Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Salzburg €155
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is €155. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Salzburg €91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Salzburg €182
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Salzburg €19
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 Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Private Transfer between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg City: $55
- Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Salzburg : $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65
- Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 €42Salzburg €41
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 Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Salzburg €30
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 Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
- Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
- Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Salzburg €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 Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Salzburg?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
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 Salzburg in the Summer?
Both Salzburg and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Salzburg in the Autumn?
Both Salzburg and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Sintra is much warmer than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Salzburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Salzburg. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 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 Salzburg. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Salzburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Salzburg. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
In April, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°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 Salzburg. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Salzburg. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Sintra
| Sintra | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.