![\"how](\"https:\/\/portugallovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/how-to-get-to-sintra-portugal.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n If you don’t want to read the whole article:<\/p>\n\n It’s time to book! 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.<\/p>\n\n Here are distances and travel times from the main cities:<\/p>\n\n Good to know:<\/strong> in summer, the roads around Sintra can be congested, especially at weekends. We advise you to plan ahead and allow a little extra time.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n Read our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n See all excursions available from Lisbon.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In downtown Sintra, with easy access to the palaces – In the Sintra countryside, in the natural park\u2014 By the sea, a little further on\u2014 See our complete selection of the best hotels in Sintra<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport is about 35km from Sintra. There are several options for reaching Sintra directly from the airport.<\/p>\n\n The most economical solution is to combine metro and train. From the airport, take the metro’s Red line to S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n Compare available flights to Lisbon.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n Two tourist bus routes serve the main sites from the city center. Line 434 runs from Sintra station to Pena Palace<\/a>, via the Moorish Castle and Villa Sassetti. Line 435 covers the other palaces, including Monserrate and Quinta da Regaleira<\/a>. In our opinion, this is the most practical and economical solution for visiting sites at height.<\/p>\n\nSummary: How to get to Sintra<\/h2>\n\n
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![\"portugal](\"https:\/\/portugallovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/portugal-plane.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhere is Sintra and map<\/h2>\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Town\/i-Db7Dxvx\/0\/KvshkFcFFM2XhCvpVKgpxRMWd9wXgpxfRwD24z2ZB\/L\/sintra-ville-vue-depuis-palais-L.jpg\")
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![\"road](\"https:\/\/portugallovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/map-how-to-get-to-sintra-portugal-1024x683.png\")
Day trip from Lisbon<\/h2>\n\n
By train<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Sintra](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Town\/i-SQgDmqZ\/0\/Lcd3mNjNVv2WjcSpMNPghNXHWHgm7nNkGSmjRGbZn\/L\/sintra-gare-L.jpg\")
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OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Portugal<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"driving](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Alentejo\/Drive-to-Monsaraz\/i-FSp7zR9\/1\/KM9CSqcTv9RvpgScjMPvDQZHt7sjJ9sbXqjD47JzQ\/S\/Portugal_IMG_4161-S.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBy car<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Arrival](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Town\/i-vnctm5W\/0\/MhD69JRZPhrCZqPRVTGjkmzFhBtR27pLK887PxSNh\/L\/sintra-route-L.jpg\")
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Guided tour from Lisbon<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Pena](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Pena-Palace\/i-chGqrWP\/1\/M7mtt7WtNKfkQJLgLsVQ6rr2HmKwGk7gfhVjP6FZP\/L\/Pena_Palace_Sintra_Portugal_IMG_0181-L.jpg\")
WHERE TO STAY IN Sintra<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Rosegarden](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/H%C3%B4tels\/Hotel-Rosegarden-House\/i-PvDPjZG\/0\/LZmmsKDhMjzs5Qbq4DbbVq4cKHffT5ZG6nG2tz3fm\/L\/sintra-hotel-rosegarden-house-chambre-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nFrom Lisbon airport<\/h2>\n\n
By public transport<\/h3>\n\n
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By rental car<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Street](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Town\/i-W5MHLZH\/0\/Ld3q5738RffSJBkDL96zHPtzZtKHJBZgqz95K9Gfh\/L\/Portugal_IMG_0325-L.jpg\")
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![\"inpost](\"https:\/\/portugallovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/inpost-box-Portugal-Lovers-EN.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\nBy cab or private transfer<\/h3>\n\n
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By plane: flights to Lisbon<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Lisbon](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Lisboa\/Aéroport\/i-pLZz3Gw\/0\/MgRjvBK93wK5Jv3wCmN4G6TCwkNTgbs2cKCM2jLXN\/L\/lisbonne-aeroport-entree-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nMain flight connections to Lisbon (LIS)<\/h3>\n\n
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DISCOVER Sintra<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\nFrom other towns in Portugal<\/h2>\n\n
From Cascais<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Cascais,](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Cascais\/Casa-Santa-Maria\/i-9n9CtXL\/0\/MgrJ5cdDQv8LKLW8v3BPpGFhgDSVDBPfwQQ889f\/L\/portugal-cascais-casa-santa-maria-phare-crique-L.jpg\")
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From Porto<\/h3>\n\n
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From the Algarve (Faro)<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Faro\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Algarve\/Faro\/Ville\/i-vd9h6Qr\/1\/NCqZBWdm258VZQqnt89GvrK5WQxgXZjmDxNMkDcJB\/L\/faro-old-town-city-52-L.jpg\")
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Getting around Sintra once you’re here<\/h2>\n\n
By bus<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Bus](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Portugal\/Sintra-Cascais\/Sintra\/Town\/i-sCL8QMJ\/0\/Lf85BzHbcsps4fXgrGm8JSX2GMJC7srbK6Lcp6rLp\/L\/sintra-bus-434-L.jpg\")
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