Which place is cheaper, Cork or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Cork?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Cork? 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 Cork?
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.
Cork
Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Cork €101
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Cork is €101. 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 Cork in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Cork €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Cork €120
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Cork
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Cork? 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 Cork Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Cork €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Cork?
Prices for flights to both Cork 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 €42Cork €30
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 Cork
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.
- Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
- Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
- Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Cork €9.29
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 Cork
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:
- Highlights of A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discover Cork's Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens Admission Ticket: $13
- City Gaol Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
- Cork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Guided Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Cork Instagram Photography Walking Tour: $22
- Tour guidé de Cork City centre en français: $24
- Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
- Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour : $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Cork €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 Cork
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:
- Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
- Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
- Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
- Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
- Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
- Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
- Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
- Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Cork, 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 Cork Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Cork?
Cork has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Cork, 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 Cork?
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 Cork in the Summer?
Both Cork and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Sintra is a little warmer than Cork in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Cork during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Cork. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Cork 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Cork in the Autumn?
Both Cork and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Cork. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Cork averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Cork. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Cork 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Cork in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Cork. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year.
In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Cork. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Cork during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.
Cork receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cork. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Cork 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Cork in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Cork. Additionally, many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city.
Sintra is much warmer than Cork in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Cork. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Cork. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Cork 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Cork and Sintra
| Sintra | Cork | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 101 mm (4 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.