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

Should you visit Sintra or Le Mans?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Le Mans? 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 Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a city in France, on the Sarthe River. Le Mans is found about 80 kilometers north of Tours, and south of Alencon. To many of course, Le Mans is famous only for a 24 hour racing event once a year. If you are not interested in cars and car racing, it is best to avoid visiting Le Mans in the middle of June. However, Le Mans also has a fantastic old town and is well worth the visit. Known as the Cite Plantagenet, this is where in 1129 Geoffrey Plantagenet married Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England and gave birth to Henry II.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Le Mans 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 Le Mans is €83. 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 Le Mans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Le Mans 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Le Mans 74
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Le Mans

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Le Mans? 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 Le Mans


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 Le Mans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Le Mans 30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Le Mans?

Prices for flights to both Le Mans 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
    Le Mans 27

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Le Mans 15

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Le Mans 12

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Le Mans, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Le Mans.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Le Mans Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sintra or Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Le Mans. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Sintra is a little warmer than Le Mans in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Le Mans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Le Mans. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Le Mans 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Le Mans averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Le Mans 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Le Mans can be very cold during winter. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Le Mans. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Le Mans 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Le Mans. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town charm.

Sintra is much warmer than Le Mans in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Le Mans 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Sintra

Sintra Le Mans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 16°C (61°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 75 mm (3 in)