Which place is cheaper, Saint Andrews or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Saint Andrews?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Saint Andrews? 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 Saint Andrews?
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.
Saint Andrews
Saint Andrews is a small town on the east coast of Scotland, facing the North Sea. It is best known as the home of golf and host to the oldest university in Scotland, University of Saint Andrews.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Saint Andrews €252
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Saint Andrews is €252. 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 Saint Andrews in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Saint Andrews €136
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Saint Andrews €272
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Saint Andrews
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Saint Andrews? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Saint Andrews €61
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Saint Andrews?
Prices for flights to both Saint Andrews 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 €42Saint Andrews €72
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Saint Andrews €53
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 Saint Andrews
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Andrews are as follows:
- Rebels, Romance & Raisins St. Andrew's Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour (11am & 2pm): $18
- St Andrews Golf Oriented Heritage Tours - Town and Old Course: $19
- St Andrews History Tours: $19
- St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer: $19
- St Andrews Walking Tours: $19
- St Andrews Ghost Tours: $20
- The Original St Andrews Photo Shoot Tour: $82
- Private St Andrews Dark Side Tour: $145
- Private St. Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Walking Tour: $146
- Private St. Andrews Tour with Dedicated Local Guide: $146
- Private St Andrews Town Tour for Future Students: $146
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Saint Andrews €31
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 Saint Andrews, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Saint Andrews?
Sintra has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews?
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 Saint Andrews in the Summer?
Both Saint Andrews and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is much warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Saint Andrews 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?
Both Saint Andrews and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 100 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Saint Andrews 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint Andrews in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Saint Andrews. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. Sintra is much warmer than Saint Andrews in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 58 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 Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Saint Andrews 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint Andrews in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Saint Andrews. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.
In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 7°C (45°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 Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 155 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Saint Andrews. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Saint Andrews 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Sintra
| Sintra | Saint Andrews | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 59 mm (2.3 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.