Straight forward tips on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon easily

When you purchase through links on our site we may earn a commission, Learn More >>

For the thousands upon thousands of visitors to Lisbon each year, nearly all come wanting to visit Sintra. What a lot of these visitors don’t know is that how to get to Sintra from Lisbon is easy and straightforward. Lisbon to Sintra can be done in a number of ways.

The most popular way is to do a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is to catch one of the Lisbon trains. Nonetheless, one can also see the Sintra attractions by driving to Sintra, booking a private transfer or catching a bus to Sintra. A site as amazing as Sintra is a major tourist centre. Tourists, travellers and day-trippers come in droves each day from the capital Lisbon to visit this unique location.

Why should you visit Sintra?

Sintra was a popular destination for relaxation with the Portuguese Royal family and those in high society. This left the landscape at Sintra with many Royal residences, retreats, estates, castles and other buildings. These include the medieval Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace and the Palacio Nacional de Sintra in the historic centre of Sintra. These sights and more make the perfect Sintra Itinerary.

Pena Palace at Sintra. Planning a day trip to Sintra is one of the best things to do. But how to get to Sintra from Lisbon easily?

Sintra is today protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape. Sintra is described by UNESCO as such:

Some Sintra facts:

In the 19th century, Sintra Portugal became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees.

Other fine dwellings, built along the same lines in the surrounding Serra, created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.

The description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Visit Sintra Portugal attractions

One day in Sintra may not be enough to see all the amazing attractions on offer. Below are some of the highlights that we recommend you see for the best Sintra experience possible. Pena Palace should always be first on your Sintra Day Trip, after all, it is the colourful castle everyone knows.

Pena Palace

The most popular of Sintra attractions. A big bright multi-coloured castle designed in the 19th century Romanticism style of architecture. A true wonder to visit. The Palace is surrounded by Pena Park, the 200 hectares of parkland was designed by King Ferdinand II. The Cruz Alta is the highest point of Sintra and is located in Pena Park.

Quinta de Regaleira

The grand manor was built with an intricate gothic facade. Quinta de Regaleira has 5 floors with rooms to explore. The real reason to visit is the gardens out the back of the estate. Featuring wells, grottos and symbols of ancient secret orders like the Knights Templar.

Castle of the Moors 

The Castelo dos Mouros was established during the 9th century by the North African Moors to guard the town of Sintra. After the Christians conquered Portugal the castle fell into disrepair. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake nearly toppled it. Today the ancient ruin is highly popular providing amazing views in its forest setting.

National Palace of Sintra

The best-preserved medieval royal palace in all of Portugal. Located in the historic centre of all the Sintra sights. You can’t miss Palácio Nacional de Sintra with its 2 cones that protrude from the roof. This former Royal Residence dates from the early 14th century.

Sintra Old Town

The town centre of Sintra is like a step back in time. Stroll the picturesque cobbled streets, admire the traditional house shops and have a bite to eat at one of the many cafes. The town centre of Sintra surrounds the Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena)

Let’s find the best options on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon

There are so many options on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon and it will all rely on your confidence in travelling and the amount of time you have.

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon – Organised tour

If public transport or the driving option don’t suit you an organized Sintra tour from Lisbon is your best bet. There are many tours running daily from Lisbon to the Sintra attractions. Some of the positives of going on an organized tour can be:

Benefits of taking an organised tour to Sintra from Lisbon

  • You don’t have to get to Rossio Lisbon Train station
  • You don’t have to take public transport on Lisbon tours to Sintra
  • You can usually organize a pickup and drop off at your accommodation
  • You will have a guide that will keep you informed on the journey out to Sintra and the return
  • Entry tickets to the sights are usually included which helps avoid the long queues
  • One price for everything
  • An organized tour of the sights.

The tours usually have many options such as half-day, full-day and can include extras like a trip to nearby towns and sometimes food and beverages. Below we preview some of the tours that are available from Lisbon

8-Hour Sintra Tour

Discover one of the most special palaces in Europe, just near Lisbon. Visit the Pena Palace, explore the colourful streets of the Sintra, and pass the Estoril coast with its beautiful beaches.

  • The day is an all day event in Sintra lasting 8 hours.
  • No need to worry about how to get to Sintra from Lisbon there is a hotel pick up.
  • Guide in Spanish, English, Portuguese
  • Explore Sintra with an driver / guide
  • Explore the National Palace of Queluz.
  • Take a walk around the centre of Sintra
  • Stop at the Quinta de Monserrate and Quinta da Regaleira
  • Take in the picturesque village of Cascais
  • Head Back to Lisbon via the Estoril coast
  • Avoid the long queues at Sintra with a tour
  • Overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on reviews

Sintra Highlights Full-Day Tour

Depart Lisbon and spend the day in Sintra on this 8-hour small-group tour. You will be in awe at the stunning landscape and explore some of the grandest and most beautiful buildings in Europe.

