Sintra is one of the most magical towns I’ve ever visited and a lot of people I know missed this stunning day trip from Lisbon. Luckily, getting to Sintra from Lisbon is super easy and very affordable! You can get rent a car, but you may need to have an international driver’s license for Portugal, or you can take public transit. No matter where you’re staying in Lisbon, or if you’re just flying into the country, it’s an effortless trip from Sintra to Lisbon.
WHAT MAKES SINTRA AN EPIC DAY (or WEEKEND) TRIP?
Sintra is just one of those towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped off the train right into a fairytale. Sintra’s old town is filled with pastel-colored shops and homes. Shops offer up samples of Port wine, pastries and other souvenirs. Tuk-tuk drivers line the streets offering to drive you to one of the four castles/mansions in the city. The whole town is situated up and down a small mountain range and the castles are perched atop different peaks. You can stroll through the palace gardens and churches. Plus, from the top of certain castles you can see all the way to the ocean on clear days. It’s a town that’s not to be missed.
GETTING TO SINTRA FROM LISBON’S AIRPORT
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO SINTRA FROM LISBON
This is how we got to Sintra from Lisbon. It was quick + easy to figure out and it was amazingly affordable! Plus, you get to Sintra from Lisbon in 2 stops. That’s it! The train ride is approximately 40 minutes long, which isn’t too bad since Sintra is 25 km away. The first step is when you’re exiting the airport turn right and that will take you to the metro.
At the metro you’ll get your ticket for the first leg of your journey. You purchase a metro ticket to Oriente Station [€1.45]. These kiosk machines only accept a card with a pin or cash, so be sure you have one of these ready for purchasing your ticket. Your onward journey from Oriente station will be €2.25 and takes you directly to Sintra. It’s the last stop on the train. The trains are located on the very top of the train station, so just keep taking the escalators or stairs up to the top. Just so you know, the return ticket to Lisbon costs €4.50 per person. That’s a grand total of less than $10 per person round trip. That’s so reasonable for transportation costs, I think.
PRO TIP: Purchase the the Viva Viagem card. It’s only €0.50, is reusable and you can just load an amount on to the card and continue using until it needs a top-off. They work on metros, trains, buses and trams in Lisbon (and to and from Sintra). If you use the Viva Viagem card you can put €10 on it at the beginning and not have to worry about tickets again until you’re back in Lisbon. Plus, it’s cheaper to use these than buying your tickets while in transit.
SINTRA FROM LISBON USING UBER
Uber is my preference as far as Uber vs. Taxi. To get from Lisbon’s Airport to Sintra’s Center it would cost between €20 – €40, depending on the time of day. This would be a great option if you wanted to get there super conveniently or you had a few people with you to offset the cost. Remember, if you’re traveling in peak season or during rush hour, the traffic between Sintra is terrible. Because of that, it could be just as fast or faster to still take the public transport. My preference is to take public transport. It helps familiarize you with the transport system + I have this affinity for train travel.
GETTING TO SINTRA FROM LISBON’S OLD TOWN
You can get to Oriente Station from Old Town fairly easily on the metro. From there it’s just a one shot ride. This is the station more commonly used by locals, so it’s busier around rush hour, but slows down during the day.
The other station that will take you directly to Sintra is Rossio Station. This station is more often used by tourists and is therefore busier. If you want to get there a bit quicker or have less of a queue, I would recommend going from Oriente.
You can check train times and metros to these stations on the CP Website HERE.
NOW ALL THAT’S LEFT IS TO ENJOY YOUR TIME IN SINTRA!
Sintra is wonderful for a day trip, a weekend trip or longer. We loved exploring Sintra’s four stunning castles. The quaint town is sure to steal your heart. While the town itself is amazing and worth visiting, I’ve heard that its beaches and coastal areas are unreal and absolutely worth visiting as well (just an excuse for us to go back). However, to do this, I would highly recommend renting a car.
HELPFUL TIP: Where we stayed in Sintra: Serra e Mar, just outside Sintra. It’s quiet, comfy and our hosts were unbelievable.
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