Cascais is located on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, about 30km west of Lisbon. A former royal seaside resort lined with beaches and lively alleyways, the town’s charm lies in its blend of history, culture and maritime life. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Portuguese Riviera.
Here we share all the practical options for getting to Cascais, whether you arrive by plane, train or car.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Cascais
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Cascais is 30km west of Lisbon
- By train from Cais do Sodré station (Lisbon): ~40min, frequent departures
- By car from Lisbon: ~40min on the A5 freeway
- From Lisbon airport: allow 1h to 1h15 by combining metro and train, or ~50min by car
- From Sintra: ~30min by car
- From Porto: ~3h by car or ~4h30 by train via Lisbon
- From Faro: ~3h by car or ~5h by train via Lisbon
- No airport at Cascais: all international flights transit via Lisbon airport – see flight times
- Full-day excursions from Lisbon
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Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Where is Cascais and map
Cascais flourishes on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. The town backs onto the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, whose cliffs and forests contrast with the indented coastline of beaches and coves. This position gives it a dual appeal: a lively seafront on one side, and a natural, unspoilt hinterland on the other.
Here are distances and travel times from the main cities:
- Lisbon – Cascais: 30km, ~40min
- Sintra – Cascais: 17km, ~30min
- Setúbal – Cascais: 75km, ~1h
- Porto – Cascais: 315km, ~3h
- Faro – Cascais: 295km, ~3h
Good to know: in summer, the road between Lisbon and Cascais (A5) can be congested, especially on Friday evenings and weekends. We recommend anticipating your departure and allowing a little extra time.
Day trip from Lisbon
Lisbon is the most natural starting point for Cascais. The two cities are very well connected, both by train and by car. We detail each option below.
By train
The train is the easiest and cheapest way to reach Cascais from Lisbon. The Comboios de Portugal line links Cais do Sodré station, on the banks of the Tagus, with Cascais station, directly and without connections. We particularly like this option, as it runs along the coast and offers lovely views of the Tagus estuary and then the ocean. Departures are frequent, every 20 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day.
- Duration: ~40min
- Cost: approx. €2.50 one way per person
- Frequency: every 20 to 30min
- Opening hours: from approx. 5.30 a.m. to midnight
- The line departs only from Cais do Sodré (not from Oriente or Santa Apolónia).
- Check the latest timetables on the official CP website
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Portugal
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
By car
The car offers greater flexibility, especially if you want to explore the area around Cascais: the wild coast to Boca do Inferno, the beaches of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park or Sintra. From central Lisbon, take the A5 freeway towards Cascais. The route is well signposted and presents no particular difficulties. However, we recommend avoiding the trip on Friday evenings and at weekends during the high season, when traffic can make the journey considerably longer.
- Duration: ~40min outside peak hours
- Freeway: A5 from Lisbon
- Pay parking in the town center: several parking lots near the marina and the racecourse. Bring change, as some ticket machines do not accept credit cards.
- Compare and book car rentals in Portugal
Guided tour from Lisbon
The guided tour is an excellent solution if you want to visit Cascais without worrying about logistics. A local guide accompanies you to the main sites, providing historical and cultural context throughout the day. We find this formula particularly suitable for travelers who have only one day on site. Some excursions combine Cascais with Sintra and Cabo da Roca for a full day on the Atlantic coast.
See all excursions available from Lisbon.
WHERE TO STAY IN Cascais
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Our selection coming soon
Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection coming soon
Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection coming soon
Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Cascais (coming soon)
From Lisbon airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport is about 40km from Cascais. There are several options for reaching the city directly from the airport.
By public transport
The most economical solution is to combine metro and train. From the airport, take the metro’s Red line to São Sebastião station, then change to the Green line to Cais do Sodré. From here, go to the Cascais railroad platform to catch the direct train. The route is well signposted and connections remain accessible, even with luggage.
- Total duration: 1h to 1h15
- Cost: approx. €4-5 each way (metro + train)
- Buy a rechargeable travel pass (Viva Viagem) directly at the airport kiosks or, if you’re staying a few days in Lisbon, opt for the Lisboa Card, which gives you access to the metro and many museums for 1 to 3 days.
- Allow a little extra time with bulky luggage
By rental car
Picking up a car directly from the airport is convenient if Cascais is only the first stop on your trip to Portugal, or if you want to drive along the coast to the wild beaches of the Sintra-Cascais Park. International agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar) all have counters near the arrivals hall. We recommend booking in advance, especially in July and August, to guarantee vehicle availability and obtain better rates.
- Duration: ~50min from airport
- Itinerary: A5 towards Cascais
- Compare and book car rentals in Portugal
A LITTLE MORE patience
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By cab or private transfer
A private transfer from the airport to Cascais is a comfortable option, particularly appreciated after a long flight. The rate is per vehicle, not per person, making it particularly attractive for groups or families.
