Which place is cheaper, Dublin or Sintra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sintra or Dublin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Dublin? 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 Dublin?
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.
Dublin
Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesDublin Prices
Ireland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Dublin €179
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Dublin is €179. 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 Dublin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Dublin €68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Dublin €136
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Dublin
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Dublin? 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 Dublin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Dublin €19
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:
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Rental Car for a Day€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:
- One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $12
- Dublin DUB Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $36
- Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $43
- Dublin Cruise Ship Shore Excursion|Hop-on Hop-off & Rail Transfer: $44
- Private Dublin Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $66
- Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $94
- Premium Mercedes E-Class Transfer – Dublin Airport to City Centre: $96
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from Dublin airport DUB to Dublin: $99
- Private Sedan(4 seats) Transfer from Dublin City Center to Dublin Airport: $104
- Dublin Airport To the Howth Dublin Private Car Transfer: $114
- Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $118
- Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Dublin?
Prices for flights to both Dublin 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 €73Dublin €85
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
Typical Food Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:
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Lunch Lynam's Pub€3.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
- Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $33
- Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $59
- Dublin Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Dublin Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $70
- NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $71
- Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $82
- Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $88
- Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $93
- Delicious Walking Food Tour: $94
- Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $96
- Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Dublin €25
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin
Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Wild Wicklow Tour€26
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Guinness Brewery for Two€27
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St Pauls Cathedral€4.50
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Dublin Writer's Museum€6.30
Tours and Activities in Dublin
Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
- Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.70
- Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $7.05
- Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.17
- Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.35
- Dublin Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Dublin Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
- The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Dublin (Dun Laoghaire) Self-Guided Coastal Audio Tour: $10
- Dublin Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $12
- A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Dublin's Temple Bar: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Dublin €17
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin
Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Dublin Ireland Bar Crawl: $15
- Generation Pub Crawl: $16
- Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $24
- Dublin Pub Tour in Spanish: $24
- The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $26
- City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
- Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
- Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Dublin, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Dublin?
Dublin has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Dublin, 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 Dublin?
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 Dublin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Dublin. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sintra is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Dublin. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySintra 23°C (73°F)Dublin 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Dublin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Dublin. Additionally, most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 Dublin. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Dublin. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSintra 19°C (66°F)Dublin 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Dublin in the Winter?
Both Dublin and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sintra is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Dublin. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySintra 12°C (53°F)Dublin 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sintra or Dublin in the Spring?
Both Dublin and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.
In the spring, Sintra is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.
Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Dublin. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSintra 16°C (60°F)Dublin 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Dublin and Sintra
| Sintra | Dublin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 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.