Which place is cheaper, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc? 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
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.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (usually shortened to Chamonix) is a resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. At the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps, it's renowned for its skiing. Year-round, cable cars take visitors up to several nearby peaks with panoramic views, including Aiguille du Midi above town, and Pointe Helbronner, across vast glacier fields on the Italian border. Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is known as the "gateway to the European Cascades." With the sheer white heights of the Mont Blanc ridge as its sensational backdrop, the Chamonix Valley shows the Alps at their most dramatic. First discovered as a tourist destination by Brits William Windham and Richard Pococke in 1741, it has become a wintertime playground of epic proportions, more than satisfying the most demanding skiers as well as those who pack themselves into its boot-stomping bars. In summer, lift-accessible highland trails offer thrilling panoramas to hikers, mountain bikers and other high-altitude thrill seekers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €235
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is €235. 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €180
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc? 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €40
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Also for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chamonix to Turin Caselle Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Courmayeur to Turin Caselle Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Chamonix (FR) to Geneva Airport (GVA)- Departure Private Transfer: $131
- Courmayeur to Milan Malpensa Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Chamonix-Morzine-Avoriaz to Geneva Airport GVA-Departure Transfer: $147
- Courmayeur, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $153
- Courmayeur Ski Club to Linate Airport (LIN) - Departure Transfer: $162
- Private Departure Transfer from Chamonix to Milan Airport: $170
- Private Transfer Chamonix and Morzine to Milan Malpensa Airport: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
Prices for flights to both Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 €42Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €48
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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Food Tour in Chamonix: $444
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €80
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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- On an adventure with Rosalie - Nancy-sur-Cluses: $5.45
- Monte Bianco Skyway Experience : $144
- Fly in Paragliding! Paragliding experience over Chamonix!: $171
- Live an eBike Mountain Bike Experience in the Heart of Chamonix Mont-Blanc: $195
- Bespoke Private Chamonix Experience: $196
- Altitude experience above Chamonix by eBike: $298
- Chamonix: Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
- From Geneva: Chamonix Mont-Blanc Private Guided Tour: $416
- Geneva: Private Chamonix Mont Blanc Day Tour: $538
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Chamonix-Mont-Blanc €9.64
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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Also in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tour with private driver - 10 hours: $823
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, we can see that Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, 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.
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.