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

Should you visit Luxor or Sintra?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Sintra? 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: Luxor or Sintra?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Sintra or Luxor?

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 Luxor is $33, while the average daily cost in Sintra is $172. 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 Luxor and Sintra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $11
    Sintra $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $22
    Sintra $132
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Sintra

Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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 Luxor


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Sintra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $5.64
    Sintra $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
  • Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Seamless Transfers Between Luxor Airport & Your Hotel: $6.65
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.90
  • Luxor Airport to Aswan, Hurghada Transfer pickup/drop off 1 Way: $7.00
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
  • Private Luxury Cars for Luxor Airport Arrival, Departure Transfer: $8.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sintra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sintra:

  • Ericeira Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $66
  • Estoril, Cascais or Sintra Private Transfer to Lisbon: $30
  • Lisbon: Private Transfer to Sintra: $47
  • Private San Francisco Transfer: $232
  • Private Transfer From Lisbon Airport to/from Cascais: $84
  • Private Transfer To & From Lisbon: $35
  • TRANSFER Cascais to Lisbon Airport: $89
  • Tours and Transfers: $98
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(3pax): $107
  • Transfer Cascais to Lisbon(8pax): $119
  • Transfer From Lisboa To Faro Algarve: $299
  • Transfer From Lisboa To Portimão Algarve: $299

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Sintra?

Prices for flights to both Sintra and Luxor 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
    Luxor $16
    Sintra $86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • Luxor & Mummification Museums & City Tour by H. Carriage & Dinner: $70
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120

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.
    Luxor $10
    Sintra $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
  • Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00
  • Private Half-Day tour to Karnak temple: $10
  • Luxor Shopping Tour : $10
  • Luxor City Tour by Horse Carriage Visit Local: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour: $10
  • Tour in Luxor toTemple&Habu&Deir el-Medina&Valley of the Artisans: $10

Tours and Activities in Sintra

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

  • Sintra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.49
  • Spy Nest in Estoril: Self-Guided Cold War Puzzle Adventure: $7.15
  • Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket: $12
  • Frigate D. Fernando II e Glória Warship Entry Ticket: $12
  • Almada’s Tale: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Convent of the Capuchos Fast Track Entry Ticket: $13
  • Monserrate Palace & Park Ticket: $14
  • Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Ticket: $14
  • National Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Ticket: $15
  • National Sintra Palace E-Ticket and Audio Guide: $17
  • Palace of Monserrate Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry Ticket: $18
  • Pena Palace Entry Visit Ticket Experience: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $3.10
    Sintra $20

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Sintra, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Sintra is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Sintra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sintra than you might in Luxor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Sintra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Sintra?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.


When is the best time to visit Luxor or Sintra?

Sintra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luxor experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Luxor or Sintra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Sintra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.

Luxor can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 33°C (91°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Sintra. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Sintra 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Sintra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Sintra. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Luxor is a little warmer than Sintra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Sintra fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Sintra. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Sintra 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Sintra in the Winter?

Both Sintra and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.

In the winter, Luxor is a little warmer than Sintra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luxor in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Sintra averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sintra. In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Sintra. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Sintra 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Sintra in the Spring?

Both Sintra and Luxor during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Luxor is generally much warmer than Sintra. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Sintra fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Sintra. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sintra receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Sintra 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Sintra and Luxor

Luxor Sintra
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)