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

Should you visit Sintra or Krakow?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Krakow? 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 Krakow?

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.

Krakow

Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Sintra?

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 Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €70. 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 Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Krakow? 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 Krakow


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 Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Krakow 6.05

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer-Krakow Balice Airport: $11
  • Krakow Balice Airport -Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer: $12
  • Transfer Krakow Balice Airport - Krakow City: $20
  • Krakow Airport Transfer: $22
  • Private transfer | Krakow City - Krakow Airport Balice: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour from Ticket & Transfer: $27
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Kraków HTL-APT (KRK): $28
  • Private Transfer from Kraków City to Kraków John Paul II (KRK) Airport: $29
  • Krakow Airport Arrival Transfer: $30
  • Transfer Krakow Balice Airport - Krakow City: $30
  • Krakow Airport Private Transfer: $31

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow 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 73
    Krakow 22

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

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

  • Small-Group Online Cooking Class Polish Pierogi : $30
  • Krakow Tipsy Polish Food Tour with History Pierogi and Shots: $39
  • Pierogi Cooking Class with Market Shopping and Local Snacks: $82
  • Eat Like a Local in Krakow - Food Tour with BeMyGuest: $99
  • Krakow Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Dinner: $105
  • Krakow Bites and Sights Food Tour: $114
  • Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $114
  • Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Krakow: $121
  • Private Food Tour in Krakow Poland: $198
  • Go Karting Experience with Pizza and Drinks in Krakow: $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Krakow 19

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

Tours and Activities in Krakow

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

  • Krakow Unveiled: Self-Guided Heritage Tour: $3.57
  • Krakow Stories: Self Guided Audio Guide Tour: $3.57
  • A Walk With the Dead Krakow Ghost Tour: $3.57
  • Archdiocesan Museum in Krakow – Entry Ticket: $3.95
  • Archeological Museum - Skip The Line Ticket : $4.52
  • The Best of A Walking Tour Through the Heart of the City: $4.78
  • Krakow Old Town Mysteries: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Home Army Museum in Krakow - Skip The Line Ticket: $6.67
  • Wawel Hill Audio-Guided Tour: $8.36
  • Krakow Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Krakow Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Tour: $9.55
  • Art Documentation Centre CRICOTEKA in Krakow - Entrance Ticket: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Krakow 6.38

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • Vodka
    13

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:

  • 1 Hour of Open Bar Pub Crawl + Karaoke + VIP Entry to Best Clubs : $28
  • Pub Crawl Krawl Through Krakow: $28
  • Krakow Pub Crawl with 1 Hr of unlimited alcohol & 4 clubs/pubs: $29
  • Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $31
  • Tyskie Brewery Tour from Katowice: $131


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Krakow, we can see that Sintra is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow 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 Krakow.

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


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Krakow, 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 Krakow?

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 Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Krakow.

In July, Sintra is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 23°C (73°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sintra usually receives less rain than Krakow. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Krakow.

Sintra is much warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°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 Krakow. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sintra is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sintra in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sintra. In January, Sintra usually receives more rain than Krakow. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Sintra during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Sintra is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 16°C (60°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the spring, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Sintra

Sintra Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)