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

Should you visit Sintra or Vienna?

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

Should I visit Sintra or Vienna? 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna

Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Vienna 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 Vienna is €176. 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 Vienna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sintra 57
    Vienna 94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sintra 114
    Vienna 188
Compare Hotels in Sintra and Vienna

Looking for a hotel in Sintra or Vienna? 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 Vienna


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 Vienna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sintra 21
    Vienna 19

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna

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


  • Bus to Airport
    30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna

Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bratislava - Vienna Airport: Direct & Reliable Bus Transfer: $10
  • Bratislava Bus Transfer to and from Vienna Airport: $22
  • Vienna VIE Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $27
  • Transfer from Vienna Airport (VIE) to Vienna City Center: $48
  • Transfer from Vienna airport to Bratislava: $57
  • Vienna Airport (VIE) Private Transfer to Vienna City/Hotels: $62
  • Departure Private Transfer Vienna to Vienna Airport VIE by Sedan: $64
  • Arrival Private Transfer Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Sedan: $65
  • Private Transfer from Vienna Airport to Vienna City Hotel: $71
  • Private transfer from Vienna to the airport : $72
  • Schwechat Airport Private Transfer to Vienna City: $75
  • Private Transfer from Vienna Airport: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Sintra or Vienna?

Prices for flights to both Vienna 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
    Vienna 58

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 Vienna

For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1 Hour Tradtional Kaiserschmarrn Cooking Class & Tasting in Wien: $47
  • Strauss Dinner Show: $118
  • Evening at Schönbrunn Palace 3-course Dinner and Concert: $122
  • Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $125
  • Schnitzel and Strudel: Shared Cooking Class : $143
  • Nuit des Lumières - The Candlelight Dinner Concert in Vienna: $154
  • Authentic Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks: $170
  • Nabiel's Vienna Cooking Class: $179
  • Classic Food Tour of Vienna: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sintra 23
    Vienna 38

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 Vienna

For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self Guided Tours Vienna With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Vienna's Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Imperial Adventure: $3.57
  • Entrance tickets for the KunstHausWien. Museum Hundertwasser: $4.78
  • Vienna Self Guided Walking Tour, Royal traditions & Cafe Culture: $5.78
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Vienna: $7.16
  • Vienna Spy Mission: Self-Guided Espionage Adventure: $7.16
  • Vienna Interactive City Tour: $8.36
  • Vienna Wurstelprater Exploration Game and Tour: $8.66
  • Vienna Food Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Vienna Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Overview & architectural tour: Secrets of the MuseumQuartier: $11
  • Audio Tour Ikonen Mautner Orthodox Icon Gallery Vienna: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sintra 17
    Vienna 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 Vienna

Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $14
  • Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
  • Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
  • Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace with optional Palace Ticket: $54
  • Small-group Vienna Wine Tour: $142
  • Austrian Wine Tasting: $143
  • Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna: $143
  • Vienna Woods Tour with underground lake and wine tasting: $155
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $161
  • Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna: $161
  • Vienna Woods Wine Tour - Wines, Vines & Good Times!: $190
  • Private tour Neusiedler See, Rust (wine tasting), Purbach: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sintra and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sintra or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Sintra. When comparing the sizes of Sintra and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sintra or Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna and Sintra during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sintra is around the same temperature as Vienna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sintra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Vienna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sintra. In the summer, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Vienna. Sintra gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Sintra usually gets less rain in July than Vienna. Sintra gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sintra 23°C (73°F) 
    Vienna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sintra and Vienna. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sintra is generally much warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Sintra average around 19°C (66°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Sintra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during autumn. Sintra gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sintra usually receives more rain than Vienna. Sintra gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sintra 19°C (66°F) 
    Vienna 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Vienna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sintra as well as Vienna. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vienna can be very cold. Sintra is much warmer than Vienna in the winter. The daily temperature in Sintra averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Sintra often gets more sunshine than Vienna. Sintra gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun.

Sintra receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sintra usually gets more rain in January than Vienna. Sintra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sintra 12°C (53°F) 
    Vienna 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Sintra or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna and Sintra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

In the spring, Sintra is a little warmer than Vienna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sintra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Vienna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sintra. Sintra usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during spring. Sintra gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sintra usually receives more rain than Vienna. Sintra gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sintra 16°C (60°F) 
    Vienna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Vienna and Sintra

Sintra Vienna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)