual costs in Sorrento for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All inclusive Herculaneum Skip the Line Tour From Sorrento: $115
- Positano, Amalfi and Ravello Small-Group Tour From Sorrento: $130
- 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Sorrento : $199
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Sorrento with Local Food Tasting: $39
- 3 Hours Guided Boat Tour for Small Groups on the Island of Capri: $164
- 3 hours Private Capri Boat Tour : $239
- 8 Hour Tour of Capri and Anacapri: $66
- AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON ALLEGRA21: $1,390
- AMALFI COAST FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR ON SAVER HARD TOP: $2,299
- Amalfi Boat Tour From Sorrento with Positano Trip: $152
- Amalfi Coast Boat Tour: $206
- Amalfi Coast Boat Tour From Sorrento: $166
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Sorrento €8.72
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 Sorrento
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sorrento are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sorrento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sorrento:
- Walking Tour Wine Tasting and Typical Products in Sorrento Farm: $71
- Campania wine tasting with traditional foods: $75
- Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $97
- Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting : $98
- Small Group Sorrento Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $104
- From Mount Vesuvius Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $107
- Wine Tasting Including Lunch: $108
- Lemon, Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $109
- From Full-Day Pompeii & Wine Tasting Tour: $136
- Full Day Small Group Pompeii Tour from Sorrento with Local Wine Tasting: $139
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Wine tasting + Easy lunch: $185
- Guided Tour of Pompei and Wine Tasting from Sorrento: $205
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Sorrento, we can see that Sorrento 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 Sorrento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sorrento 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 Sorrento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Sorrento?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sorrento. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Sorrento, 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 Sorrento?
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 Sorrento in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Sorrento. Also, most visitors come to Sorrento for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Funchal this time of the year. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Sorrento. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 313 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than Sorrento. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Sorrento 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Sorrento in the Autumn?
Both Sorrento and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sorrento because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Funchal is a little warmer than Sorrento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Sorrento fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sorrento. It's quite rainy in Funchal. In October, Funchal usually receives less rain than Sorrento. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Sorrento 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Sorrento in the Winter?
Both Sorrento and Funchal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Sorrento this time of year.
In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Sorrento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Sorrento averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than Sorrento. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sorrento receives 115 hours of full sun.
Sorrento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Sorrento. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Sorrento 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Sorrento in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Sorrento. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sorrento for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Sorrento. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Sorrento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Funchal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sorrento during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Sorrento receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sorrento. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sorrento receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Sorrento 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Sorrento and Funchal
| Funchal | Sorrento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.