A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. Paris for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or Paris?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or Paris? 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 Paris?

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.

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Paris or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Paris is €232. 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 Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Paris 151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Paris 302
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Paris

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Paris? 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in Paris


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 Paris Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Paris 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
  • Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $3.26
  • Transfer from/to PARIS<=>NORMANDY (DEAUVILLE, MONT ST MICHEL): $3.27
  • Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports <=> DISNEYLAND: $3.27
  • Paris Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $8.74
  • Private Transfer from Disneyland Paris to Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports: $11
  • Private transfer from Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport to Disneyland: $11
  • Private One-Way Transfer: City of Paris: $11
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Private Departure Transfer: $13
  • Paris Airport (CDG): Hotel Transfer from Paris or Roissy: $13
  • Paris Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $14
  • Private transfer: Orly Airport to Paris: $15
  • Paris Private Transfer Disneyland: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    Paris 41

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 Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • Cheese
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $44
  • No Diet Club - A selection of the best pizzas in Paris !: $45
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $56
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $58
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $67
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Paris : No Diet Club Food Tour - Best Spots in Le Marais: $68
  • Dinner with Customized Wine Selection: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Paris 77

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Free Walking Tour of Montmartre: $2.14
  • Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.21
  • Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
  • Self Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.35
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
  • Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.35
  • Private Self-guided Audio Tour of the Eiffel Tower: $5.45
  • Self-Guided Tour - Père Lachaise Cemetery Audioguide, Paris: $5.45
  • Self Guided Latin Quarter Audio Tour in Paris: $5.45
  • Private Self Guided Walking Tour in Montmartre Paris: $5.46
  • Kid-Friendly Marais: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Paris 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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Paris Pub Crawl : $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Latin Quarter Pub Crawl Bars and Clubs: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in English: $32
  • Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $33
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Paris, we can see that Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Paris, 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 Paris?

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 Paris in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Paris. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

Sintra is a little warmer than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paris. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Paris. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Paris 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Paris in the Autumn?

Both Paris and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sintra is a little warmer than Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Paris. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Paris 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Paris in the Winter?

Both Paris and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Paris in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Paris can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Paris. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Paris. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Paris 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Paris in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Paris. Furthermore, most visitors come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Sintra is a little warmer than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Paris during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Paris. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Paris 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Paris and Sintra

Sintra Paris
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)