A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paris vs. Sintra-Cascais National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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

Should I visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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: Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

Sintra-Cascais National Park

The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is located on the west coast of Portugal and is often called the place where "the land ends and the sea begins". The UNESCO listed park is famous for being home to Cabo da Roca, a seaside cliff that is actually the westernmost part of Europe. Sintra-Cascais is interesting due to their large diversity in landscape which includes sand dunes, lakes, forests, and ocean cliffs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Portugal, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra-Cascais National Park or Paris?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €232, while the average daily cost in Sintra-Cascais National Park is €142. 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 Paris and Sintra-Cascais National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paris 151
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paris 302
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 126
Compare Hotels in Paris and Sintra-Cascais National Park

Looking for a hotel in Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park? 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 Paris


Hotels in Sintra-Cascais National Park


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: Paris Hotel Prices and Sintra-Cascais National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paris 21
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $3.26
  • Transfer from/to PARIS<=>NORMANDY (DEAUVILLE, MONT ST MICHEL): $3.27
  • Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports <=> DISNEYLAND: $3.27
  • Paris Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $8.74
  • Private Transfer from Disneyland Paris to Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports: $11
  • Private transfer from Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport to Disneyland: $11
  • Private One-Way Transfer: City of Paris: $11
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Private Departure Transfer: $13
  • Paris Airport (CDG): Hotel Transfer from Paris or Roissy: $13
  • Paris Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $14
  • Private transfer: Orly Airport to Paris: $15
  • Paris Private Transfer Disneyland: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

Prices for flights to both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Paris 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
    Paris 41
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 41
Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • Cheese
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

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

  • 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $44
  • No Diet Club - A selection of the best pizzas in Paris !: $45
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $56
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $58
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $67
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Paris : No Diet Club Food Tour - Best Spots in Le Marais: $68
  • Dinner with Customized Wine Selection: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paris 77
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Free Walking Tour of Montmartre: $2.14
  • Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.21
  • Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
  • Self Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.35
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
  • Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.35
  • Private Self-guided Audio Tour of the Eiffel Tower: $5.45
  • Self-Guided Tour - Père Lachaise Cemetery Audioguide, Paris: $5.45
  • Self Guided Latin Quarter Audio Tour in Paris: $5.45
  • Private Self Guided Walking Tour in Montmartre Paris: $5.46
  • Kid-Friendly Marais: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paris 24
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Paris Pub Crawl : $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Latin Quarter Pub Crawl Bars and Clubs: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in English: $32
  • Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $33
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Sintra-Cascais National Park, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Sintra-Cascais National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra-Cascais National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra-Cascais National Park 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris than you might in Sintra-Cascais National Park.

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



When is the best time to visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park?

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 Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Summer?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

Paris is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Sintra-Cascais National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paris. In the summer, Paris often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 352 hours of full sun.

Paris usually gets more rain in July than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Paris 20°C (68°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many travelers come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Paris is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paris in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra-Cascais National Park this time of the year. Paris usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during autumn. Paris gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Paris 13°C (56°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Sintra-Cascais National Park. Many visitors come to Paris in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Paris can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Paris is generally much colder than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 5°C (40°F), and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Paris often gets less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris usually gets less rain in January than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Paris 5°C (40°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Paris or Sintra-Cascais National Park in the Spring?

Both Sintra-Cascais National Park and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Paris is cooler than Sintra-Cascais National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Sintra-Cascais National Park fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris usually receives less sunshine than Sintra-Cascais National Park during spring. Paris gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Sintra-Cascais National Park. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sintra-Cascais National Park receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Paris 11°C (52°F) 
    Sintra-Cascais National Park 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra-Cascais National Park and Paris

Paris Sintra-Cascais National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)