A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Funchal for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab or Funchal?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Funchal can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Dahab or Funchal?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Funchal or Dahab?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $26, 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 Dahab and Funchal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $9.31
    Funchal $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $19
    Funchal $122
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Funchal

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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.

Hotels in Dahab


Hotels in Funchal


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Funchal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $3.10
    Funchal $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
  • Saint paul and saint anthony monastery​ private transfer: $69
  • Private Transfer To/From Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer Between Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $60
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
  • Private Transfer Dahab Hotel to Sharm ElSheikh Airport : $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal

Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hike (Morning slot): $36
  • Transfer to Caldeirão Verde Levada Self-Guided Hike Queimadas: $39
  • Transfer Sunrise Self-Guided Hike Pico do Arieiro : $39
  • Transfer Rabacal 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided: $40
  • Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $21
  • Self Guided Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve: $36
  • Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $90
  • Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $73
  • Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $75
  • Private Transfer Madeira Airport: $30
  • Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $52
  • Madeira: PR8 -Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve Transfer: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Funchal?

Prices for flights to both Funchal and Dahab 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 day
    Dahab $13
    Funchal $64
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $2.00
  • Juice
    $0.11
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $95

Typical Food Prices in Funchal

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $6.56
    Funchal $18

Tours and Activities in Dahab

For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Camel Trek Desert and Beach Experience Private Tour in Dahab: $140
  • 2 Day Hiking Canyoning Tour Colored and Wishwashi in Sinai: $72
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $43
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
  • Astronomy and Bedouin Culture group Tour in sharm with Pickup: $140
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Adventure in Dahab: $195
  • Cairo pyramids tour from Hurghada Small group HurghadaToGo: $60
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $49
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $60
  • Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41

Tours and Activities in Funchal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.

  • Low Cost Wheelchair Santana Half Day Tour : $179
  • Wheelchair Full Day Tour Porto Moniz E Sao Vicente : $208
  • Wheelchair Porto Moniz Handicap Tour: $179
  • 25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6): $55
  • 4x4 Full-Day Tour to Explore Portugal's Scents and Flavors: $69
  • 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz - the "Farowest" tour - Full Day Small Groups : $77
  • 8-Hour Luxury Cruise from Funchal to Ponta de São Lourenço: $2,173
  • Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo in Madeira (PR1.2) - Hiking Tour: $55
  • Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira : $173
  • Agriculture Green Tour : $102
  • Amazing East Tour : $36
  • Amazing Sunset (Private tour): $262

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.89
    Funchal $18

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 Dahab and Funchal, we can see that Funchal is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Funchal is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Funchal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Funchal than you might in Dahab.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Funchal Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Funchal?

Funchal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.