Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lisbon 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.
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, 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 Lisbon and Funchal in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Lisbon 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.
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Funchal, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Funchal. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Funchal. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Funchal this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Funchal during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Funchal. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Funchal. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
Lisbon is around the same temperature as Funchal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Funchal fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 183 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. Lisbon usually gets less rain in October than Funchal. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Funchal and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Lisbon is cooler than Funchal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Funchal averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Funchal. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Funchal and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Funchal. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 182 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than Funchal. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Funchal receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lisbon | Funchal | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |