A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sintra vs. York for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sintra or York?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sintra or York? 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 York?

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.

York

York, in North Yorkshire, England, is a city rich in history that dates back to before Roman times. It is an ancient cathedral city that still has some impressive historical buildings that make it easily worth a visit. It has some of the best preserved buildings and structures in all of Europe, so if you're a history buff, then this is the place to be. It is usually tied with Manchester as the second most visited city in England, after London.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, York or Sintra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €115, while the average daily cost in York is €124. 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 York in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    York 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    York 138
Compare Hotels in Sintra and York

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or York? 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.

Hotels in Sintra


Hotels in York


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 York Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    York 14

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 York

Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:

  • Private Transfer from Hambleton to Manchester Airport (MAN): $163
  • Private Transfer from Hull to Manchester Airport (MAN): $271
  • Private Transfer from York to Manchester Airport (MAN): $279

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or York?

Prices for flights to both York 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sintra 42
    York 38

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 York

Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:


  • Dinner
    26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in York

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in York.

  • Breakfast Food Tour in York: $51
  • Party Cruise with Welcome Drink, Dinner, and DJ Music: $56
  • York on a Fork Food Tour: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    York 13

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 York

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:

  • York Guide - Everybody Hates a Tourist: $6.35
  • Tower Tour: $7.63
  • Romans, Vikings and Medieval Marvels in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Discover York's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour of the City Walls: $11
  • York Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $11
  • Private York Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • York Cocoa Works Guided Tour and Tasting: $12
  • Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
  • Original Harry Potter Locations Tour - York: $13
  • York Bird of Prey Centre Entry Ticket: $14
  • City Chronicles Historical Walking Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    York 15

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 York

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:


  • A Couple Beers
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in York

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:

  • Hooting Owl Distillery York - Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting: $32
  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
  • The Full Hoot Distillery Tour & Guided Hooting Owl Experience: $57


When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and York, we can see that York 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 York Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or York?

York has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and York, 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 York?

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 York in the Summer?

Both York and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to York this time of year.

Sintra is a little warmer than York in the summer. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and York fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than York during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than York. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while York receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    York 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Sintra or York in the Autumn?

Both York and Sintra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to York for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sintra is much warmer than York. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sintra in October average around 19°C (66°F), and York averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the autumn, Sintra often gets more sunshine than York. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 112 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in October than York. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    York 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sintra or York in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and York. Also, many visitors come to York in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

York can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sintra is generally much warmer than York. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 12°C (53°F), and York fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than York during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 61 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 York. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while York receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    York 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Sintra or York in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sintra as well as York.

Sintra is much warmer than York in the spring. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and York 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 York. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 151 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than York. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    York 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for York and Sintra

Sintra York
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 14°C (57°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)