Which place is cheaper, Saint-Etienne or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Saint-Etienne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Saint-Etienne? 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-Etienne?
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-Etienne
Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Saint-Etienne €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Saint-Etienne is €108. 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-Etienne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Saint-Etienne €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Saint-Etienne €92
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Saint-Etienne
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Saint-Etienne? 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-Etienne €44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Tuk Tuk Transfer With Sintra Pena Ticket From Meeting Point: $73
- Transfer Sintra to Lisbon Airport: $71
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Saint-Etienne?
Prices for flights to both Saint-Etienne 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-Etienne €34
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-Etienne €25
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Saint-Etienne €10
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 Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Saint-Etienne?
Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Saint-Etienne, 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-Etienne?
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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?
Both Saint-Etienne and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.
In October, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?
Both Saint-Etienne and Sintra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. Sintra is much warmer than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Saint-Etienne. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sintra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Sintra
| Sintra | Saint-Etienne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (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) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 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.