Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Hydra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hydra or Funchal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hydra or Funchal? 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: Hydra or Funchal?
Hydra
The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHydra €97Funchal €93
The average daily cost (per person) in Hydra is €97, while the average daily cost in Funchal is €93. 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 Hydra and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHydra €51Funchal €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHydra €102Funchal €104
Compare Hotels in Hydra and Funchal
Looking for a hotel in Hydra or Funchal? 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.Hydra €26Funchal €9.94
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Hydra or Funchal?
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Hydra 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 dayHydra €30Funchal €31
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.Hydra €11Funchal €15
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHydra €11Funchal €16
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 Hydra and Funchal, we can see that Hydra 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 Hydra Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hydra or Funchal?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra and Funchal, 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 Hydra or Funchal?
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 Hydra or Funchal in the Summer?
Both Funchal and Hydra during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hydra is a little warmer than Funchal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hydra in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Funchal averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 227 hours of full sun.
Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Funchal. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHydra 27°C (81°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Funchal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Funchal. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.
In October, Hydra is generally around the same temperature as Funchal. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Funchal. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHydra 19°C (67°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Funchal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Funchal. Many travelers come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hydra is much colder than Funchal in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Funchal fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the winter, Hydra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. Hydra usually gets less rain in January than Funchal. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHydra 10°C (51°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Hydra or Funchal in the Spring?
Both Funchal and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hydra is around the same temperature as Funchal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Funchal averages at about 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Funchal. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHydra 16°C (60°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Hydra
| Hydra | Funchal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 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.