Which place is cheaper, Porto or Funchal?
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 Funchal or Porto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Porto? 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: Funchal or Porto?
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.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon.
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Funchal Prices
Portugal PricesPorto Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €116Porto €160
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in Porto is €160. 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 Funchal and Porto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Porto €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Porto €144
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Porto
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Porto? 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: Funchal Hotel Prices and Porto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Porto €21
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
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Madeira Island - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
- Madeira Airport (FNC) to Madeira - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
- Private Transfer from Madeira North area resorts to Madeira Funchal airport: $90
- Madeira Airport (FNC) to Funchal Cruise Port - Round Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport to Funchal Hotels: $75
- Private Transfer from Funchal airport to Madeira south area: $73
- Madeira Airport Transfers Round Trip (FNC): $70
- Funchal Airport (FNC) to Funchal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- Minibus Transfer: Madeira Airport - Funchal: $52
- Funchal Airport Transfers: Experience Hassle-Free Travel: $45
- Madeira: PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer between Porto and Algarve with 1 stop: $558
- Private Transfer to Lisbon from Tarouca: $293
- Private Transfer to Porto from Tarouca: $135
- Funchal to Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools Day Transfer: $70
- Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $64
- Madeira: Porto da Cruz to Machico Hiking Tour with Transfer: $39
- Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $30
- Porto Airport Transfer: $24
- Madeira: Vereda do Larano Trail One-Way Transfer Service: $23
- Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Valenca Do Minho Station: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Porto?
Prices for flights to both Porto and Funchal 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 dayFunchal €54Porto €63
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: $33
- Madeiran Traditional Dinner: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Porto Food & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Porto €25
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
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 3 Hour Tuk tuk Tour in Porto: $215
- 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $52
- Aveiro and Costa Nova Half Day Tour from Porto with Boat Ride: $55
- Braga & Guimarães Small Group Tour: Lunch & All Tickets Included: $167
- Breathtaking Nature in Gerês Park - Private tour from Porto: $130
- Daytime Sailing Adventure near Lagos and Luz!: $167
- Douro Sunset Sailboat Experience in Porto: $70
- Douro Valley : 2 wineries, Tastings, Lunch & Scenic River Cruise: $161
- Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch: $113
- Douro Valley and Régua Panoramic Cruise with Lunch from Porto: $92
- Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise: $106
- Douro: luxury & private tour with picnic lunch at Quinta da Roêda: $293
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Porto €19
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- Luxury Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting & Snacks: $54
- Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings | 12 Participants Maximum: $60
- Port Wine Lodges Tour Including 7 Port Wine Tastings (English): $62
- Authentic Food and Wine Tour in Porto by Food Lover Tour: $81
- Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto : $96
- Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch: $113
- Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise: $118
- Douro Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Winery and Lunch From Porto: $131
- Authentic Small Group Douro Wine Tour with Lunch & River Cruise: $131
- Small Group Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise: $149
- Douro Valley Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Lunch and Boat: $150
- Douro Valley Tour - 3 Wine tastings, Lunch & river Cruise: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Funchal Expensive? and Is Porto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Porto?
Porto has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Porto, 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 Funchal or Porto?
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 Funchal or Porto in the Summer?
Both Porto and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Porto. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 22°C (72°F), and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Funchal usually receives less rain than Porto. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Porto 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Autumn?
Both Porto and Funchal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Funchal is a little warmer than Porto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Funchal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.
Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Funchal. Funchal usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Porto 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Porto. Furthermore, most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Funchal is much warmer than Porto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Funchal in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Porto averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than Porto during winter. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Funchal usually receives less rain than Porto. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Porto 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Porto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Porto. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Funchal is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 17°C (63°F), and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. In the spring, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Porto. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Porto. Funchal usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Porto 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Porto and Funchal
| Funchal | Porto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.