  • This amazing tour lasts 8 hours
  • Pickup and drop-off in Lisbon at Restauradores Square in central Lisbon
  • Explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira and see the Initiation Well
  • Visit Monserrate Palace and its exotic gardens
  • Take in the City Hall and the Park of Liberty
  • Tour the magnificent Pena Palace, a former residence of the Royal Family
  • Rating 4.9 out of 5 when reviewed

Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

Visit medieval Sintra, a World Heritage Site and one of the most amazing places in Europe. Visit Pena Palace, the mystical Quinta da Regaleira. See Roca Cape, the westernmost point in Europe and stop in Cascais.

a palace at sintra in portugal
  • The lasts 8.5 hours
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Experience romantic Sintra and visit Pena Palace and the gardens
  • Tour Quinta da Regaleira
  • Stop at the westernmost point in Europe at Roca Cape
  • Visit Cascais, once the holiday destination of European aristocracy
  • Rating 4.8 out of 5

Book a private transfer for your Sintra day trip

The easiest, most relaxing way to get to Sintra is by private transfer. You will be picked up at your hotel or designated spot and driven out to Sintra in a private car. This gives you time to admire the scenery and learn some helpful tips from your driver along the way. You have two options here, you can book a transfer both ways with a drop-off and pickup point, or you can organise a transfer to Sintra where the driver and car will stay with you the whole day in Sintra.

Lisbon to Sintra by Train

The Lisbon Sintra train runs hourly from Rossio station in downtown Lisbon. The Rossio Lisbon station is a sight in itself. An amazing looking station opened in the 18th century and is located just off Rossio Square. Tickets can be purchased from ticket booths or automatic ticket machines. Rossio is the main hub for you to get from Lisbon to Sintra by train.

The train platforms at Rossio Train station in Lisbon
Rossio Portugal train station

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon by train tips

  • The Lisbon to Sintra train runs from 6 am till 1 am – 19 hours of every day
  • During peak times the Lisbon to Sintra train runs every 10 minutes
  • Departure times vary from every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes and every 30 minutes.
  • The travel time varies between 40 and 44 minutes when travelling from Lisbon to Sintra by train
  • Lisbon to Sintra train tickets cost €2.25 one way

You will arrive at the Sintra Train Station, the train station at Sintra is the end of the line, so you will not have to worry about missing the station. The Sintra Train Station only receives Lisbon trains.

How to buy a train ticket to Sintra from Lisbon

Lisbon Train Station has a ticket office and ticket vending machine where you can purchase your train tickets to Sintra. You will find there are 2-4 trains an hour on the Lisbon rail network to Sintra. You can also pick up a paper copy of the timetable for day trips from Lisbon to Sintra off a conductor at the Rossio train station.

On your return trains to Lisbon journey, you can find a timetable for Sintra to Lisbon in the Sintra Train station or on the train station platforms. This makes your Sintra Day trip easy. The Sintra Train Station has a small cafe selling food and drinks.

Money-saving tip for your trip to Sintra from Lisbon

Another excellent option is to buy one of the 2 Sintra Green cards that are offered by CP Portugal the national rail company. This will help you on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon and get you into the amazing sights. Below are the details of the two options for your Sintra day trip from Lisbon.

  • Sintra Green Card (1) – includes travel on the Sintra line (to/from Rossio, Santa Apolónia or Oriente), Pena circuit (Scotturb route 434) and admission to the Pena Palace and Park, Sintra Palace and a museum of your choice* – €31
  • Sintra Green Card (2) – includes travel on the Sintra line (to/from Rossio, Santa Apolónia or Oriente), Pena circuit (Scotturb route 434) and admission to the Pena Palace and Park, Sintra Palace, Queluz Palace and a museum of your choice* – €39.50

For customers who buy a Cp Portugal green card, there is a discount available for you to hire a pushbike and explore Sintra. From someone who has been to Sintra twice, I will tell you it’s very hilly. Unless you are a regular bike rider we suggest using the 434 bus that takes you on a Sintra tour.

Gardens at Sintra

How do I see all the sights in Sintra easily?

Bus 434 Sintra is a tourist bus that does a loop around Sintra with stops at all the attractions. Bus 434 Sintra picks up just outside of the Sintra Train station.

It’s a convenient connection for the Lisbon Sintra train passengers. The bus allows you to see the 3 major Sintra attractions in one day. You will have time to see The Pena Palace, The National Palace in the historic centre of Sintra and the Moorish Castle.

You will then be returned to the Sintra Train station for your journey back to Lisbon. Bus 434 Sintra runs 4 times an hour from Sintra Train station. My suggestion is to line up as soon as you get off the train.

