Which place is cheaper, Toledo 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 Toledo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sintra or Toledo? 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 Toledo?
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.
Toledo
Set upon a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain lies the ancient city of Toledo. Its intricate architecture is only enriched by its profound historical background, spurring tourists from all over the world to gaze at and study the story of Toledo. It has been given many names throughout its history, including the "Imperial City" for being the main venue for Charles V, Holy Roman Empire, as well as the "City of the Three Cultures" for its historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In 1986, UNESCO named Toledo a World Heritage Site due to the plethora of extensive cultural and monumental heritages. You will find that though an old city, it is just buzzing to life with things to do and places to see!
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 Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Sintra Prices
Portugal PricesToledo Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySintra €146Toledo €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Sintra is €146, while the average daily cost in Toledo is €152. 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 Toledo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSintra €57Toledo €66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSintra €114Toledo €132
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Toledo
Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Toledo? 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 Toledo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sintra €21Toledo €20
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toledo
Also for Toledo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Toledo to Madrid City Airport: $286
Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Toledo?
Prices for flights to both Toledo 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 €73Toledo €68
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 Toledo
For Toledo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch€11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sintra €23Toledo €30
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
Tours and Activities in Toledo
For Toledo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Toledo Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.15
- The City of Three Cultures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Toledo: $7.99
- Toledo Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.32
- Underground Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.98
- Tour of the Inquisition and Witchcraft in Toledo: $9.98
- Tour Nocturno de Leyendas y Misterios con Subterráneo: $11
- Guided tour of the Toledo Cathedral (Input no included): $11
- Toledo Ghost Tour: haunted houses and strange events: $11
- Legends and Mysteries Night Tour with Underground: $11
- Guided English walking tour to the monuments of Toledo: $12
- Toledo Tour Complete with Patio-House Palace: $12
- Three Cultures English Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySintra €17Toledo €19
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 Toledo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toledo:
- Convent Route with Marzipan and Wine Tasting: $21
- Convent Tour with Marzipan and Wine Tasting in Toledo: $21
When comparing the travel costs between Sintra and Toledo, we can see that Toledo 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 Toledo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sintra or Toledo?
Toledo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Toledo, 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.