Which place is cheaper, Ghent or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Ghent?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Ghent? 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 Ghent?
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.
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Ghent €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Ghent 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 Ghent in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Ghent €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Ghent €144
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Ghent
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Ghent? 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 Ghent Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Ghent €19
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 Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Business Car: $147
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Luxury Van: $166
- Ghent <-> Amsterdam Shuttle Transfer (1 to 8 Seats): $229
- Ostend <-> Luxembourg transfer (1 to 8 places): $233
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Ghent?
Prices for flights to both Ghent 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 €42Ghent €35
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 Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
- Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Ghent €8.64
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 Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.26
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent: $3.26
- Ghent city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.35
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Ghent: $5.45
- Hidden A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Ghent Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.08
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $8.02
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour: $11
- 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Ghent €18
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 Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- Ghent Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local: $245
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Ghent, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Ghent?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Ghent, 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 Ghent?
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 Ghent in the Summer?
Both Ghent and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is a little warmer than Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Ghent. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Ghent. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Ghent 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Ghent in the Autumn?
Both Ghent and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ghent. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Ghent 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Ghent in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Ghent. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Ghent. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Ghent 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Ghent in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Ghent. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty.
Sintra is much warmer than Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°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 Ghent. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Ghent. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Ghent 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Ghent and Sintra
| Sintra | Ghent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.