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

Should you visit Kos or Sintra?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Sintra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Kos or Sintra?

Kos

Kos is a Greek island and third largest island of the Dodecanese group, located near the Turkish coast in the southeast Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beautiful sandy beaches, which make it a popular tourist destination, as well as its ancient Greek and Roman landmarks.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Kos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €165, while the average daily cost in Sintra is €146. 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 Kos and Sintra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    Sintra 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    Sintra 114
Compare Hotels in Kos and Sintra

Looking for a hotel in Kos or Sintra? 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 Kos


Hotels in Sintra


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: Kos Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    Sintra 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Roundtrip Minivan Transfer to Therma Natural Spa Beach: $26
  • Lido Water Park Admission Ticket with Transfers: $26
  • Paradise Beach Return Transfer: $27
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to Mount Zia for Sunset Viewing: $29
  • Private Transfer from Kos Resorts to Kos Airport: $33
  • Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $33
  • A Day's 3-Island Cruise Tour with Transfer: $54
  • Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $60
  • Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $65
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $66
  • From Kalymnos Self-Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $68
  • Arrival transfer from Kos Airport : $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Transfer From Lisbon To Albufeira Algarve: $269
  • Transfer From Lisboa to Nazaré: $132
  • Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $299
  • Transfer From Lisboa To Faro Algarve: $299
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $119
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $107
  • Tours and Transfers: $98
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $89
  • Private Transfer To & From Lisbon: $35
  • Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
  • Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
  • Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Sintra?

Prices for flights to both Sintra and Kos 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
    Kos 75
    Sintra 73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos

For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sunset Cruise with Swimming and BBQ Dinner: $65
  • Kos Greek Night with Transfer Dinner and Unlimited Wine: $66
  • Kefalos Sunset Cruise from Kos with Dinner: $67
  • Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $88
  • Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $111
  • Kos 4x4 Sunset Adventure with dinner: $113

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sintra

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

  • Lisbon Countryside Food Tour on Vintage Car: $103
  • Boho Chic Picnic Dinner with Water Views: $109
  • DINNER OR TAPAS in a Poruguese Home : $113
  • Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience: $120
  • Pastel de Nata or Portuguese Cooking Class in Sintra with Locals: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    Sintra 23

Tours and Activities in Kos

For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kos Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Kos Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops: $23
  • Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $24
  • From Zia Sunset Tour: $29
  • 3-Island Cruise with Lunch, Swimming and Audio Guide: $29
  • Kos : 3-Island Wooden Ship Cruise w/ Lunch on Captain Hook: $29
  • Zia Village Sunset Tour with Hotel Pickup: $29
  • From 3-Island Pirate Cruise with Lunch and Waterslide: $29
  • The Santa Maria 3 Island Cruise in the Aegean w/ Free Audio Guide: $30
  • Barco De Pirata Cruise at 3 Islands in Greece : $30
  • 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island with Personalized Audio Guide: $31
  • From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!: $35

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • E-Bike Self Guided Tour Sintra & Cabo da Roca : $57
  • 19th Century Photography Experience: $48
  • 2 Hours Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Sintra: $78
  • 4 hour tour | Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca: $66
  • 4x4 Tours in Portuguese Classic Jeeps (UMM) around Sintra: $167
  • Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Boat tour: charming Cascais Coast to Lisbon lighthouse: $57
  • Cascais Coastal EBike Tour: $66
  • Cascais Coastal Secrets 90 Minute Cruise with Free Wine and Beer: $57
  • Cascais Electric Bike Tour Self-Guided Half-Day Experience: $72
  • Cascais to Lisbon Sunset Cruise with Open Bar: $57
  • Cascais: Glamour and Decay by The Lisbon Coastline - Private Tour: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    Sintra 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Kos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:

  • Sip and Savor Boutique Wine Tasting Experience: $66
  • Guided Tour of Kos Town Asclepeion and Zia with Wine Tasting: $99

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: $84
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $89
  • Half Day in Sintra and Cabo da Roca with Wine Tasting: $90
  • From Sintra, Mafra, or Ericeira: Hike and Wine Tour: $100
  • Lisbon Region Wine Tour: Mafra & Ericeira + Hotel Pick-Up: $197
  • PRIVATE TOUR WINE TASTING QUINTA BACALHÔA & JOSÉ MARIA FONSECA (Setubal Region): $233
  • Hidden Gems: Sintra & Cascais Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $316


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


Which is Bigger, Kos or Sintra?

Sintra has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Sintra, 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.