- Duration: ~50min
- Approximate cost: €60-90 per vehicle
- View Lisbon airport transfer options
By plane: flights to Lisbon
Cascais has no airport. All air travellers pass through Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado International Airport (IATA code: LIS), some 50 km away. Lisbon is very well served from Europe and the rest of the world, with direct flights from many cities.
Main flight connections to Lisbon (LIS)
- From France: Paris (CDG and Orly), Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Marseille, Toulouse (TAP Air Portugal, Air France, easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair)
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (TAP, Swiss, easyJet)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Zaventem and Brussels-Charleroi (TAP, Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, TUI fly)
- From Canada: Montreal and Toronto (TAP Air Portugal) – direct flights
- From the UK: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TAP)
- From Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf (Lufthansa, TAP, Ryanair)
Flights to Lisbon are available all year round. The offer is wider between April and October, with higher frequencies and sometimes more affordable off-season prices.
Compare available flights to Lisbon.
DISCOVER Cascais
From other towns in Portugal
From Sintra
Sintra and Cascais are two destinations often combined in the same holiday. The two towns are linked by a scenic road through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. By car, the journey is pleasant and takes about 30min. By public transport, a change in Lisbon is necessary, which makes the journey considerably longer. We therefore recommend a car for this trip, to make the most of it.
- By car: ~30min on the N247
- By cab: a comfortable way to avoid driving
- See excursions combining Cascais and Sintra
From Porto
Porto is about 315km from Cascais. The journey by car takes around 3 hours on the A1 freeway. By train, you must first reach Lisbon (approx. 3 hours), then change stations to reach Cais do Sodré and take the train to Cascais. We recommend this combination as part of a multi-day trip to Portugal, with a stopover in Lisbon.
- By car: ~3h via A1
- By train: Porto – Lisbon (~3h) + Lisbon Cais do Sodré – Cascais (~40min)
- Rent a car in Portugal for more freedom
From the Algarve (Faro)
From Faro and the Algarve region, Cascais is around 295km, a 3-hour drive via the A2 and then the A5. The train journey requires a change in Lisbon and takes around 4h30 in total. This option makes sense as part of a Portugal tour, combining the two regions.
- By car: ~3h via the A2 and A5 motorways
- By train: Faro – Lisbon + connection at Cais do Sodré (~4h30 total)
Getting around Cascais once you’re here
Cascais is a town on a human scale, with the city center within easy walking distance. The main attractions are concentrated in a small area around the marina and waterfront. For more remote sites, such as Boca do Inferno or Praia do Guincho, other options are available. However, if you want to explore the wilder beaches of Cascais, we think you’ll need a car.
On foot
Most of the center’s sights – the Citadel, Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, Casa Santa Maria, urban beaches and marina – are within walking distance of the station. The terrain is generally flat, making for easy walking. Boca do Inferno is about 2km west of the center, and can also be reached on foot along the waterfront.
By bike
Cascais has a well-developed network of cycle paths. Bicycles are available for hire at several points in the city center, at affordable rates. We particularly like this option for reaching Boca do Inferno or following the coast towards Guincho, on a panoramic path facing the Atlantic. Electric bikes are also available for longer trips.
- Rentals available downtown and near the train station
- Cycle path to Boca do Inferno and beyond to Guincho
- See rental options here
By bus
The local “Buscas” bus network serves Cascais and the surrounding area. It’s a good option for getting to Praia do Guincho or other beaches a little further from the center without having to drive.
By cab
Cabs are available in the city center and at the train station. They are still more expensive than bus or bike, but are well suited to occasional or group travel, especially to remote beaches.
By car
If you want to get out of the city center and explore the coast and its beautiful wild beaches or the hinterland, a car is the best way to get around. Compare and book car rentals here.
Parking in Cascais
If you arrive by car, parking in the city center is not always easy, especially in high season. Several pay parking lots are available near the marina and racecourse. Parking in the center of town is also subject to a fee: remember to bring some change, as some parking meters do not accept credit cards. We were surprised by this constraint during our visit.
And once in Cascais…
Once in Cascais, there’s plenty to discover. We recommend the marina, the Citadel, the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, the Casa Santa Maria and the Santa Marta Lighthouse are among the must-sees in the center. The Praia do Guincho, the cliffs of Boca do Inferno and the urban beaches of Praia da Rainha and Praia da Duquesa are also well worth a visit.
- See our article on the best things to do and see in Cascais
- See our recommendations for hotels and areas to stay in Cascais
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Portugal
- Best of
Things to do in Portugal (coming soon)
Most beautiful landscapes (coming soon)
Most beautiful towns and villages (coming soon)
Portugal’s most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Portugal (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
Itineraries (coming soon)
Where to stay in Portugal (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Things to do in Lisbon (coming soon)
Things to do in the Algarve
Things to do in Porto (coming soon)
Things to do in Sintra (coming soon)
