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

Should you visit Sintra or Reims?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Reims? 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 Reims?

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.

Reims

Reims lies 129 km (80 mi) east-northeast of Paris. It was founded by the Gauls and became a major city during the Roman Empire. Reims played a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France. The city's economy is based largely on wine production, for which the Champagne region is famous, and a visit to Reims often includes a popular tasting of the most famous French wines at the 'Maison de Champagne'. Reims has many attractive pedestrian boulevards, Roman remains, art-deco cafes and a flourishing fine-dining scene that counts among it four Michelin-starred restaurants. Of course Reims also has all the shops and other facilities that you would expect in a major city.

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, Reims 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 Reims is €131. 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 Reims in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Reims 66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Reims 132
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Reims

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Reims? 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 Reims


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 Reims Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Reims 39

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 Reims

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Reims:

  • Private Transfer From Reims To Paris, 2 Hour Stop in Epernay: $227
  • From Transfer and Drive Through the Champagne Region: $856

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Reims?

Prices for flights to both Reims 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
    Reims 40

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Reims 19

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 Reims

Here are a few actual costs in Reims for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Reims Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
  • Guided Tour of Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims: $9.62
  • Reims UNESCO site: Basilica of Saint-Remi Guided Tour: $9.62
  • Reims Art Deco guided tour: $9.62
  • Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame Guided Tour: $9.83
  • Reims : city-center discovery tour and champagne tasting: $16
  • Discovery tour (2 tastings): $20
  • Entrance ticket to Pressoria in the heart of Champagne with Tasting: $20
  • Champagne Guy De Chassey: Traditional Tour & Tasting: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Reims 22

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 comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Reims, we can see that Reims 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 Reims Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Reims?

Reims has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Reims, 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 Reims?

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 Reims in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Reims. Also, many visitors come to Reims in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Reims. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Reims fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Reims this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Reims during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 235 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Reims. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Reims receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Reims 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Reims in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Reims. Also, most visitors come to Reims for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sintra is much warmer than Reims in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Reims fluctuates around 12°C (53°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 Reims. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 122 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Reims. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reims receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Reims 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Reims in the Winter?

Both Reims and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reims because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Reims can be very cold. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Reims. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Reims averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Reims during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Reims. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Reims receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Reims 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Reims in the Spring?

Both Reims and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reims this time of year.

In April, Sintra is generally much warmer than Reims. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Reims fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Reims. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 172 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Reims. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reims receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Reims 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Reims and Sintra

Sintra Reims
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (44°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)