Sintra is a UNESCO-listed destination in Portugal known for its magnificent palaces and extraordinary gardens, along with its beautiful natural landscapes.
You’ll find it just 30 km away from Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, and it’s probably the most popular day trip from Lisbon. I know that there are already so many cool things to do in Lisbon, but you really, REALLY can’t miss adding it to your Portugal itinerary! Especially when it’s so easy to get there.
Below are all of the transportation options available for getting to Sintra from Lisbon (by public transport or with other options). I did all the research for you so you can just choose whatever works best for you!
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Go on a Sintra Tour from Lisbon
Joining a guided tour is a convenient (and hassle-free) way to get to Sintra from Lisbon. The main advantage is that you’ll be able to see the major tourist attractions in Sintra and get transportation along with it.
There are many day tours to choose from, but these are the ones that provide the best value for your bucks IMO.
▶️ The Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour is the top-rated option on GetYourGuide. On this busy day, you’ll get to visit Pena Palace and Quinta da regaleira in Sintra, before making your way to Cabo da Roca. You’ll head to Cascais next, a favorite holiday destination among the European aristocrats. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ If you prefer something more adventurous, the Sintra to Cascais Full-Day Guided E-Bike Tour is for you. You’ll travel to Sintra by train, and there hop on an electric bike. During the day you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Sintra National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Montserrate Palace, Pena Palace, Peninha Sanctuary, and the beautiful town of Cascais. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Want to be travel in style? Then book this Sintra & Cascais Tour in a New Beetle Convertible, which departs from Lisbon. It takes you around the main attractions of Sintra, allowing time to explore the main attractions, including Pena Palace, and Castelo dos Mouros. You’ll then continue to Cabo da Roca and the lovely Cascais. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
READ ALSO: 10 Best Sintra Tours from Lisbon
How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon by Train
Taking the train from Lisbon to Sintra is the most efficient transportation available if you prefer to visit on your own.
➤ The Lisbon to Sintra train runs multiple times every hour starting at Lisbon’s Rossio train station. This station is conveniently located within downtown Lisbon and just off Rossio Square, and it serves as the main hub to get to Sintra from Lisbon.
The first train to Sintra from Lisbon departs at 5.40 AM and the last train from Sintra to Lisbon leaves at 1 AM. You can find the Lisbon to Sintra train schedule here. The travel time by train from Lisbon to Sintra is around 40 minutes, and a train ticket to Sintra costs €2.30 at the time of writing.
Get off at Sintra train station, which is the last station on this route so don’t worry about missing your stop. Sintra train station is within a short walking distance of the town center.
➤ There is also another train that serves Sintra from Oriente station (the main Lisbon railway station).
This train is mostly used by tourists who arrive from the airport or that are staying in this part of the city, because Oriente station is not as central as Rossio station. This route takes around 47 minutes and has the same cost as the Lisbon Rossio – Sintra route.
There are multiple trains per hour from Oriente station to Sintra as well, you can check the train timetable here.
➤ You can buy your train tickets at the ticket office or the ticket vending machines. If you prefer, you can also BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKETS ONLINE in advance to skip any queues.
Take a Bus from Lisbon to Sintra
There’s another way to get to Sintra from Lisbon, by bus. However, I don’t recommend the bus Lisbon- Sintra as it’s way more expensive than the train and takes longer. I don’t really see why anyone would choose this option over the train.
➤ The Sintra Express is operated by Vimeca Transportes only between April 1st and September 30th. There are buses from Lisbon to Sintra from 9 AM to 7 PM.
The bus to Sintra from Lisbon departs from Marques de Pombal in Lisbon and drops you off at Sintra Station. The cost of a one-way bus ticket is €10 or €15 for a round-trip ticket. There’s also an option to purchase a round-trip ticket combined with bus 434 to get around Sintra (more about that later) for €20.
➤ You can buy your Lisbon to Sintra bus tickets in advance HERE.
Lisbon to Sintra By Private Driver
If you prefer to enjoy the sights and attractions of Sintra without worrying about directions and getting lost, you can hire a private driver.
➤ The Full Day Private Transport – Sintra and Cascais is a convenient option because you’ll be picked up at your hotel and then transported in a private vehicle. Your driver will take you to some of the must-see attractions in Sintra, and you’ll have an audioguide available. A visit to the westernmost point in Europe, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais are included as well. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
It certainly is a more expensive option for a day trip to Sintra than taking the train, but this option combines the convenience of having a private driver with the knowledge of a guide = win-win!
Transportation in Sintra
Once you make it to Sintra from Lisbon, the next thing to consider is how you’ll get around Sintra to visit all of the beautiful Sintra castles and palaces.
➤ The 434 Sintra Tourist Bus is probably your best option unless you are visiting Sintra from Lisbon with a group or a private driver. This tourist bus completes a loop around Sintra.
It connects the train station to Palacio da Pena, and it also passes through the historic center of Sintra (where you can find some delicious, traditional pastries), as well as the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros).
The tourist bus departs every 15 minutes from Sintra Train Station, you can find the timetable here. Make sure to line up for the bus as soon as you get off the train at the station because it can get quite busy.
The 434 Sintra Tourist Bus is operated by Scotturb and the cost of a single bus ticket is €6.45 at the time of writing, but you can purchase a ticket for the entire loop (hop-on-hop-off bus ticket) for €11.
I certainly suggest buying this second type of ticket if you’re planning to take the bus more than once.
That’s it! I hope this post was useful to plan your trip from Lisbon to Sintra, Portugal. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you book something through one of my links I might get a commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you
