A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Sintra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab or Sintra?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Sintra 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: Dahab or Sintra?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Dahab?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $13, 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 Dahab and Sintra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $6.09
    Sintra $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $12
    Sintra $122
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Sintra

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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.

Hotels in Dahab


Hotels in Sintra


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $1.92
    Sintra $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Dahab Private Transfer To/From Sharm el sheikh ( One Way Transfer ): $30
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38
  • Private Transfer from Hotel in Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh Airport: $55
  • Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) Transfer: $71
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $109
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 12: $220
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Sintra?

Prices for flights to both Sintra and Dahab 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
    Dahab $4.82
    Sintra $45
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $2.00
  • Juice
    $0.11
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $30
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $40
  • Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $4.60
    Sintra $25

Tours and Activities in Dahab

For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Saint Catherine's Monastery Half Day Tour From Dahab: $24
  • From Three Pools Guided Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $28
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $30
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $38
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $39
  • Three Pools snorkeling and Quad Bike full-day tour in Dahab: $40
  • Full Day Climbing and Hiking Tour in Canyon with Pickup: $40
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $45
  • Seascope Submarine Tour from Dahab: $45

Tours and Activities in Sintra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:

  • E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $64
  • Half Day Private Wine and Traditional Tile Making Tour: $157
  • 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $119
  • 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $149
  • 2 Hours Romantic experience for two by sailboat in Cascais: $297
  • 2 hours Private Sailing Experience in Cascais: $297
  • 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $125
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $171
  • 4 hour Private MTB Enduro Trail Tour in Sintra Mountain: $153
  • 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $153
  • Amazing Sintra tour: $91
  • Cascais Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $260

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $2.63
    Sintra $19

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 Dahab and Sintra, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Sintra is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.

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


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Sintra?

Sintra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.