Which place is cheaper, Lucca 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 Lucca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Lucca? 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 Lucca?
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.
Lucca
Lucca is of interest to travelers for its impressive architecture, interesting history and unique defensive walls that were designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. Impressively, these walls were never breached. Today there is a ring park on top of the walls that is an enjoyable place to walk. The city dates back to the Etruscan and Ancient Roman times and much of the architecture remains today. The city was an independent city state until the 18th century and was the birth place of Giacomo Puccini, a world famous Italian opera composer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesLucca Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Lucca €136
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Lucca is €136. 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 Lucca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Lucca €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Lucca €122
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Lucca
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Lucca? 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 Lucca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Lucca €4.29
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 Lucca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lucca:
- Tasting in a Tuscan Vineyard with transfer from Lucca: $106
- Private Transfer from Lido di Camaiore to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $257
- Private Transfer from Lucca to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $263
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Lucca?
Prices for flights to both Lucca 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 €73Lucca €72
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 Lucca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lucca.
- Morning Food Tour with Snacks and Coffee: $82
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in San Miniato with Show Cooking: $101
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Capannori with Show Cooking: $102
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Pistoia with Show Cooking: $102
- Lucca’s Ultimate Food Tour: Full Tuscan Meal by Do Eat Better: $109
- 2Italia Lucca Food Tour: $114
- Lucca Walking Tour & Traditional Cooking Class with Wine: $115
- Lucca Walking Tour & Traditional Cooking Class with Wine: $118
- Typical Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Lucca: $131
- Cooking Class Lucca: $152
- Private Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $152
- Traditional-Traditional Cooking Class cuisine course: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Lucca €5.68
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
- Castle of the Moors Skip-the-Line Ticket: $14
- Monserrate Palace & Park 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 Lucca
Here are a few actual costs in Lucca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking tour of Lucca and its walls: $12
- Guided Walking Tour: $18
- 2-Hour City Center Walking Tour: $18
- join a 'must see' walking tour! (English): $18
- Renaissance City Walls Walking Tour: $18
- Guided City by Night Walking Tour: $18
- Your Lucca Walking Tour English OR Italian: $18
- Discover Lucca’s Secrets on a Guided Walking Tour: $18
- Self-Guided Tour by Bike: $21
- Self-Guided Tour by Bike with MAP: $21
- Walking Tour: Mysterious Lucca through Stories and Legends: $23
- Lucca Red Light Tour: Discovering the City's Naughty History: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Lucca €13
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 Lucca
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucca:
- Wine Tasting Experience - Tenuta Adamo Winery: $24
- Guided Winery Tour with Wine Tasting: $29
- Wine tasting in Lucca: $48
- Honest Wines- Wine tasting at Cantina Biagiotti: $60
- Added Organic Wine Tasting in San Miniato: $78
- Tuscany Wine Tours in a family winery Podere Pellicciano: $84
- Wine tasting in Versilia with sommelier - 5 wines and local products: $90
- Chianti Half-Day Wine Tour in the Tuscan Hills Small Group from Lucca: $94
- RomanticOpera concert in the artist's house on the hills and wine tasting: $104
- Guided E-Bike and Wine Tour: $127
- Guided E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting from Lucca: $130
- Bike Ride & WIne Tasting: $144
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Lucca, we can see that Sintra 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 Lucca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Lucca?
Lucca has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Lucca, 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.
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.