Which place is cheaper, Madeira Islands or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Sintra vs. Madeira Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands?
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.
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Madeira Islands €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Madeira Islands is €95. 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 Madeira Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Madeira Islands €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Madeira Islands €104
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Madeira Islands
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Madeira Islands €9.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $64
- Transfer from Lisbon - Tavira / Altura / Monte Gordo: $565
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $72
- Transfer Lisbon - Vilamoura / Quarteira / Loulé: $421
- Transfer Lisbon - Lagos / Luz: $521
- Transfer Lisbon - Albufeira / Armação de Pêra: $410
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $111
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $100
- Transfer Airport Lisboa - Cascais ( round trip): $133
- Tours and Transfers: $90
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $83
- Luxury Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Prices for flights to both Madeira Islands 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 €42Madeira Islands €33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sintra.
- Half-Day Ericeira Walking Food Tour: $55
- Portuguese Traditional Cuisine: DINNER OR TAPAS : $94
- Portuguese Cooking Workshop in Cascais (group of 4 min): $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Madeira Islands €15
Tours and Activities in Sintra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sintra are as follows:
- Discover Sintra, Cascais. Happy days with lots of adventure.: $332
- E-Bike Rental Self Guide Tour in Sintra and Cabo da Roca : $65
- Sintra & Cascais in one day Renault 4L Tour (Full day): $142
- 1 Hour Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour by Renault 4L : $35
- 1 Hour Private Tuk-Tuk Tour in Sintra: $39
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Sintra with Tuktuk : $44
- 19th Century Photography Experience: $33
- 1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons: $121
- 2 Hour Private Picnic and Photoshoot Experience in Lisbon area: $166
- 2 Hours Sintra Experience Renault 4L Tour : $71
- 3 Audio E-Tickets to Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira Tours: $39
- 3 Hour Sintra Village and Beaches Tuktuk Tour: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Madeira Islands €16
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: $61
- Wine Tasting Tour: $78
- Colares wine tasting with Sintra and cabo da roca Half day: $83
- Wine Tour to Setúbal: Wines, Mountains and Beaches, full day: $127
- Porto, city tour and Port wine tasting on a private tour: $238
- Ericeira & Mafra’s Wonders - Rural Beach & Wine Tour : $255
- Sail boat trip at Setubal Bay with stop for Wine tasting ( Green Trip): $277
- Quinta da Regaleira and wine tasting in Sintra * All Inclusive: $643
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Madeira Islands, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Madeira Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madeira Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madeira Islands 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 Madeira Islands.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Madeira Islands?
Madeira Islands is bigger, and its population is about 9.1 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the population of Sintra vs. Madeira Islands, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Sintra
Related Articles for Madeira Islands
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.
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