Which place is cheaper, Pecs or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Pecs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Pecs? 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 Pecs?
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.
Pecs
Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Hungary, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Pecs €75
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Pecs is €75. 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 Pecs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Pecs €35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Pecs €70
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Pecs
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Pecs? 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 Pecs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Pecs €16
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 Pecs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:
- Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Pecs?
Prices for flights to both Pecs 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 €42Pecs €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 Pecs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:
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Dinner for Two€23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Pecs €16
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 Pecs
Here are a few actual costs in Pecs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Pecs €7.78
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 Pecs, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Pecs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pecs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pecs 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Pecs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sintra Expensive? and Is Pecs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Pecs?
Pecs has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Pecs, 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 Pecs?
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 Pecs in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Pecs.
In July, Sintra is generally around the same temperature as Pecs. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pecs this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pecs during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Pecs. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Pecs 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pecs in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Pecs.
Sintra is a little warmer than Pecs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Pecs fluctuates around 13°C (56°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 Pecs. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 169 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Pecs. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Pecs 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pecs in the Winter?
Both Pecs and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Pecs. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Pecs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Pecs averages at about 0°C (32°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Pecs during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Pecs. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Pecs 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Pecs in the Spring?
Both Pecs and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Pecs. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 187 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Pecs. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Pecs 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pecs and Sintra
| Sintra | Pecs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.