A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Madeira Islands vs. Porto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Madeira Islands or Porto?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madeira Islands and Porto 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: Madeira Islands or Porto?

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.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Porto or Madeira Islands?

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 Madeira Islands is €49,816, 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 Madeira Islands and Porto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Madeira Islands 23,804
    Porto 72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Madeira Islands
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    46
    Porto 144
Compare Hotels in Madeira Islands and Porto

Looking for a hotel in Madeira Islands 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.

Hotels in Madeira Islands


Hotels in Porto


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: Madeira Islands Hotel Prices and Porto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Madeira Islands 4,784
    Porto 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $30
  • Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $64
  • Private transfer between Porto and Algarve with 1 stop: $558
  • Private Transfer to Porto from Tarouca: $135
  • Private Transfer to Lisbon from Tarouca: $293
  • Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Valenca Do Minho Station: $12
  • Porto Airport Transfer: $24
  • Madeira: Vereda do Larano Trail One-Way Transfer Service: $23
  • Madeira: Porto da Cruz to Machico Hiking Tour with Transfer: $39
  • Funchal to Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools Day Transfer: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Madeira Islands or Porto?

Prices for flights to both Porto and Madeira Islands 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
    Madeira Islands 16,907
    Porto 63

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Madeira Islands 13,949
    Porto 25

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Madeira Islands 3,505
    Porto 19

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 Madeira Islands and Porto, we can see that Madeira Islands is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto 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 Madeira Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madeira Islands than you might in Porto.

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


Which has a larger population, Madeira Islands or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Madeira Islands. When comparing the sizes of Madeira Islands 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.