A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Hamburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Hamburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is €117. 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 Hamburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Hamburg 54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Hamburg 108
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Hamburg

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Hamburg? 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Hamburg


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 Hamburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Hamburg 29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:


  • Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
    1.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:

  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $38
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Hamburg Cruise Port: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $41
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hamburg Airport HAM Departure : $41
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg City Hotels: $51
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg City Hotels to Hamburg Cruise Port: $51
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Hotels to Bremerhaven Cruise Port: $65
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport XFW to Hamburg City: $76
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport XFW: $76
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port: $78
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg City to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $78
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Hamburg?

Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Hamburg 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

Typical Food Prices in Hamburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:


  • Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
    15
  • Currywurst and Pommes Frites
    5.00
  • Donner Kebab and Coke
    6.00
  • Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
    15
  • Donner Kebab Lunch
    4.00
  • Sandwich and Coffee Break
    6.00
  • Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
    3.50
  • Coffee and Donut
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.

  • St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
  • Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
  • Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
  • St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Hamburg 39

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg

Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Tower at St. Michael's Church
    3.50

Tours and Activities in Hamburg

Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Speicherstadt and HafenCity": $3.20
  • Selfguided Audiotour "Old Town and City Center": $3.20
  • Deutsche Hafen & St.Pauli Bezahl-Was-ihr-wollt Tour zu Fuß: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Harbor&St. Pauli Pay-What-You-Want 2-Hour Walking Tour: $3.21
  • English Hamburg City Center Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • German Hamburg Historic City Center Pay-What-You-Want Tour: $3.21
  • English Harbor&St.Pauli Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Local Tour of Hamburg Historic Centre: $3.26
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour in St. Pauli: $4.60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Hamburg 17

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 Hamburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:

  • Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
  • Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
  • Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
  • Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg 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 Hamburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Hamburg. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hamburg this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Hamburg 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Hamburg. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Sintra is much warmer than Hamburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Hamburg. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Hamburg 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Hamburg in the Winter?

Both Hamburg and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Hamburg averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Hamburg 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

In April, Sintra is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Hamburg. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Hamburg 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Sintra

Sintra Hamburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (60°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)