Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Sintra. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Sintra?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
Sintra
Located just 28 kilometers from Lisbon, Sintra is a town that was, for a long time, home to Portuguese royalty leading up to the 1910 revolution. In town you will find a Royal Palace and in the surrounding area there is a Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, which dates back to the 19th century. The town is on the Estoril Coast near the Sintra Mountains, making its setting very dramatic, beautiful and picturesque. The surrounding hills are actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because they offer a great combination of both cultural importance and natural beauty.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $137Sintra $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $137, while the average daily cost in Sintra is $124. 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 Bucharest and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Sintra $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Sintra $122
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Sintra? 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Sintra $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.63
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $21
- Airport Transfer: $21
- Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $58Sintra $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $53
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $98
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $141
- Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest: $182
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $202
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Private Portuguese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Lisbon Local: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Sintra $25
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Reyes y Palacios Bucarest: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $13
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $17
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $19
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Virtual Reality Experience: $21
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $21
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
- National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
- Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.17Sintra $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $49
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
Sample the Local Flavors in Sintra
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sintra:
- Half-Day Tour in Cascais / Sintra with Brunch and Wine Tasting: $60
- Hiking and Wine Tasting Experience: $71
- Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $82
- Wine Tasting Tour: $82
- Private tour wine tasting in Setubal: $96
- Excursion from Lisbon to Setúbal: Nature, Beach and Wine Tasting: $125
- Private Tour Sétubal, Palmela, Arrábida with wine tasting: $175
- Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
- From Lisbon Private Tour to Porto with Port Wine Tasting: $235
When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Sintra, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Sintra?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Sintra, 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 Bucharest or Sintra?
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 Bucharest or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Sintra. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In July, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Sintra during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Sintra. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sintra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Sintra. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Bucharest is much colder than Sintra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Sintra. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Sintra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Sintra averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Sintra during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Sintra. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Sintra in the Spring?
Both Sintra and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Bucharest is generally cooler than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Sintra. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.