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

Should you visit Sintra or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Rouen? 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 Rouen?

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.

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Rouen 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 Rouen is €109. 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 Rouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Rouen 52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Rouen 104
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Rouen

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Rouen? 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 Rouen


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 Rouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Rouen 34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra: $53
  • Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
  • Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
  • Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
  • Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
  • Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
  • Tours and Transfers: $89
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rouen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rouen:

  • Round-Trip Private Transfer Rouen Airport URO to Rouen by Minivan: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Rouen?

Prices for flights to both Rouen 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
    Rouen 35

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
    Rouen 18

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 Rouen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:

  • Rouen audio guided tour: $13
  • Audio guided tour : Rouen retold - Joan of Arc retold: $16
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $26
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $26
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 1-hour must-sees: $27
  • Treetop adventure course in the heart of Rouen: $31
  • The OFFICIAL Rouen Tour : The 2-hours must-sees: $48
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $50
  • Welcome to Private Walking Tour with a Local: $51
  • Private Custom Walking Guided Tour in Rouen: $51
  • Rouen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Discover Rouen with a licenced tour guide: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Rouen 7.86

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 Rouen, we can see that Sintra 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 Rouen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Rouen?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Rouen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Rouen. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Rouen 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Rouen. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Sintra or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Rouen. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Sintra is much warmer than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sintra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Rouen. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Rouen 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Rouen. Additionally, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Rouen 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Rouen and Sintra

Sintra Rouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)