Which place is cheaper, Bordeaux or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Bordeaux?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Bordeaux? 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 Bordeaux?
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.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Bordeaux €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Bordeaux is €118. 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 Bordeaux in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Bordeaux €63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Bordeaux €126
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Bordeaux
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Bordeaux? 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 Bordeaux Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Bordeaux €15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux Airport to City of Bordeaux: $87
- Transfer Airport, Hotel, Station and others places: $96
- Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Car: $97
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $108
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $115
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $147
- Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City: $165
- Airport to Lège-Cap-Ferret Transfer in Business Sedan: $273
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Bordeaux?
Prices for flights to both Bordeaux 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 €42Bordeaux €45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $63
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $63
- NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $64
- 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
- Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $84
- Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
- Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $95
- Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $95
- Food Tour in Bordeaux : $97
- Bordeaux Food Tour - Bakeries, Pastries, Chocolate and more!: $98
- Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Bordeaux €7.89
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Discover Enchanted A Fairy-Tale Free Tour: $1.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $3.74
- Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Pena Palace In-app Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $7.44
- Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Monserrate Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket: $13
- Sintra Sightseeing Train Tour: $13
- National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket: $14
- National Sintra Palace Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $16
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Sintra: $16
- Castle of the Moors E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide: $18
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
- Free Walking City Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Bordeaux Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- City Highlights & Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Tour: $6.95
- City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The best of Find more than wine on this self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Centre of Explore 2,000 years of history on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Bordeaux Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Guided Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Bordeaux €26
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
- Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
- Wine Tasting Cruise: $22
- Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
- Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $29
- Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
- Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
- Wine Country Vineyards Tour w/ Local Wine Tastings: $59
- Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip: $62
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Bordeaux, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Bordeaux Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Bordeaux?
Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sintra or Bordeaux in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Bordeaux. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bordeaux this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Bordeaux 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bordeaux in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Bordeaux. Additionally, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Bordeaux 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bordeaux in the Winter?
Both Bordeaux and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sintra is much warmer than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Bordeaux 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Bordeaux in the Spring?
Both Bordeaux and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Bordeaux. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in April than Bordeaux. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Bordeaux 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Sintra
| Sintra | Bordeaux | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 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.