Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Chania?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chania or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Sintra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chania or Sintra?
Chania
Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. Chania is Crete's most evocative city, with its pretty Venetian quarter, crisscrossed by narrow lanes, culminating at a magnificent harbor. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences. On the other side, the Nautical Museum has model ships, naval objects and photographs. The former monastery of St. Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Remnants of Venetian and Turkish architecture abound, with old townhouses now transformed into atmospheric restaurants and boutique hotels. Although all this beauty means the old town is packed with tourists in summer, it's still a great place to unwind. The Venetian Harbor is super for a stroll and a coffee or cocktail. Plus it’s got a university and a modern area to the city, which means that it retains its charm in winter. Indie boutiques and an entire lane dedicated to leather products provide good shopping and, with a multitude of creative restaurants, you’ll likely have some of your best meals on Crete here.
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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChania €93Sintra €115
The average daily cost (per person) in Chania is €93, while the average daily cost in Sintra is €115. 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 Chania and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChania €46Sintra €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChania €92Sintra €114
Compare Hotels in Chania and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Chania 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: Chania Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chania €15Sintra €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chania:
- Crete Private Transfer to from Chania Port Airport Town: $19
- Private Transfer from Chania Airport (CHQ) to Chania Souda Port: $23
- Private Transfer from Chania Hotels to Chania Souda Cruise Port: $23
- Arrival Transfer Chania Airport to Chania, Rethimno or Heraklion: $25
- Cretan Folklore Night with Buffet and transfer: $31
- Bali: Shared Transfer from Chania/Heraklion Airport to Bali: $33
- Elafonisi Beach Day Trip with Elos Stop and Transfer: $34
- Falassarna Beach Sunset Trip with Transfer: $36
- Private Airport Transfer (CHQ) from/to Chania city: $48
- Transfer from Chania airport to Chania City Center up to 3 : $54
- From Shared Transfer from Chania Airport to Plakias: $64
- Transfer from Chania airport to Agia Marina up to 3 customers: $71
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 Chania or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Chania 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 dayChania €32Sintra €42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chania
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chania.
- The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
- CHANIA WALKING FOOD TOURS – 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR: $107
- CHANIA CRETE COOKING CLASSES – 3 HOURS: $107
- Chania Cooking Class-The Authentic: $118
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $123
- From The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages: $123
- Wine, Food, and Sunset Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $127
- From Agioi Theodoroi Catamaran Dinner Cruise: $127
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour: $128
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour - Chania: $131
- Horse riding,falasarna sunset,dinner in a tavern,drone video: $214
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.Chania €21Sintra €23
Tours and Activities in Chania
Here are a few actual costs in Chania for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- Chania's Turbulent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Discover Chania's Echoes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Archaeological Museum Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $11
- Full-Day Tour Gramvousa Balos Bay from Rethymno with French Guide: $19
- Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide: $19
- Shared Falassarna Beach Tour Visit from Rethymno: $25
- Skip the Line: Limnoupolis Water Admission Ticket: $27
- Full Day Guided Botanic Garden Tour in Spili, Preveli and Plakias: $27
- From Rethymno Areas: Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Guided Tour: $27
- Chania Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Thodorou & Lazareta: $29
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 dayChania €18Sintra €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Chania
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chania:
- Cretan wine tasting, hosted in French: $91
- Milia Mountain Tour w/Lunch Olive Oil/Wine Tastings: $144
- Wines, Olives, and History: A Private Wine Tour from Chania: $791
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Sintra, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Chania.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chania or Sintra?
Chania has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Sintra. Many visitors come to Chania in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Chania is a little warmer than Sintra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chania in July average around 26°C (80°F), and Sintra averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Sintra during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Sintra. Chania gets 1 mm (0 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 JulyChania 26°C (80°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Chania or Sintra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chania as well as Sintra. Most visitors come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Sintra. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 20°C (68°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. In the autumn, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun.
Chania usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sintra. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 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 OctoberChania 20°C (68°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Chania or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Chania because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Chania is around the same temperature as Sintra in the winter. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Sintra fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Chania usually receives less sunshine than Sintra during winter. Chania gets 118 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. It's quite rainy in Chania. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Sintra. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 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 JanuaryChania 12°C (54°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Chania or Sintra in the Spring?
Both Sintra and Chania during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Chania this time of year.
In the spring, Chania is around the same temperature as Sintra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chania in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Sintra averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chania. In the spring, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sintra. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun.
Chania usually gets less rain in April than Sintra. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 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 AprilChania 17°C (62°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Chania
| Chania | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 20°C (69°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.