How to Get from Lisbon to Sintra

The distance from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the historic resort town of Sintra is about 18 miles (29 km). Sintra is part of the Greater Lisbon Region, and is therefore quick and easy to reach.

Most people travel to Sintra by commuter train, a journey of about 45 minutes. Trains connect with the Lisbon Metro in the city center, and near the airport.

You can also reach Sintra by rental car or private transfer. If you choose to self-drive, keep in mind that roads in Sintra are steep and narrow, and parking is limited. There are no direct bus routes from Lisbon to Sintra.

Sintra is the perfect day trip from Lisbon. If you want to experience Lisbon, plus the regional highlights like Sintra and Cascais, you can do it all with this four-day itinerary.

By Train

Duration: 45 minutes

There are multiple ways to connect directly to the Sintra commuter train from the Lisbon Metro.

One possibility is taking the Linha de Sintra (Sintra Line) from Rossio Station in Lisbon’s historic center. The train from Rossio to Sintra takes about 40 minutes, with several stops along the way.

Another option is connecting to the Linha de Sintra/Azambuja (Sintra/Azambuja Line) at Oriente Station. Oriente Station is three stops away from Lisbon Airport on the airport line (red line) of the Lisbon Metro. Trains leave frequently, and take about 50 minutes to arrive in Sintra.   

By Private Transfer or Rental Car

Duration: 30 minutes

Private transfers can be booked to take you from Lisbon to Sintra, or you could rent a car from one of the many major rental companies in Lisbon.

The drive to Sintra typically takes about 30 minutes. Roads can sometimes be congested, so try to avoid the evening rush hour.

The toll system in Portugal is complex, and many highways only offer electronic toll payment. You can avoid the tolls on the way to Sintra by taking highway A37 instead of highway A16.

If you are planning on renting a car and taking toll roads during your trip to Portugal, note that many rental cars come preinstalled with a ViaVerde pass. Be sure to ask your rental car company how they manage tolls. If your car does not have a pass, you have the option of using the EASYToll, TOLLCard, or TOLLService systems to pay electronic-only tolls.