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Lisbon to Cascais by Train: Day Trip Itinerary & Tips

ByTina Riegelnegg
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Thinking about taking a day trip from Lisbon to Cascais? You’re in luck, it’s one of the easiest and most scenic escapes from the city. The train ride takes just 35 minutes, costs only a couple of euros, and runs right along the beautiful Atlantic coast.

When I did this trip, I didn’t even ride all the way to the last stop. Instead, I got off one station earlier at Monte Estoril and walked the seaside promenade into Cascais. Palm trees, ocean views, and even some unexpected street art, it was the perfect way to arrive.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to take the train from Lisbon to Cascais, the best things to do once you arrive, and why this little coastal town makes such a rewarding day trip.

How to Get from Lisbon to Cascais by Train

The easiest and cheapest way to reach Cascais is by train from Lisbon. Trains leave from Cais do Sodré station every 20 minutes or so, and the journey takes about 35–40 minutes.

Tickets cost just a couple of euros, and you can even use your Lisboa Card or topped-up Viva Viagem card, so there’s no need to buy a separate train ticket.

This is not just transport, it’s also one of the most scenic train rides in Portugal. The railway line runs right along the Tagus River and the Atlantic coast, so be sure to sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best ocean views.

Tip: Take the Scenic Route

For the most scenic arrival, don’t ride all the way to Cascais train station. Get off one stop earlier at Monte Estoril. From there, it’s about a 15 min walk to Cascais along the seaside promenade, with gorgeous ocean.

If you’re up for a longer stroll, get off at Estoril instead. You can take a quick peek at this luxurious seaside town before following the coast for about 30 min until you reach Cascais.

Stone-paved coastal promenade with two women walking alongside a rocky shoreline, as waves crash against the rocks. The path runs parallel to a stone wall with greenery and a tram line, under a sky filled with scattered clouds and bright blue patches.
I loved walking down the seaside promenade on my day trip to Cascais

Suggested Day Trip Itinerary for Cascais

If you want a simple plan for your visit, here’s how I’d spend one day in Cascais. For more inspiration, check out my full guide to the best things to do in Cascais.

Morning: Explore the Old Town

Bustling pedestrian street lined with colorful souvenir shops and cafes, featuring a distinctive black-and-white wave-patterned cobblestone walkway. Shoppers and tourists stroll under a bright blue sky, surrounded by pastel buildings with red-tiled roofs and open balconies.
The floor tiles are really cool in Cascais old town
A hand holding a doughnut with jam filling and panna cotta on top
Such amazing vegan doughnuts, this one was blueberry and panna cotta

Start your day by strolling through Cascais’ charming old town with its tiled streets and colorful buildings. Stop for a coffee or snack at whichever café catches your eye.

If you want a real treat, head to Scoop ‘n Dough, a vegan donut and ice cream shop with some of the most creative flavors I’ve ever tried.

Late Morning: Walk to Boca do Inferno

Natural sea arch carved into rugged coastal cliffs, with turquoise waves crashing into a rocky inlet below. The layered rock formations display shades of red, orange, and gray, surrounded by patches of green vegetation near the cliff’s edge.
A wave crashing into a cave, it's called Boca do Inferno
That’s how it looked when I visited

Once you leave the town behind, it’s only another 15 minute walk to reach the dramatic cliffs of Boca do Inferno.

When I went, the waves were still wild from a storm the day before, and it was seriously impressive to watch the water crash into the rocks.

On your way back, I recommend taking the slightly longer scenic coastal path, which rewards you with even more beautiful ocean views.

Afternoon: Beach or Culture (Your Choice)

An empty beach in Cascais, relaxing on the beach is one of the best things to do in Cascais Portugal
The beach was very empty during my visit because it was so windy
Ornate seaside castle with a mix of stone and yellow-painted walls, featuring arched windows, balconies, and a pointed tiled turret. The structure sits directly on a rocky beach, with stone stairs leading down to the sand, framed by overcast skies and lush greenery.
Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães
A unique looking building, which looks like a red pyramid with a tree in front
Paula Rego Museum

If the sun is out, head to one of Cascais’ beaches like Praia da Rainha, a small and sheltered beach right in the town center, or the wider Praia da Conceição, perfect for a swim.

If you’d rather dive into Cascais’ culture, visit a museum or two.

Combine Cascais with a Day Trip to Sintra

Colorful exterior of Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal, featuring a vivid yellow domed tower and lavender-tiled facade with ornate details. Tourists walk and gather in the cobblestone courtyard below, surrounded by lush greenery and whimsical architectural elements under a bright blue sky.
The famous Pena Palace
View down a well, there's a stairwell leading to the bottom; Is Sintra worth visiting? Yes, so you can see this amazing well
Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira
A castle wall and tower, on one side are bushes and stones, on the other side is a town in the distance, make sure to add it to your itinerary if you do one of the SIntra day tours from Lisbon
The walls of the Moorish Castle

You can also combine Cascais with a trip to Sintra for a truly unforgettable day. Sintra is famous for its fairytale palaces, like the colorful Pena Palace, the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its underground tunnels, and the historic Moorish Castle.

That said, doing both Cascais and Sintra in one day is difficult by public transport. Trains don’t directly connect the two, and transfers can eat up a lot of time. If you want to see both places in one day, the easiest way is to join a guided tour from Lisbon.

Most of these tours also include a stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, which is an incredible bonus.

👉 Check out my guide to the best Sintra & Cascais day tours from Lisbon, they’re the most practical way to see it all in one day without stress.

A lighthouse in the distance, in the front you can see a palm tree, rocks and the ocean
Usually the water is crystal clear in Cascais
Tina taking a selfie in front of a bridge with a beach underneath
There was very little water at the beach during my visit

Final Thoughts: Is Cascais Worth Visiting?

Cascais is worth visiting if you’re looking for a laid-back seaside escape that’s close to Lisbon. It’s perfect for travelers who want to spend a day by the ocean, stroll through a charming old town, and enjoy dramatic coastal views like Boca do Inferno.

If, however, you’re more interested in palaces, castles, and historic gardens, then Sintra is the better choice. While both destinations get crowded in summer, Cascais still has a more relaxed vibe compared to Sintra’s packed tourist hotspots.

👉 And if you’d prefer to explore less crowded day trip options, take a look at my guide to the best day trips from Lisbon for even more ideas.

Read more about Lisbon:

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a walk next to the beach in Cascais and a picture of the coastline of Cascais, in between is the text "Amazing day trip Cascais from Lisbon"
How to Plan Your Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon
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Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.