When you walk out of Sintra Train station turn right and the bus stop is 100 meters down the road. From our point of view, the Lisbon to Sintra train is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get to Sintra. You can check train times with CP Portugal, the national rail operator



How to get to Sintra from Lisbon – Drive a car

It will take you around 30 minutes to drive to Sintra from Lisbon as Google suggests. If you read travel forums real people will tell you that 45 minutes is the best-case scenario and up to 2 hours at times. You will need to take either the A16 or A37 motorway from Lisbon to Cascais. Everything I have read suggests that driving to Sintra is not a great idea.

Driving from Lisbon to Sintra tips

The roads are narrow and winding and Sintra parking is a nightmare, especially right near the top attractions. There are no real designated Sintra parking yards within the town either, so you will need to rely on finding a parking space on the street. For parking near the town of Sintra, there’s a free car park below Sintra-Vila. The park and ride from Portela de Sintra Interface ( park your car here) and taking the bus into the tourist area makes sense.

Pena National Palace at Sintra

Taxi, Uber or Bla Bla Car to Sintra

This mode of transport to Sintra gives you the option of not having to follow any schedules for tours, trains, or buses. You can order your taxi, Uber or BlaBla Car ride whenever you like. Taxi will be the most expensive option, with prices being upwards of 30 Euros each way. Carpooling with BlaBla Car will be your cheapest option, but unlike taxis, there may not always be a car heading to Sintra.

The best time for a day trip Sintra from Lisbon

Here are some weather facts on the temperature in Sintra Portugal. The weather in Sintra can differ from the nearby Lisboa. During the months of May, June, September, and October you are most likely to experience good Sintra weather with warm to sunny average temperatures. The hot season and yes Portugal weather gets really hot in the summer is in the months of June, July, August, and September it can reach 40 degrees on your Lisbon Sintra day trip. Luckily, the weather in Sintra will be a few degrees cooler than in Lisbon.

  • On average, the warmest month is July.
  • On average, the coolest month is January.
  • December is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you don’t like too much rain.
  • July is the driest month.

How far is Sintra from Lisbon?

Sintra is 30 kilometres away from Lisbon

Where is Sintra Portugal?

Sintra lies slightly inland and sits between Lisbon and Cascais

Know before you go. Our top Lisbon travel tips

Travelling to Lisbon can be such an enriching experience, did you know that Lisbon is the 9th most visited city in Southern Europe? There are so many things to do in Lisbon, and having the best place to stay and explore is extremely important. Below you will find some information for planning a hassle-free vacation in Lisboa Portugal.

Great vacations start with some great vacation planning. When you are planning a trip to Europe, you’ll never be short of options for singles, doubles or family accommodation in Lisbon with teens. In the capital of Portugal, you find a range of hotels, apartments, and hostels for families on holiday. You will be sure to be able to find something to fit singles, couples, families, and groups on every budget on your family trip to Portugal.

If you’re not keen on any of our picks below or have specific needs for your teen travel holidays, we recommend using Hotellook and Trip Advisor to find the best prices in Lisbon for your family vacation to Portugal

  • Luxury: Located in Lisbon’s upscale area of Amoreiras, EPIC SANA is a newly built hotel featuring a rooftop infinity pool. Marquês de Pombal metro station is 700 m away. This amazing new hotel features a bar, restaurant, laundry service and babysitting. The 2 pools and the sun area are great for relaxing.
  • Mid Range: Located at the centre of Lisbon, HF Fenix Music is an engaging themed hotel, with a rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views of Lisbon. Each air-conditioned room is soundproofed and features a Bluetooth sound system, multicoloured dynamic lightning, a wall-mounted flat-screen cable TV, a safe, and a desk.
  • Budget: Located in the centre of the city on Rossio Square is the Lisbon Destination Hostel. The hostel features private rooms with en-suite, cooking and washing facilities. The hostel offers chill spots with hammocks, movie nights, Nintendo Wii, pool table, ping-pong, and its own food & drinks

Lisbon apartment alternative for your stay

If you prefer a home away from home-style accommodation when on your Portugal trip in Lisbon, then an apartment is the best choice for your vacation. There are so many options for singles, families, and budget-friendly options in Portugal as well. You can search VRBO or if you’re looking for a luxury apartment then Plum Guide will help you find the perfect apartment in Portugal for your Lisbon trip.

How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the best destinations in Europe for travel. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is connected by highway long distant buses, trains and planes all bringing people daily to the city. This makes Lisbon one of the easiest travel destinations to get to in Europe.

