Local guide · Updated monthly
Cheapest ticket: €101 (via Lisbon, TAP). Direct from €341 (Edelweiss). Two ways to fly — here's the full breakdown.
Direct time
4h
Via Lisbon
6h 20min
Cheapest via LIS
€101
Cheapest direct
€341
Direct Edelweiss is the fastest option. Via Lisbon with TAP saves up to 70% and adds only 2 hours.
Best value
TAP Air Portugal, 1 stop, ~6h 20min. One ticket, bags through-checked.
€101
Cheapest found · usually €176–271
Fastest
Edelweiss Air (SWISS group), non-stop ZRH–FNC. 4h.
€341
Cheapest found · usually €341–500
Watch out for self-transfer tickets
Google Flights sometimes offers €109 deals via Reus (REU) and Shannon (SNN). These are two separate tickets with 27-hour layover — risky, no rebooking if delayed. Use them only if you know what you're doing.
Real Google Flights data, Zurich → Funchal one-way, sampled September 2026. All prices via Lisbon unless noted.
22 – 29 Nov 2026
7 nights · +19°C, mixed
€101
24 – 31 Feb 2027
7 nights · +18°C, mixed
€101
28 – 35 Feb 2027
7 nights · +18°C, mixed
€101
5 – 12 Feb 2027
7 nights · +18°C, mixed
€108
8 – 15 Jan 2027
7 nights · +17°C, some rain
€124
15 – 22 Jan 2027
7 nights · +17°C, some rain
€124
22 – 29 Jan 2027
7 nights · +17°C, some rain
€124
7 – 14 Jun 2027
7 nights · +22°C, sunny
€132
20 – 27 Jun 2027
7 nights · +23°C, sunny
€132
19 – 26 Jun 2027
7 nights · +23°C, sunny
€150
Real one-way Zurich → Funchal prices. "From" = cheapest found (via Lisbon). "Direct" = Edelweiss non-stop. Sampled September 2026.
| Month | Via LIS | Direct | Tourists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026 | €176 | €341 | Low |
| Nov 2026 | €101 | €341 | Low |
| Dec 2026 | €163 | €341 (Xmas €454) | Medium |
| Jan 2027 | €124 | €341 | Low |
| Feb 2027 | €101 | €341 | Low |
| Mar 2027 | €163 | €341 | Medium |
| Apr 2027 | €176 | €341 | Medium |
| May 2027 | €176 | €341 | High |
| Jun 2027 | €132 | €341 | High |
| Jul 2027 | €150 | €341 | High |
| Aug 2027 | €150 | €341 | Peak |
Warning: Christmas
Avoid 20–25 December 2026. Prices jump to €216–454. Fly on 29–31 December instead, or book for January from €124.
Our research shows one strong rule: buy 6+ months ahead and you fly cheap any month. Wait until the last two weeks and prices triple.
Same flight. Same airline. Same seat class. Only the booking window changed.
If time matters: direct Edelweiss (4h), from €341. If price matters: via Lisbon with TAP, from €101. The €240 saved per person is significant.
February and November — from €101 via Lisbon. Avoid Christmas (Dec 20, up to €454) and summer (from €150).
6+ months ahead. Prices triple in the final two weeks before departure. A €101 ticket in February can cost €350+ if booked last-minute.
Edelweiss Air (SWISS group) flies ZRH–FNC non-stop. TAP Air Portugal operates the best-priced option via Lisbon.
Taxi to central Funchal: ~€25, 20 min. Uber works. Public Aerobus: €5, 40 min.
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