Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Bucharest?
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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Funchal?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal.
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Bucharest Prices
Romania PricesFunchal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $194Funchal $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $194, while the average daily cost in Funchal is $136. 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 Bucharest and Funchal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $68Funchal $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $136Funchal $122
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Funchal
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $28Funchal $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest to Brasov - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $298
- Bucharest to Galati - Driver and Car - Private Guided Transfer : $298
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer - Car and Driver: $298
- Bucharest to Constanta or Mamaia Beach - Private Transfer - Car and Driver: $298
- Private Transfer from Bucarest (OTP) Airport to Brasov: $292
- Private transfer Bucharest to Constanta Mamaia or back: $286
- Private transfer Constanta to Bucharest or back: $286
- Private Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $286
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Constanta private transfer: $275
- Bucharest to Ramnicu Valcea - Private Guided Transfer with Driver and Car : $268
- Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov - Hotel Pick-up: $263
- Private Transfer: Bucharest to Bran Castle of Dracula: $262
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 Bucharest or Funchal?
Prices for flights to both Funchal and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $108Funchal $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $58
- Eat Like a Local: Food Tour in Bucharest Obor Market: $89
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $94
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $107
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $118
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $137
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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Coffee$1.64
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.Bucharest $16Funchal $18
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $273
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $137
- Bucharest at a glance - 4h Private Chauffered Tour : $89
- Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $154
- Walking Tour of Palace Parliament in Bucharest: $35
- Walking Tour- Delightful Bucharest (Highlights, Stories, Sights): $23
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $190
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $227
- 1 Day Guided Tour to Dracula’s Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov: $36
- 10 hours Private Apiary Tour in Romania - From Bucharest: $298
- 2 Days Private Tour of Transylvania from Bucharest to Sighisoara: $299
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $143
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 dayBucharest $9.92Funchal $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Bucharest Pub Crawl: $36
- Bar Crawling: $48
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $59
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $62
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $69
- Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar: $106
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $106
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Salt Mine Exploration and Wine Tasting : $113
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Salt Mine in Prahova and Wine Tasting: $113
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Wine Tasting and Salt Mine experience: $113
- Sip & Stroll: Wine Tasting and History Private Tour of Bucharest: $125
- Vineyards and wine tasting experience: $139
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 Bucharest and Funchal, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Funchal?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Funchal in the Summer?
Both Funchal and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
Bucharest is around the same temperature as Funchal in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Funchal fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Funchal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bucharest. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Funchal. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 227 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Funchal. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 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 JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Funchal 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Funchal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Funchal. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Bucharest is much colder than Funchal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Funchal averages at about 21°C (70°F).
Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 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, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Funchal. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 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 OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Funchal 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Funchal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Funchal. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Funchal. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Funchal fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Funchal. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Funchal receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Funchal. Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Funchal. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Funchal 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Funchal in the Spring?
Both Funchal and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.
Bucharest is cooler than Funchal in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Funchal fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Funchal during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Funchal receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Funchal. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 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 AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Funchal 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Funchal and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Funchal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.