Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon or Funchal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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.
Where Should I go: Lisbon or Funchal?
Lisbon
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
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal.
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Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesFunchal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €167Funchal €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, 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 Lisbon and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €63Funchal €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €126Funchal €104
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Funchal
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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €25Funchal €9.94
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Algarve To Lisbon By 8 Seats Minibus: $658
- Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $640
- Private Car Transfer from Lisbon to Braga with 2 hours for sightseeing: $300
- Private Luxury Transfer Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon: $293
- Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon: $293
- Lisbon to Porto Private Transfer – Direct, 2 or 3 Scenic Stops: $293
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to/from Porto: $292
- Private Transfer To or From Leiria: $290
- Horse Riding on the Beach with private transfer from Lisbon: $283
- Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima / Nazaré / Alcobaça..: $281
- Private Transfer To or From Tomar: $272
- Transfer to Fátima from Lisbon: $269
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Picos da Madeira - Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo: $59
- Transfer to Explore Vereda do Larano - Self Guided Hike: $49
- Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $20
- Self Guided Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve: $37
- Ribeira Brava on Sundays with Sandro Vicente (With Transfer): $56
- Rabaçal 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco Transfer: $47
- Private airport transfer to Funchal 8 people more return: $105
- Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $89
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $39
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $71
- Private Transfer from Funchal Airport to Madeira Island: $92
- Private Transfer Madeira Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Funchal?
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLisbon €73Funchal €54
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Portuguese Wine & Pizza Cruise with Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Lisbon Premium Cozy Boat with Pizza & Open Bar: $35
- Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $41
- Lisbon Night Party Cruise with DJ, Pizza & Drinks: $47
- Taste Lisbon Like a Local: The Ultimate Full-Meal Food Tour: $57
- Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $64
- Castle Skip-the-Line & Old Town (add-on Fado Dinner): $69
- Lisbon Flavors and Traditions Small Group Food Tour: $69
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: $29
- Madeira Sunset by 4x4 with Dinner from Funchal: $66
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Funchal €15
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Évora & Monsaraz: Alentejo Traditions Private Tour from Lisbon: $281
- Évora - Full day Private Guided tour from Lisbon by minivan: $255
- Évora Day Trip from Private Tour with Chapel of Bones: $265
- Évora Historical Private Tour: $152
- Évora Tour: $176
- Évora and Alentejo Private Wine & Cork Tour From Lisbon: $233
- Évora and Megalithic Circuit 10H Private Tour From Lisbon/Cascais: $239
- Évora and Monsaraz Full Day Private Tour: $283
- Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $170
- Óbidos Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Óbidos and Fatima Tour: $152
- Óbidos, Peniche and Buddha Eden Full Day Private Tour from Lisbon: $269
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- 25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6): $56
- All Madeira In 2 Days Tour: $70
- Amazing East Tour: $41
- Amazing West - Jeep Safari Tour - Full Day - Shared Tour: $76
- Arieiro Peak and Cristo Rei 4x4 Experience + Dolphins Watching: $104
- Arieiro Peak, Santana & Ponta São Lourenço in Open Roof 4X4 Tour: $78
- Around The Island - Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day): $70
- Around the island - Two days tour: $88
- Cabriolet Private Sightseeing Tour in Camara De Lobos Cabo Girao: $164
- Canyoning Madeira Private/Small group tour: $94
- Christmas lights full day tour: $82
- City Sightseeing Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Funchal €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $22
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
- Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
- Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- Portuguese Wine Tasting Experience in Lisbon: $44
- Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $76
- From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $76
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Food Pairing: $76
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $64
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $64
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $64
- Madeira Tuk-Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting and Honey Cake: $76
- Madeira 4WD Half-Day Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $88
- Signature Wine Tastings, Skywalk, Nature 4x4 Open Roof Expedition: $104
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $105
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $105
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $228
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?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Funchal?
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.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon or Funchal?
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 Lisbon or Funchal in the Summer?
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Funchal in the Autumn?
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Funchal in the Winter?
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Funchal in the Spring?
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Lisbon
| 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) |
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.