Which place is cheaper, Tenerife or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Tenerife?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Tenerife? 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 Tenerife?
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.
Tenerife
European tourists have long known Tenerife as a top vacation destination. Amazing beaches and a booming nightlife bring in visitors to the largest of the Canary Islands all the way from England, Germany and Spain - particularly during the Easter holiday. Now the rest of the world is catching up. It's not just a spot for spring breakers looking for a party - it is full of mountains, volcanoes and forests ready for exploring.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Tenerife €128
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Tenerife is €128. 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 Tenerife in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Tenerife €53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Tenerife €106
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Tenerife
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Tenerife? 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 Tenerife Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Tenerife €60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $44
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Sunrise Transfer to Hike Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo: $71
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $59
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $123
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $69
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $44
- PR18 Levada do Rei Private transfer: $71
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tenerife
Also for Tenerife, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Discover Scuba Diving with two dives in the Ocean in Tenerife with Transfers: $262
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS): Transfer to Santa Cruz Port: $252
- Tenerife Airport Transfer from South Airport (Reina Sofia) to North Area Hotels: $197
- Tenerife Transfer from North Area Hotels to South Airport (Reina Sofia): $197
- Private Transfer South Tenerife Airport to Guia de Isora Area: $131
- Private South Tenerife Airport Transfer to South Hotels: $126
- Tenerife Airport (TFN) to Tenerife Round-Trip Private Transfer: $101
- Loro Parque & Siam Park Entry Ticket with Transfer: $99
- Adeje: Guided Bike Tour to Masca with Transfers and Drinks: $99
- Santa Cruz Tenerife Cruise Port to Tenerife hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS) to Tenerife Cruise Port -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
- Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Ticket & Transfer: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Tenerife?
Prices for flights to both Tenerife 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 €31Tenerife €39
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tenerife
For Tenerife, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner & Drink: $33
- Tenerife : Horse Show Entry ticket with optional dinner: $48
- Castillo San Miguel Medieval Show with Dinner: $51
- Medieval San Miguel castle with dinner-Show in South Tenerife : $52
- Music Hall Tavern Comedy Drag Show Ticket & Dinner: $52
- Teide Sunset Night Tour with Dinner and Stargazing: $58
- Teide National Park Night Sky Star Safari & Dinner: $59
- Medieval Show and Dinner at Castillo San Miguel with Transfer: $67
- Self Driving Sunset Tour with Dinner and Stargazing in Tenerife: $71
- Teide Night Experience with Dinner and Stargazing: $75
- Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner (Star Safari): $82
- Tenerife Sky At Night: Sunset, Stargazing and Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Tenerife €27
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
Tours and Activities in Tenerife
For Tenerife, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chef Roberto Medda's Private BBQ Experience - At Your Doorstep!: $87
- Tenerife Animal Farm Private Car Tour. Canarian Cheese and Wine: $164
- "Boat Cruise & Photos: Your Photographic Adventure at Sea": $320
- "Pyramids of Güímar Admission PREMIUM Ticket": $20
- 1 Hour and Half Mojo Sauce Workshop With Winery Tour: $60
- 2 hours of Tour and Safari on a jet ski: $186
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkeling Experience in Tenerife: $42
- 3-Hour Guided PADI Scuba Diving Experience in Tenerife: $130
- 3-Hour Private Boat Tour in Tenerife with Tapas: $175
- 3-Hours Shared Tour to Accessible Boat en Canary Island: $66
- 3-hour Whale and Dolphin Watching and Listening Tour : $44
- 3H Private o Shared Tour to Accessible Boat en Canary Island: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Tenerife €6.43
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Tenerife
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tenerife:
- Wine tasting and Canarian products in La Orotava: $19
- Wine Tour & Taste surrounded by Anaga Forest: $25
- Half Day Southern Rural Tenerife Tour with Wine Tasting: $63
- Tour of the senses through the South of Tenerife with Wine Tasting: $64
- Wine Tasting Experience in Tenerife: $66
- Full-Day Gastronomy and Wine Tour: $81
- Taste of Tenerife Tour With Wine Tasting: $93
- Wine tasting with tapas, Teide at sunset (shared): $102
- Volcano Teide Buggy Tour with Wine Tasting & Tapas: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Tenerife, we can see that Tenerife 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 Tenerife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tenerife 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 Tenerife Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Funchal or Tenerife?
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 Tenerife in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Tenerife. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tenerife in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Tenerife. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Tenerife fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tenerife this time of the year. In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Tenerife during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Tenerife receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives more rain than Tenerife. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Tenerife 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Tenerife in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Tenerife. Additionally, most visitors come to Tenerife for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Funchal is around the same temperature as Tenerife in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Tenerife fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. In the autumn, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Tenerife. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tenerife receives 200 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal usually gets more rain in October than Tenerife. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Tenerife 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Tenerife in the Winter?
Both Tenerife and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tenerife because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Funchal is around the same temperature as Tenerife. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Tenerife averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Tenerife during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Tenerife receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. In January, Funchal usually receives more rain than Tenerife. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Tenerife 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Tenerife in the Spring?
Both Tenerife and Funchal during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tenerife this time of year.
In April, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Tenerife. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Tenerife fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Tenerife, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Tenerife. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tenerife receives 205 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in April than Tenerife. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Tenerife 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Tenerife and Funchal
| Funchal | Tenerife | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.