Sintra is located in the Lisbon region, about 30km northwest of the Portuguese capital. Once the summer residence of royalty, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to palaces, parks and remarkable gardens.
Here we share all the practical options for getting there, 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 Sintra
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Sintra is 30km northwest of Lisbon
- By train from Rossio station (Lisbon): ~40min, frequent departures
- By car from Lisbon: ~45min on the A16 or A37 freeways
- From Lisbon airport: allow 1h to 1h15 by combining metro and train, or ~50min by car
- From Cascais: ~30min by car
- From Porto: ~3h by car or 4h30 by train via Lisbon
- From Faro: ~3h by car or 5h30 by train via Lisbon
- No airport at Sintra: all international flights transit Lisbon airport – see flight schedules
- Day trips from Lisbon possible
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Where is Sintra and map
Sintra occupies the foothills of the Serra de Sintra, a chain of wooded hills overlooking the Atlantic coast. The city enjoys a special microclimate: wetter and cooler than Lisbon, which explains the lush vegetation in its parks and gardens. This geographical position gives it a dual appeal, between sea and mountains, just a few kilometers from Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the European continent.
Here are distances and travel times from the main cities:
- Lisbon – Sintra: 30km, ~40min
- Cascais – Sintra: 17km, ~30min
- Setúbal – Sintra: 75km, ~1h
- Porto – Sintra: 310km, ~3h
- Faro – Sintra: 290km, ~3h
Good to know: in summer, the roads around Sintra can be congested, especially at weekends. We advise you to plan ahead and allow a little extra time.
Day trip from Lisbon
Lisbon is the most natural starting point for reaching Sintra. 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 Sintra from Lisbon. The Comboios de Portugal line links Rossio Station, in the heart of Lisbon, with Sintra Station, directly and without connections. We particularly like this option, as it avoids the difficulties of parking in town. Departures are frequent, every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day.
- Duration: ~40min
- Cost: approx. €2.50 one way per person
- Frequency: every 15 to 30 minutes
- Opening hours: from approx. 5.30 a.m. to midnight
- Sintra station is only served from Rossio station (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.
By car
The car offers greater flexibility, especially if you want to explore the area around Sintra, such as Cape Cabo da Roca, the beaches of the Atlantic coast and Cascais. From central Lisbon, take the A37 freeway, then the IC19 towards Sintra. The route is well signposted and presents no particular difficulties. However, we recommend avoiding the trip at weekends during the high season, when traffic jams can considerably lengthen the journey.
- Duration: ~40min outside peak hours
- Freeway: A16 or IC19 from Lisbon
- Limited parking in the city center: bring change for street parking, for example on Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes (credit cards not accepted).
- For sites such as the Palacio de Pena and the Quinta da Regaleira, we recommend leaving your car in town and taking the bus or a tuk-tuk, as it’s not possible to park in front of these sites and you have to walk on steep ground to reach them.
- Compare and book car rentals in Portugal
Guided tour from Lisbon
A guided tour is an excellent solution if you want to visit Sintra 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 tours combine Sintra with Cabo da Roca and Cascais for a full day.
See all excursions available from Lisbon.
WHERE TO STAY IN Sintra
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In downtown Sintra, with easy access to the palaces –
Hotel Sintra Jardim – Check photos and availability
In the Sintra countryside, in the natural park—
Penha Longa Resort Hotel – Check photos and availability
By the sea, a little further on—
Hotel Arribas Sintra – Check photos and availability
From Lisbon airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport is about 35km from Sintra. There are several options for reaching Sintra 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 Blue line to Restauradores or Rossio station. From here, head for Rossio Station to catch the direct train to Sintra. The route is simple once you understand it, and connections are well signposted.
- 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 in Lisbon for a few days, take 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 Sintra is only the first stage of your stay in Portugal. 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: A8 then IC19 or A16 towards Sintra
- Compare and book car rentals in Portugal
By cab or private transfer
A private transfer from the airport to Sintra 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
Sintra 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.
From other towns in Portugal
From Cascais
Cascais and Sintra are two destinations often combined in the same holiday. The two towns are linked by a panoramic road that runs along the Serra de Sintra. By car, the journey is pleasant and takes about 30min. By public transport, you’ll need to make a change in Lisbon, which will make the journey longer. We therefore recommend a car or cab for this journey.
- 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 310km from Sintra. The journey by car takes around 3 hours on the A1 freeway. By train, you first need to get to Lisbon (about 3 hours), then take the connection at Gare do Rossio to Sintra. We recommend this option 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 – Sintra (~40min)
- Rent a car in Portugal for more freedom
From the Algarve (Faro)
From Faro and the Algarve region, Sintra is around 290km, or a 3-hour drive via the A2 and then the A1. The train journey requires a change in Lisbon and takes around 4 hours in total. This option makes sense as part of a Portugal tour, combining the two regions.
- By car: ~3h via the A2 and A1 motorways
- By train: Faro – Lisbon + connection at Rossio (~4h total)
Getting around Sintra once you’re here
Sintra is a sprawling town whose main attractions are spread over several hills. We advise you not to rely solely on walking to reach the palaces, as the gradients are considerable. Here are the options available on site.
By bus
Two tourist bus routes serve the main sites from the city center. Line 434 runs from Sintra station to Pena Palace, via the Moorish Castle and Villa Sassetti. Line 435 covers the other palaces, including Monserrate and Quinta da Regaleira. In our opinion, this is the most practical and economical solution for visiting sites at height.
- Bus 434: Station – Château des Maures – Palais de Pena
- Bus 435: Station – Quinta da Regaleira – Monserrate Palace
- Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or at the main stops, bring change.
- In high season, queues can be long, so allow plenty of time.
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By tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuks are ubiquitous in Sintra. They offer a fun alternative to buses, allowing you to reach the sites at your own pace, sometimes with a commentary from the driver. We recommend that you ask for the price before climbing, as rates vary from one provider to another. Bring plenty of liquid.
By electric bike or scooter
Rental points for electric bikes and scooters are available in the city center. This option is ideal for travelers who want to explore the surrounding area at their own pace, including the beaches and scenic routes to Cabo da Roca. We recommend booking in advance, as stocks are quickly depleted in high season.
By cab
Cabs are available at the station and in the city center. They are still more expensive than bus or tuk-tuk, but are a good solution for one-off or group trips.
Parking in Sintra
If you’re arriving by car, be aware that parking in the city center is limited, especially in high season. The Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes parking lot is close to the center, but does not accept credit cards. The Portela Norte parking lot is a slightly more remote alternative, often less busy. For sites such as Pena Palace or Quinta da Regaleira, we recommend leaving the car in town and taking the bus or tuk-tuk.
And once in Sintra…
Once in Sintra, there’s plenty to discover. The Pena National Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish Castle and the Palace of Monserrate are just some of the highlights. The wild beaches of the Atlantic coast, such as Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga, are also well worth a visit.
- See our article on the best things to do and see in Sintra
- See our recommendations for hotels and places to stay in Sintra
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