Which place is cheaper, Madeira Islands or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lisbon or Madeira Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands?
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.
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
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.
-
Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesMadeira Islands Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €167Madeira Islands €117
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Madeira Islands is €117. 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 Madeira Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €63Madeira Islands €52
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €126Madeira Islands €104
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Madeira Islands
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €25Madeira Islands €9.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
-
Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- sintra private luxury transfer to or from lisbon airport: $128
- Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima / Nazaré / Alcobaça..: $283
- Transfers and Tours safely and comfortably aboard a Tesla M3: $41
- Transfer to Sintra, Cascais, Estoril and Carcavelos from Lisbon: $129
- Transfer to Setubal (not Troia or Comporta) from Lisbon: $59
- Transfer to Lamego from Lisbon: $240
- Transfer to Figueira da Foz from Lisbon: $256
- Transfer to Fátima from Lisbon: $283
- Transfer to Ericeira from Lisbon: $116
- Transfer to Elvas from Lisbon: $292
- Transfer to Comporta / Troia from Lisbon: $206
- Transfer service to Lisbon: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Madeira Islands?
Prices for flights to both Madeira Islands 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLisbon €73Madeira Islands €55
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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:
- Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
- Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Lisbon Pizza & Sangria Escape on a Cozy Boat Cruise: $35
- Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $41
- Lisbon Night Party Cruise with DJ, Pizza & Drinks: $47
- Lisbon Flavors and Traditions Small Group Food Tour: $55
- Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $65
- Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour with 17 Tastings, Wines and Sips: $66
- Lisbon Portuguese Food Tour: $66
- Old Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour: 17 Tastings, Wines & Sips: $71
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Madeira Islands €15
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Évora Day Trip from Private Tour with Chapel of Bones: $266
- Évora Historical Private Tour: $153
- Évora with Wine Experience: Beyond the Tejo River: $280
- Óbidos (Medieval Town) Half Day Private Tour from Lisbon: $212
- Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $170
- Óbidos Christmas Charm -A Festive Walking Private Tour: $249
- Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.29
- Óbidos Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $9.98
- Óbidos and Fatima Tour: $153
- Óbidos historic village and Mafra Palace Private Tour: $135
- "Help the Marquis of Pombal save the king!" Self-Guided Walk Tour: $59
- 1 Hour Scenic Tuk Tuk Tour through Chiado and Bairro Alto + Ebook: $188
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Madeira Islands €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $24
- Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $24
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $28
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl: $29
- Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $53
- Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $53
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Food Pairing: $76
- From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $76
- Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $76
- Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Madeira Islands, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Madeira Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madeira Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madeira Islands 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 Madeira Islands.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Madeira Islands Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Lisbon or Madeira Islands?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Madeira Islands. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Madeira Islands, 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.
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.