Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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.
Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Mont-Saint-Michel €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Mont-Saint-Michel is €156. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Mont-Saint-Michel €140
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Mont-Saint-Michel
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 €42Mont-Saint-Michel €44
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Mont-Saint-Michel €30
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 Mont-Saint-Michel
Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Audio Tour around Mont Saint-Michele island: $5.45
- Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
- Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
- Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
- Walking Tour in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: $16
- 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
- Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
- Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
- Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
- Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Mont-Saint-Michel €7.86
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 Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Sintra is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Sintra
| Sintra | Mont-Saint-Michel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.