Which place is cheaper, Munich or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Munich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Munich? 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 Munich?
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.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Munich €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Munich is €148. 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 Munich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Munich €89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Munich €178
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Munich
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Munich? 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 Munich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Munich €19
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass€5.20
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City transport day ticket€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
- Airport Transfer by Bus: $12
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $14
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Arrival Transfer from Munich Train Station to Munich by Sedan: $60
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $65
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Arrival Transfer: $71
- Transfer in private vehicle from Munich City - Munich Airport (MUC): $74
- Transfer in private vehicle from Munich Airport (MUC)- Munich City: $74
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Car: $74
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Arber Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Private Departure Transfer from Munich to Munich Airport by Sedan: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Munich?
Prices for flights to both Munich 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 €42Munich €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
Typical Food Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
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Bratwurst€5.00
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Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)€1.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $46
- Private Salzburg History & Food Tour with Munich train add-on: $55
- Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $79
- 6 gears dinner show menu: $99
- Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour - all tastings included: $136
- Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour: $141
- Private Full Day Bavarian Beer and Food Tour in Munich: $209
- Private - Viktualienmarkt Food Tour and Beyond - best Munich tastings: $229
- Munich Food Tour & Food Market with German Delicacies: $265
- Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner : $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Munich €29
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Schack Gallery Entrance€4.00
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Munich Zoo Entrance€9.00
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Pub Crawl Munich Tour€14
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Neuschwanstein Castle (2)€24
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Selfguided Audiotour "Munich Old Town": $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Victuals Market Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.74
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Guided tour through the Sudeten German Museum: $5.35
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.35
- From Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $5.35
- Munich through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-guided Walking Tour to River Isar Landmarks: $6.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
- Interactive City Tour on Your Smartphone: $7.48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Munich €37
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
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Hofbrauhaus€12
Sample the Local Flavors in Munich
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Munich:
- Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $28
- Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $31
- English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $37
- Max & Moritz: Interactive Wine Tasting Experience: $37
- Cheese & Wine tasting: $95
- The ORIGINAL Munich Christmas Market Festive Wine Tour -with food: $141
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $288
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $294
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Munich, we can see that Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Munich?
Munich has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Munich, 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 Munich?
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 Munich in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Munich. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Munich during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Munich. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Munich 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Munich in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Munich. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Sintra is much warmer than Munich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 Munich. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Munich 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Munich in the Winter?
Both Munich and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Munich can be very cold. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Munich averages at about -1°C (31°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Munich. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Munich -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Munich in the Spring?
Both Munich and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Munich. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Munich 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Munich and Sintra
| Sintra | Munich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.