Which place is cheaper, Oxford or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Oxford?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Oxford? 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 Oxford?
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.
Oxford
Oxford is a city in England best known as the home of the 12-century Oxford University, the oldest English-speaking university in the world. The city also features landmarks such as Christ Church, the Bodleian Library, and a number of world-class museums.
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 €115Oxford €153
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Oxford is €153. 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 Oxford in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Oxford €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Oxford €168
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Oxford
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Oxford? 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 Oxford Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Oxford €32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oxford
Also for Oxford, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- National Express | Between Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airports Bus Transfers: $34
- Fareham to Southampton Airport (SOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer from Gatwick city hotels to Dover Cruise Port: $55
- Oxford Private Departure Transfer - Oxford Hotel/Accommodation to Oxford Airport: $68
- Transfer in private Vehicle from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) - Central London: $96
- Private One Way or Round Trip Transfer: Kensington SW London to Gatwick Airport: $147
- Oxford City to London Heathrow Airport Private Transfer Service: $196
- Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: Stansted Airport to Central London: $224
- Gatwick Airport to Southampton Port or Hotel Private Airport Arrival Transfer: $230
- Southampton - London Transfer: via Bath and Windsor: $234
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Oxford?
Prices for flights to both Oxford 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 €42Oxford €48
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 €23Oxford €22
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
Tours and Activities in Oxford
For Oxford, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Carfax Tower Entry Ticket: $3.81
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
- Oxford Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Oxford's Literary Legends and Landmarks" A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Discover Oxford's Timeless Tales: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Oxford's Timeless Tales: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Explore Oxford's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour for Students: $11
- Oxford Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
- Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Oxford €24
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 Oxford
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oxford:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Cambridge: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Edinburgh: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Bristol: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
- Eccentric Oxford 3-Hour Pub Tour: $150
- Wine Tasting in the Garden of England: $221
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Oxford, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Oxford?
Oxford has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Oxford, 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 Oxford?
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 Oxford in the Summer?
Both Oxford and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is a little warmer than Oxford in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Oxford. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Oxford 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)Oxford 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Oxford in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Oxford. Also, most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Oxford averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Oxford. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oxford 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)Oxford 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Oxford in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Oxford. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Oxford can be very cold. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Oxford. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Oxford 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Oxford in the Spring?
Both Oxford and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.
Sintra is much warmer than Oxford in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Oxford. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oxford 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)Oxford 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Oxford and Sintra
| Sintra | Oxford | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°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) | 12°C (53°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°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 (40°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.