How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon (Train, Tour, or More)

Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, and for good reason. With its colorful palaces, green hills, and fairytale charm, it’s a must-see destination. The best part? It’s actually really easy to get there, and you don’t need a car or a tour to do it.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to get to Sintra from Lisbon, based on my own experience. I took the train (and was very glad I did, those roads looked chaotic!), but I’ll also explain the pros and cons of driving or taking a tour.

And because getting to Sintra is just the first step, I’ll also show you how to get around once you arrive, from buses to tuk-tuks to my favorite route through the town’s top sights.

Getting to Sintra by Train (My Top Recommendation)

The easiest and most affordable way to get from Lisbon to Sintra is by train, and it’s the method I personally used (and highly recommend).

Here’s everything you need to know about the train from Lisbon to Sintra:

• Departs from: Rossio Station (central Lisbon)
• Frequency: Trains run roughly every 20 min
• Duration: Around 40 minutes
• Cost: Under €3 one way
• Check Train Times: CP (Comboios de Portugal) website

🎟️ My Tip for Tickets:
Skip the ticket office at Rossio. The lines there can be incredibly long. Instead, just top up your Viva Viagem card (the same one used for the metro) with enough credit in advance. You can simply tap in with it at the train barriers, no need for a paper ticket.

Also be sure to load enough credit for the return journey. When I visited, the line at the Sintra station ticket machine was ridiculously long, it would’ve taken ages just to buy a ticket back.

Getting to Sintra by Car (Not Recommended)

While driving might sound convenient, I honestly don’t recommend it, and after seeing the traffic and narrow roads myself, I was very glad I didn’t try it.

Here’s what to know:

• Distance: 30 km (18.6 miles) from Lisbon to Sintra
• Driving time: About 30 minutes without traffic, but it often takes closer to an hour
• Parking: Extremely limited and often full by mid-morning
• Road conditions: Narrow, steep, mostly one-way streets in Sintra’s historic center

🚫 Why I don’t recommend it:

• Traffic heading into Sintra can get really congested, especially on weekends.
• Driving inside Sintra is stressful, the roads are tiny and confusing, and parking is scarce.
• You’ll likely end up wasting time looking for a spot or getting stuck in queues.

Unless you’re staying overnight and your accommodation provides parking, it’s just not worth the hassle, the train is easier, cheaper, and much less stressful.

Getting to Sintra by Tour (A Good Option for Some)

You don’t need to take a guided tour to visit Sintra, especially since getting there by train is so easy. That said, tours can be a great option depending on your travel style and needs.

Here’s when a tour might make sense:

• You don’t want to navigate public transportation
• You prefer having a knowledgeable guide share insights along the way
• You want to combine Sintra with other stops like Cabo da Roca or Cascais, which are hard to reach together by public transport
• You’re not a confident walker, Sintra is very hilly, and the attractions are quite spread out

Some tours even include hotel pickup and flexible pacing, which is great if you’re short on time or prefer a more relaxed experience.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability of a private tour with hotel pick-up!

💡 What to know before booking:

• Most tours don’t include attraction entry tickets, which actually gives you more flexibility to choose what’s worth seeing for you.
• Combo tours (Sintra + Cascais) let you see more in a day, but they can feel a bit rushed.

How to Get Around Sintra

Sintra is magical, but it’s also very hilly and spread out, with steep roads and long distances between attractions. Thankfully, there are several easy (and fun) ways to get around, whether you want to explore on your own or save your legs. Here are your main options:

Tourist Buses (Routes 434 & 435)

These are the most straightforward options for getting between Sintra’s top sights. They depart directly from the Sintra train station.

• Bus 434 takes you to Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, Sintra Center, and the National Palace.
• Bus 435 runs to Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace, plus the central stops.

You buy tickets directly from the driver on the bus. They’ll try to sell a full-day ticket, but I recommend to get a single ticket to Pena Palace and to make the way back on foot.

I’ve included a map image below so you can check the route and stops in more detail:

Tuk-Tuks

Tuk-tuks are everywhere in Sintra, and they’re a fun and fast way to get from one attraction to the next. You’ll see them parked outside the train station and near all the main sights.

• If you just want a ride, grab one on the spot like you would a taxi.
• If you want a guided tour with historical insights and a more curated route, you can also book a tuk-tuk in advance online. This is a great option if you want a knowledgeable local driver.

🛺 Book a highly rated TukTuk tour in advance!

Tourist Train

The tourist train is a guided 45-minute loop that starts and ends near the train station (Avenida Dr. Miguel Bombarda). It passes by the main sights and stops three times:

• São Pedro
• Pena Park entrance
• Sintra Historic Centre

🕒 Departure times: 10:30, 11:45, 13:00, 14:15, 15:30, 16:45

Walking (Great If You Skip the Uphill Part)

I walked a lot on my day trip to Sintra and while it was definitely tiring, it was also peaceful. You’ll find wooded shortcuts, quiet paths, and views you’d miss from the road.

If you’re reasonably fit, I recommend taking a bus or tuk-tuk up to Pena Palace, then walking downhill and stopping at the other attractions. This way you skip the toughest uphill section while still getting to enjoy Sintra’s quieter, more natural side on foot.

FAQ: Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

Final Thoughts: Visiting Sintra from Lisbon

Sintra makes for an unforgettable day trip from Lisbon, it’s close, easy to reach, and feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different world. With fairytale palaces, forested hills, and incredible views, it’s one of those places that lives up to the hype.

That said, it’s also one of the busiest day trips you can take, especially in peak season. If you’re looking for something a little less crowded (but just as easy to reach), you might want to explore a few alternative destinations too.

👉 Have a look at my guide to the best day trips from Lisbon, it’s full of other amazing places worth adding to your itinerary.

Read more about Lisbon:

• Where to Stay in Lisbon: Best Areas & Hotels
• Top 10 Things to Do in Lisbon for First Time Visitors
• 11 Amazing Free Things to Do in Lisbon (And What to Skip)
• 10 Hidden Gems in Lisbon You Need to Visit
• 13 Best Viewpoints in Lisbon: Honest Guide for Every View
• Street Art in Lisbon: Best Areas + My Favourite Finds
• Is the Lisbon Card Worth It? Use This Calculator to Check
• One Day In Lisbon Portugal: Perfect Itinerary
• Epic Two Days In Lisbon: Ultimate Itinerary
• São Jorge Castle in Lisbon: My Honest Review After 2 Visits
• Cristo Rei in Lisbon: How to Get There + Is It Worth It
• National Pantheon in Lisbon: Is It Worth Visiting?
• LX Factory Lisbon: Best Place for Unique Shops & Street Art
• Lisbon Pink Street: Not Worth It & Where to Go Instead
• 11 Incredible Day Trips From Lisbon Portugal
• Perfect Sintra Day Trip From Lisbon: Itinerary + Tips

Pin it for later: