Which place is cheaper, Bonn or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Bonn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Bonn? 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: Sintra or Bonn?
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.
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Bonn €154
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Bonn is €154. 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 Sintra and Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Bonn €85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Bonn €170
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Bonn
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Bonn? 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 and Bonn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Bonn €23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn and Sintra 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 daySintra €42Bonn €49
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.Sintra €23Bonn €34
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
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Free Walking Tour Bonn - City Center: $3.21
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $11
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Bonn €23
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 Sintra and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Sintra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Bonn?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Bonn, 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 Sintra or Bonn?
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 Sintra or Bonn in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Bonn. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Bonn. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Bonn 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bonn in the Autumn?
Both Bonn and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Bonn. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Bonn 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bonn in the Winter?
Both Bonn and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Bonn. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Bonn 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bonn in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Bonn.
Sintra is much warmer than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Bonn. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Bonn 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Bonn and Sintra
| Sintra | Bonn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.