Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Sintra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sintra? 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: Saint Petersburg or Sintra?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
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 Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Sintra $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, 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 Saint Petersburg and Sintra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Sintra $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Sintra $122
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Sintra
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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: Sintra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Sintra $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
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 Saint Petersburg or Sintra?
Prices for flights to both Sintra and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Sintra $45
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
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.Saint Petersburg $18Sintra $25
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Sintra $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 Saint Petersburg and Sintra, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Sintra?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Sintra?
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 Saint Petersburg or Sintra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Sintra.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 352 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Sintra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sintra in the Autumn?
Both Sintra and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Sintra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Sintra during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Sintra 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sintra in the Winter?
Both Sintra and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Sintra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Sintra averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sintra receives 144 hours of full sun.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Sintra 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sintra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Sintra.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Sintra during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Sintra receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Sintra. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Sintra 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Sintra and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Sintra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.