Which place is cheaper, Windsor or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sintra or Windsor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Windsor? 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 Windsor?
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.
Windsor
Windsor is a small town in Berkshire, England most famous for Windsor Castle, which is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The town rests along the River Thames, across which lies Windsor's twin town of Eton, known for Eton College. Together, the two make up a quaint tourist destination that is largely pedestrianized, making for a walkable, car-free holiday.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €115Windsor €175
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in Windsor is €175. 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 Windsor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Windsor €82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Windsor €164
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Windsor
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Windsor? 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 Windsor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Windsor €77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:
- Algarve vs Lisbon: Private Transfer to/from Algarve /Lisbon: $513
- Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $27
- Lisbon Airport Transfer to Cascais / Sintra / Estoril: $51
- Lisbon Airport: Cascais/Estoril/Sintra Private Transfer: $57
- Lisbon transfer, national and Iberian trips: $86
- Private Guided Transfer in Sintra and Lisbon: $87
- Private Transfer Lisbon & Cascais by Van or Car: $73
- Private transfer from Sintra to Porto with 2 hours for sightseeing: $289
- TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Tours and Transfers: $89
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $98
- Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Windsor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Windsor:
- "Private Transfer: From London Heathrow Airport to Windsor": $56
- London: Transfer to Southampton with Windsor Castle Visit: $161
- Windsor Castle Ticket & Private Transfer: $319
- London: Windsor Castle Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $562
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Windsor?
Prices for flights to both Windsor 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 €42Windsor €46
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 Windsor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Windsor:
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Morning Tea€2.92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Windsor €31
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 Windsor
Here are a few actual costs in Windsor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1,000 Years of Royal History from Windsor to Eton: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Daily Walking Tour with Local Guide (11am & 2pm): $17
- Windsor Daily Town Walking Tour: 11am & 2pm: $18
- Windsor : Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz Tour App: $19
- Golden Tours Open Top Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $24
- Windsor Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
- Windsor Duck Tour: Bus and Boat Ride: $34
- Windsor Quest: Self Guided Sightseeing & Immersive Treasure Hunt: $37
- Windsor and Thames Valley Bike Tour: $38
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort: Entrance Ticket: $44
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort 2 Day Admission Ticket: $66
- Windsor Castle Afternoon Tour from London: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Windsor €8.82
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 Windsor, we can see that Windsor 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 Windsor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Windsor 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 Windsor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Windsor?
Windsor has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Windsor, 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 Windsor?
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 Windsor in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Windsor. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Windsor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Windsor averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Windsor during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Windsor receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Windsor. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Windsor 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Windsor in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Windsor. Also, many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Windsor. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Windsor fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sintra this time of the year. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Windsor. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Windsor receives 107 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Windsor. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Windsor 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Windsor in the Winter?
Both Windsor and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
Windsor can get quite cold in the winter. Sintra is much warmer than Windsor in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Windsor fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Windsor during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Windsor receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Windsor. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Windsor 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Windsor in the Spring?
Both Windsor and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Windsor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Windsor averages at about 9°C (48°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Windsor. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Windsor receives 147 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Windsor. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Windsor 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Windsor and Sintra
| Sintra | Windsor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.