Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or San Sebastian? 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 San Sebastian?
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.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.
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Funchal Prices
Portugal PricesSan Sebastian Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €116San Sebastian €113
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €116, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €113. 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 San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52San Sebastian €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104San Sebastian €80
Compare Hotels in Funchal and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or San Sebastian? 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 San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94San Sebastian €13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival and departure transfers to Funchal and Airport: $18
- Transfer Privado e Confiável: Aeroporto → Funchal (ou vice-versa): $21
- Private Transfer Madeira Airport: $30
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Madeira: PR8 -Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve Transfer: $33
- Caniçal Transfer for PR8 Hike São Lourenco: $33
- Airport Transfers Funchal Airport: $35
- Transfer to Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hike (Morning slot): $36
- Self Guided Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve: $36
- Transfer to PR1 Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Trail: $38
- Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer: $39
- Transfer Sunrise Self-Guided Hike Pico do Arieiro : $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- San Sebastián: Transfer to Biarritz: $287
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $281
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $281
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Biarritz city: $192
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Biarritz: $192
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Biarritz Airport : $192
- Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $116
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to San Sebastian Airport: $97
- Private Transfer in San Sebastian: $87
- Transfer S. Sebastian to Bilbao or S. Sebastian Airports by Sedan: $65
- San Sebastian Private Arrival Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian 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 €54San Sebastian €55
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
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $118
- San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxo Tasting Paired with Spanish Wines: $131
- Best Street Food Tour of San Sebastian with a Local Guide: $133
- Basque cuisine cooking class: $155
- Basque Cooking Experience: Market Tour & Hands-On Class English: $155
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian Old Town: $166
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $173
- Dinner in a Gastronomic Club in San Sebastian: $191
- Eat Like a True Basque San Sebastian Authentic Culinary Food Tour: $197
- Local Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $233
- San Sebastián Food & History Tour: Dinner with a Local Twist: $256
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15San Sebastian €32
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- Pamplona City Tour from San Sebastian: $106
- " Basque Farm House & Cider house" tour + meal from San Sebastian: $111
- "A la Vasca" - Top Notch Gastro Cultural Experience: $208
- 2 h Privated Sail Sebastian Tour or Sunset: $281
- A Perfect Start to your SS visit! City/cultural Tour: $66
- BASQUE CRAFT BEER and FOOD - Private Gastronomic Adventure: $214
- Best Private Pintxos tour in San Sebastian : $173
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $94
- Bike Tour La Belle ëpoque. Romantic Area and beaches.: $48
- Bilbao City Tour from San Sebastian: $113
- Camino de Santiago trail. Private trekking tour along the coast: $298
- City tour, bike ride: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16San Sebastian €20
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 San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- San Sebastian Old Town Pintxos & Wine Tour Small Group Tour: $123
- San Sebastian Centro Neighborhood Pintxos & Wine Tour: $130
- San Sebastian Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour: $173
- Small Group Basque Food, Pintxos and Wine Tour in San Sebastian : $178
- Private Half Day Txakoli Wine Tour & Getaria Fishing Village: $209
- Open Food & Wine tours in San Sebastian: $214
- Marques de Riscal and Ysios Architecture Wine Tour w/Lunch, SS: $284
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $287
- Private Txakoli Wine Tour through the Coast from San Sebastian: $287
- Private Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour from San Sebastian: $299
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $299
When comparing the travel costs between Funchal and San Sebastian, we can see that Funchal is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or San Sebastian?
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Funchal. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and San Sebastian, 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 San Sebastian?
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 Funchal or San Sebastian in the Summer?
Both San Sebastian and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Funchal is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Funchal or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and San Sebastian. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Funchal is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Funchal in October average around 21°C (70°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Funchal or San Sebastian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as San Sebastian. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Funchal is generally much warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 16°C (61°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Funchal or San Sebastian in the Spring?
Both San Sebastian and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
Funchal is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Funchal usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Funchal usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Funchal
| Funchal | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.