Which place is cheaper, London or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or London?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or London? 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115London €221
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in London is €221. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57London €144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114London €288
Compare Hotels in Sintra and London
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21London €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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride€17
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Heathrow Express€21
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Luggage Storage€9.35
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London Map€1.51
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Oyster Card€42
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)€25
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Oyster Card€32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $7.50
- Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $8.50
- Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $8.50
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Central London: $13
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $15
- Heathrow Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $15
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $17
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $17
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $17
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
- Luton Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $17
- National Express | Luton Airport to Central London Transfers: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 €42London €40
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 London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks€15
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Tea€7.01
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason€46
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Morning Tea€7.42
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Pastry€5.84
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Sushi Dinner for One€21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Food Tour - Self Guided: $6.47
- Dinner and Live DJ at A Fancy Restaurant: $16
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Tea and Doughnuts: Borough Market Walking Food Tour: $44
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $52
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $66
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $66
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $67
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $87
- Ultimate London Food Tour: Borough Market & Southwark: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23London €38
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert€97
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London Symphony Orchestra€40
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London Pass€55
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Comedy Show€9.35
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
- London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.27
- Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.74
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.44
- Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
- Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
- Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
- Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54
- London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
- Photographing Dynamic Soho: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55
- Southbank Photography Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55
- Bustling Bloomsbury: A Self-Guided Street Photography Tour: $5.55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17London €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 London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Shoreditch Bar Crawl of Five Venues with Drink Deals: $22
- Central London Pub Crawl: $23
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $23
- Camden Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Sintra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sintra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sintra 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Sintra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and London, 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 London?
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 London in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as London. Additionally, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than London. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than London. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sintra or London in the Autumn?
Both London and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sintra is much warmer than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than London. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or London in the Winter?
Both London and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
London can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than London. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than London. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sintra or London in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and London. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than London. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Sintra
| Sintra | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.