Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Carcassonne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Carcassonne? 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 Carcassonne?
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.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Carcassonne €106
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is €106. 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 Carcassonne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Carcassonne €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Carcassonne €122
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Carcassonne
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Carcassonne? 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 Carcassonne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Carcassonne €7.14
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 Sintra or Carcassonne?
Prices for flights to both Carcassonne 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 €42Carcassonne €39
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 €23Carcassonne €14
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 Carcassonne
For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
- Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
- Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
- Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
- Languedoc: Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Baronarques: $21
- Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders: $22
- Unusual Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Carcassonne: $22
- Small group tour of the Cité de Carcassonne: $49
- Complete Private Tour City and Castle of Carcassonne: $109
- Cité de Private Guided Tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Carcassonne €13
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 Carcassonne
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:
- Wine tour Cathar country: $471
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Carcassonne, we can see that Sintra 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 Carcassonne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Carcassonne?
Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?
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 Carcassonne in the Summer?
Both Carcassonne and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Carcassonne 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Carcassonne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Carcassonne. Also, the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.
In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Carcassonne 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Carcassonne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Carcassonne. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.
In January, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Carcassonne 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Carcassonne in the Spring?
Both Carcassonne and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Sintra is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Carcassonne 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Sintra
| Sintra | Carcassonne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 54 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.