  • Lisboa is served by many international airlines and budget carriers. The airport is a hub for TAP Portugal. Lisbon is a focus city for EasyJet, Ryanair, Vueling and Azores Airlines. You can check the prices of international flights to Portugal with Cheapoair
    • If your flights have a long stopover, or you just want to relax before your trip you should consider getting a lounge pass with Priority Pass. Priority Pass have access to airport lounges all over the world. Search now for your lounge pass
      • Book a transfer from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon Central Hotel
  • Lisbon can be reached directly from 64 cities and indirectly from anywhere across Europe. Flixbus tickets are available at great prices. Book your bus tickets to Lisbon with Flixbus.
  • Rossio and Oriente Train Station is the main station in Lisboa for long-distance trains. Book your domestic and international Lisbon trains with Omio
  • Driving in Lisbon is easy. You can pick up a rental car at the Airport and dedicated sites in the city if you decide to road trip with teens in Lisbon.
  • Maybe you want to make a trip cross country? An RV is a great way to travel to Lisbon with teens.

How to get around Lisbon

  • You can buy tickets at the stations. You can purchase a rechargeable metro card for the duration of your stay or a single ticket. A single ticket on the metro is €1.90 without a rechargeable card, €1,40.Lisbon with a toddler under the age of 5 travel free when accompanied by an adult.
  • Carris/Metro single tickets: these can be bought in advance and are the perfect solution if you need the occasional hop on a bus, tram or metro. These tickets have a validity of 1 hour from the first use.
  • Maybe the easiest way is to buy a Lisboa Card. The Lisboa Card entitles you to free use of the lifts, elevators and public transport.

What currency do I need for my trip to Portugal?

The official currency you need to use in Portugal is the Euro. We recommend that you get a Revolut travel money card, that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save you money on your family holiday to Lisbon.

Travel insurance for your Portugal trip

Portugal has a high quality of healthcare but in saying that travel insurance is a must for all travellers entering the country. The last thing you want is a huge bill for medical expenses should you require care on your holiday in Lisbon.

We recommend using Travel Insurance Master, their website will compare the best deals from a number of providers and present you with the best value for money policy on the market. Click through to Insurance Masters to get a free quote.

Using your phone on your Lisbon vacation

Making calls and staying in contact is a top priority when you are travelling in Europe. Plan your trip to Lisbon and order your sim before you leave home to stop any stress about travelling, data and calls on your vacation in Portugal.

Pocket Wi-Fi for your Portugal holiday with teens

You will be able to access free Wi-Fi at certain spots in Lisbon. The best solution for travelling teens staying connected to the internet is to rent a 4G Pocket Wi-Fi hotspot. These small devices can be ordered and delivered to your hotel for your stay in Lisbon.

Alternatively, you can purchase a mobile hotspot device to keep and use on all your travel holidays. You can choose the length of time you want and the amount of daily data you will need. Order your pocket Wi-Fi today for your Lisbon, Portugal trip. 

The Lisbon Card

Discover the best sights and attractions with the amazing Lisbon Card! The card allows you to choose between a one, two, or three-day card that will let you access the public transportation networks of Lisbon.

Enjoy free admissions to iconic destinations such as Jerónimos Monastery, Museums, Palaces and more. The pass allows you to hop aboard the CP trains and visit the beautiful Sintra and Cascais on a day trip. Buy your Lisboa card today and be ready to see the sights of the Portuguese capital.

We hope you can see that the options on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon are not a big challenge. It can be accomplished by anyone. Sintra Portugal is truly a magical place and no trip to Lisbon and Portugal is complete without a visit to see the Sintra attractions.

We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit Portugal and Sintra. There are so many things to do in Sintra and we are sure you will love them all. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Portugal click through to our Portugal Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.


More travel inspiration for your trip to Portugal


21 thoughts on “Straight forward tips on how to get to Sintra from Lisbon easily”

  1. Such a helpful post for anyone traveling in the region, and it made me want to head out to Sintra immediately. Beautiful photos too! 🙂

    Reply
  2. I have been seeing so many videos on youtube about Sintra, I so want to go. This is a very informative post. I would choose my own way as tours are too quick. I like to soak up the atmosphere.

    Reply
  3. I agree the train/bus combo would also be my pick. What an amazing yellow palace. Thanks for a comprehensive post on this.

    Reply
  4. If I’m traveling with my husband, I think we’d go with the car options. Although I do love train travel. Sintra looks like such a beautiful escape from Lisbon!

    Reply
  5. Thanks for the tips on the apartment accommodation. I’m always up for lodging in a great location. Sound like the card is the way to go as you get extra discounts. I haven’t been, but it is on my list!

    Reply
  6. So much great info here, I’m hopefully heading to Lisbon next year for a wedding so will definitely consider a visit here! ?

    Reply
    • Hi Katie. You are so lucky to be heading to Lisbon. It is one of my favourite places in the world and I hope we can make it back there too someday. I really hope you get out to Sintra on your trip and if you do go I’d love to hear if you used any of our tips while you were there. Thanks so much for leaving a comment and we hope you have a brilliant day…also pass on our best wishes to the happy couple!

      Reply
  7. Greetings! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when viewing from my
    apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be
    able to resolve this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a comment