Which place is cheaper, Utrecht or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Utrecht?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht?
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.
Utrecht
Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Utrecht €189
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Utrecht is €189. 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 Utrecht in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Utrecht €106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Utrecht €212
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Utrecht
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Utrecht €23
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 Utrecht
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15
- Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
- Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Utrecht?
Prices for flights to both Utrecht 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 €42Utrecht €58
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.
- City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
- Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $70
- Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $71
- Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $71
- Guided Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Utrecht €44
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 Utrecht
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:
- Hoge Woerd Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $4.28
- Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Highlights walking Tour in Utrecht with Audio and GPS Guide: $6.06
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket: $7.49
- Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.36
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
- Lofen Palace Time Travel with Entry Ticket & Guide: $12
- Guided Highlights Walking Tour: $13
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
- Dom Tower Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Utrecht €24
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:
- Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Utrecht, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Utrecht?
Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Utrecht, 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 Utrecht?
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 Utrecht in the Summer?
Both Utrecht and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.
Sintra is a little warmer than Utrecht in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Utrecht fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Utrecht during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 194 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Utrecht 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Utrecht in the Autumn?
Both Utrecht and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Utrecht for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than Utrecht. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Utrecht averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Utrecht. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 100 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Utrecht. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Utrecht 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Utrecht in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Utrecht. Also, many visitors come to Utrecht in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Utrecht can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than Utrecht. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and Utrecht fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Utrecht during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 38 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 Utrecht. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Utrecht 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)Utrecht 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Utrecht in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Utrecht. Also, most visitors come to Utrecht for the natural beauty during these months.
Sintra is much warmer than Utrecht in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Utrecht fluctuates around 8°C (46°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 Utrecht. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 156 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Utrecht. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Utrecht 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Utrecht and Sintra
| Sintra | Utrecht | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 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.