Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Lagos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lagos or Funchal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Funchal. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lagos or Funchal?
Lagos
A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.
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Lagos Prices
Portugal PricesFunchal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLagos €143Funchal €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Lagos is €143, while the average daily cost in Funchal is €116. 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 Lagos and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLagos €61Funchal €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLagos €122Funchal €104
Compare Hotels in Lagos and Funchal
Looking for a hotel in Lagos 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: Lagos Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lagos €31Funchal €9.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:
- Private Transfer from Lisbon to the Algarve or vice versa: $527
- Private Transfer: Seville to Algarve (Faro district): $470
- Private Transfer: Seville to Lagos: $470
- Private Door to Door Transfers from/to (Lisbon - Algarve): $429
- Private Transfer: Lagos to Seville: $399
- Private Transfer From Lagos to Portimao, English Speaking Driver: $293
- Private Transfer From Lagos to Lisbon, Local English Speaking Driver: $292
- Private Transfer from Praia da Luz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $226
- Private Transfer from Sagres to Faro (FAO) Airport: $216
- Private Transfer from Vila do Bispo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $216
- Private Transfer from Quinta Falzina to Faro (FAO) Airport: $216
- Private Transfer from Sao Sebastiao to Faro (FAO) Airport: $215
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
- Arrival and departure transfers to Funchal and Airport: $18
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lagos or Funchal?
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Lagos 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 dayLagos €59Funchal €54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lagos.
- Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $106
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class: $117
- Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class: Grandma’s Secrets & Recipes: $119
- Portuguese Cooking Class: Algarve’s Pork & Seafood Cataplana: $147
- Portuguese Cooking Class: Algarve’s Pork & Seafood Cataplana: $149
- Home-Style Portuguese Cooking Class in Portimao with Pedro: $154
- Market Tour and Cataplana Cooking Class: $176
- Market Tour & Cooking Class: Algarve’s Seafood Cataplana : $179
- Local Market Tour and Portuguese Seafood Cooking Class: $179
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: $33
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lagos €26Funchal €15
Tours and Activities in Lagos
Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Algarve Surf Experience: $94
- 2-hour Kayak Tour of Ponta da Piedade Caves and Beaches: $43
- Algarve Seven Hanging Valleys Benagil Triptour: $70
- Algarve: Catamaran Cruise with Paddleboarding & Snacks: $1,267
- Algarve: Lagos Sightseeing guided Tour with e-bikes: $76
- Algarve: Lagos sightseeing guided tour with E-bikes: $78
- Benagil Tour: $88
- Boat Cruise to Algar de Benagil from Lagos: $40
- Boat tour through the wonderful caves of Ponta da Piedade : $20
- Boomshaka Kayak Tour: $28
- Booze Cruise: $72
- Brodie's Historical and Fun Lagos Walking Tour: $18
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
- KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $29
- Funchal Walking Tour: Tradition, History and Flavor: $29
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $29
- Nun's Valley Tour: $32
- SUP Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling: $34
- Nun's Valley & Pico dos Barcelos Madeira Island Tour: $35
- Tour to Nun's Valley, Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado: $36
- Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $36
- Amazing East Tour : $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLagos €6.79Funchal €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:
- Guided Gin Distillery Tour With Tasting at Alma Luz: $23
- Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Lagos: $78
- Wine Tasting Off-Road Tour: $93
- Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $106
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Funchal, we can see that Lagos 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 Lagos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lagos or Funchal?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos 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 Lagos 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 Lagos or Funchal in the Summer?
Both Funchal and Lagos during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lagos this time of year.
In the summer, Lagos is a little warmer than Funchal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lagos in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Funchal averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Funchal. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 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 JulyLagos 25°C (77°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Funchal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Funchal. Many travelers come to Lagos for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lagos is generally a little warmer than Funchal. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 26°C (79°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Funchal. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 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 OctoberLagos 26°C (79°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Funchal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Funchal. Many visitors come to Lagos in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Lagos is much warmer than Funchal in the winter. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Funchal fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Funchal. Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Funchal. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 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 JanuaryLagos 27°C (81°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Funchal in the Spring?
Both Funchal and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lagos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Lagos is much warmer than Funchal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lagos in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Funchal averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite rainy in Lagos. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Funchal. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 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 AprilLagos 28°C (82°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Lagos
| Lagos | Funchal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 29°C (84°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 316 mm (12.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.