Which place is cheaper, Montpellier or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Montpellier?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Montpellier? 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 Montpellier?
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.
Montpellier
Montpellier is the 8th largest city of France, and also has been the fastest growing city in the country over the past 25 years. Graceful and easy-going, Montpellier is a stylish metropolis with elegant buildings, grand hotels, private mansions, stately boulevards and shady backstreets, and gorgeous white-sand beaches on its doorstep. Unlike many southern towns, Montpellier has no Roman heritage. Instead it was founded in the 10th century by the counts of Toulouse and later became a prosperous trading port as well as a scholarly center - Europe's first medical school was established here in the 12th century. The population swelled in the 1960s when many French settlers left independent Algeria and relocated here, and it's now France's fastest-growing city and one of its most multicultural areas. Students make up over a third of the population, giving it a spirited vibe.
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 France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Montpellier €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Montpellier is €118. 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 Montpellier in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Montpellier €69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Montpellier €138
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Montpellier
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Montpellier? 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 Montpellier Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Montpellier €26
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montpellier
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:
- Transfer Montpellier Airport and Beziers Airport: $49
- Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport Transfer: $64
- Montpellier Private Transfer from Montpellier city centre to Montpellier Airport: $74
- Private Transfer from Sète Cruise Port to Marseille city hotels: $131
- Transfer from Sète Port to Marseille Provence Airport MRS: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Montpellier?
Prices for flights to both Montpellier 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 €42Montpellier €31
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montpellier
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montpellier.
- Guided Food Tour With Local Snacks and Wine: $91
- Montpellier Food Tour: $93
- From Pic Saint-Loup Wine and Food Tour: $102
- Cooking workshop: $106
- Private cooking class with specialized chefs Montpellier: $108
- Fusion Food Cooking Class: $428
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Montpellier €12
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 Montpellier
Here are a few actual costs in Montpellier for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Legendary Montpellier, flexible legends and storytelling tour: $16
- CityTour and Photo Portraits Souvenirs in Montpellier: $38
- Half-Day Hiking Tour of Pic Saint Loup & Picnic: $64
- From Wine and Olive Tour: $75
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Olive Tour from Montpellier: $80
- From Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour: $80
- Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour: $86
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Oyster Tour from Montpellier: $95
- Winetour & food experience in Pic St Loup: $107
- Saint-Guilhem village and cave day tour : $142
- Photoshoot Experience: $159
- Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier: $161
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Montpellier €15
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 Montpellier
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montpellier:
- The Châteaux of Grès de Montpellier & Wine Tasting: $80
- Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour: $84
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier: $84
- Wine tour in Pic Saint-Loup area: $142
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
- Montpellier : half day wine tour in Camargue: $159
- Private Half-Day Languedoc Wine Tour from Sète: $240
- Sète: Private Half–Day Wine Tour: $353
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Montpellier, we can see that Montpellier 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 Montpellier Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Montpellier?
Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?
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 Montpellier in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Montpellier. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Montpellier 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Montpellier in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Montpellier. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°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 Montpellier. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montpellier. Sintra usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Montpellier 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Montpellier in the Winter?
Both Montpellier and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Montpellier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Montpellier averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Sintra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Montpellier 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Montpellier in the Spring?
Both Montpellier and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Montpellier. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Montpellier 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Montpellier and Sintra
| Sintra | Montpellier | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°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.