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Planning Your Visit

How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon

A complete guide to reaching Sintra from Lisbon by train, car, or organized tour. Learn about schedules, costs, and the best transportation options.

Hop On Sintra Team·March 31, 2026·3 min read
How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon

How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon

Sintra is just 30 kilometers northwest of Lisbon, making it an easy and popular day trip destination. Here's everything you need to know about getting there.

The train is the most popular and convenient way to reach Sintra from Lisbon.

From Rossio Station

  • Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes during the day
  • Journey Time: Approximately 40 minutes
  • Cost: Around €2.30 each way with a Viva Viagem card
  • Hours: Trains run from 5:47 AM to 1:30 AM

How to Buy Tickets

  1. Purchase a Viva Viagem card at any train station (€0.50)
  2. Load it with zapping credit or buy a single ticket
  3. A return ticket to Sintra costs around €4.60

Pro Tips

  • Buy your return ticket beforehand to avoid the large morning queues to the ticket office at Rossio train Station
  • Rossio Station is also accessible from Oriente or Santa Apolónia
  • The train can get crowded in summer - consider traveling early

By Car

Driving to Sintra gives you flexibility but comes with challenges.

Route

  • Take the IC19 highway from Lisbon
  • Journey time: 30-45 minutes depending on traffic
  • Be prepared to park in one of the adjacent parking lots and look for local transportation as cars are now allowed in many areas of Sintra, including the road that leads to Pena Palace
  • For convinient free parking we recommend Parking 1 and Parking 2 of Portela de Sintra.

Parking Challenges

  • Very limited parking near the center
  • Parking lots fill up quickly in summer

Once You Arrive in Sintra

After reaching Sintra train station, you have several options:

  1. Hop On Sintra Day Pass (Recommended)

    • Hop-on/hop-off service.
    • Unlimited rides between all major attractions
    • Small vehicles with local guides for a personalized experience

  2. Bus 434/435

    • Tourist bus connecting main attractions
    • Can get very crowded
    • Long wait times during peak season

  3. Walking

    • The town center is walkable but some of the attractions are on steep hills and far apart, may not be suitable for people with phisical limitations or with time constraints.

Best Time to Travel

  • Early Morning: Trains at 8-9 AM are less crowded
  • Weekdays: Quieter than weekends
  • Off-Season: October to April sees fewer crowds

Return Journey

Plan to catch your return train by 6-7 PM to avoid rush hour crowds. Evening trains can be packed with day-trippers returning to Lisbon.

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