Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Salzburg? 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: Coimbra or Salzburg?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Salzburg €155
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is €155. 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 Coimbra and Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Salzburg €91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Salzburg €182
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Salzburg? 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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Salzburg €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $156
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Salzburg to Vienna, Private Transfer, 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver, English: $293
- Salzburg Train Station Arrival Transfer: $109
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Car: $108
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $90
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
- Salzburg Airport SZG to Kitzbühel Arrival Private Transfer: $147
- Salzburg Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Arrival Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg and Coimbra 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 dayCoimbra €48Salzburg €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $105
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Salzburg €30
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.20
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.20
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.43
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.59
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.68
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
- Convent of Christ Tour "Portugal in the Map" - Visit Tomar with a local guide!: $30
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- 2-Hour Private Salzburg City Highlights Tour: $272
- 3 hour private walking tour - Salzburg: $176
- 3D Exclusive VR-Tour: $320
- 3D Unique VR-Tour: $29
- A day in the life of Salzburg - Private tour with a local: $229
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- Amphibious Splash Tour on the Water and on the Land in Salzburg: $45
- Austrian Lakes and Salzburg Private Tour from Vienna: $1,119
- Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with Amphibious Splash Tour: $93
- Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with River Cruise: $71
- Best of Salzburg 1-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour: $163
- Charming Sankt Gilgen Family Discovery Walking Tour: $162
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Salzburg €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
- Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $174
- Full-Day Private Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour from Coimbra: $178
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Salzburg?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Salzburg, 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 Coimbra or Salzburg?
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 Coimbra or Salzburg in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Salzburg. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Salzburg in the Autumn?
Both Salzburg and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Coimbra is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Salzburg in the Winter?
Both Salzburg and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Coimbra is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Salzburg in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Salzburg. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.