Which place is cheaper, Galway or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Galway?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Galway? 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 Galway?
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.
Galway
Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Galway €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Galway is €131. 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 Galway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Galway €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Galway €140
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Galway
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Galway? 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 Galway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Galway €33
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galway
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:
- Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
- Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90
- Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
- Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
- Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561
- One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
- Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Galway?
Prices for flights to both Galway 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 €42Galway €33
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
Typical Food Prices in Galway
Some typical examples of dining costs in Galway are as follows:
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Fish & Chips Dinner€8.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Galway.
- Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
- Galway Food Tour: $107
- Galway Food Tours: $109
- Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
- Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Galway €12
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 Galway
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Galway are as follows:
- Cong The Quiet Man Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket: $8.17
- Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- City Centre App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Galway's City Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Welcome to Galway Walking Tour: $16
- Burren Botany Experience: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- The Legendary Walking Tour of Galway: $17
- City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Galway City: Guided 1.5-Hour Walking Tour: $21
- Dark History Guided City Walking Tour: $21
- Evening Guided Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Galway €15
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 Galway
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:
- Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Galway, we can see that Galway 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 Galway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Galway?
Galway has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Galway, 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 Galway?
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 Galway in the Summer?
Both Galway and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Sintra is a little warmer than Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Galway 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 Galway during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Galway. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Galway 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Galway in the Autumn?
Both Galway and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Galway averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Galway. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.
Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Galway 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Galway in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Galway. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year.
In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Galway during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.
Galway 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 Galway. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Galway 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Galway in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Galway. Additionally, many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city.
Sintra is much warmer than Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Galway 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 Galway. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Galway. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Galway 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Galway and Sintra
| Sintra | Galway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 125 mm (4.9 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.