Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Reykjavik €228
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €228. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Reykjavik €129
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Reykjavik €258
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Reykjavik €42
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 Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Keflavik Airport & Reykjavik Hotels: Economy Bus Transfer: $27
- Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $27
- Iceland: Airport Transfer Between Reykjavík Center and Keflavík : $28
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $28
- Keflavík Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $29
- Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $29
- Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $30
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $36
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
- Airport Express Shared Departure Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 €42Reykjavik €28
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 Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)€165
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Icelandic Food Tour: $123
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $125
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $127
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $144
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour: $145
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Reykjavik €67
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 Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum€9.97
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Wine and Spa€27
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.02
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Explore Reykjavik's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
- Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $17
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
- Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Reykjavik €26
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 Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer€8.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
Both Reykjavik and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Sintra is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Reykjavik. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Reykjavik in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Reykjavik. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.
Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Reykjavik in the Spring?
Both Reykjavik and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. Sintra is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Sintra
| Sintra | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.