- ~40 minRossio to Sintra, no changes
- €2.05Per journey with zapping credit
- €2.55Single ticket
- €0.50The Navegante card itself
- SintraGet off at the last stop
Take the Direct CP Train from Rossio
Take the direct CP train from Lisbon Rossio to Sintra. It takes about 40 minutes with no changes and costs €2.05 each way using zapping credit on a Navegante card (one card per person, validated before you board), or €2.55 for a single ticket. Start from Oriente (about 47 minutes) if you're coming from the airport or east Lisbon. Get off at Sintra, the last stop, not Portela de Sintra. Load your card the day before, aim to leave before 09:00 and check cp.pt for strikes. If you'd rather leave the trains and buses to someone else, the Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca and Cascais day tour starts at $27 and is rated 4.7/5 from 24,792 reviews.
There's something fitting about starting a Sintra day trip at Rossio station. Built in 1886 to 1890 and still carved with its original name, Estação Central, it looks more like a palace than a railway terminus: a neo-Manueline façade with twin horseshoe-arched doorways and a clock turret, just off Rossio Square. The platforms sit about 30 metres above the street, and the trains dive straight into a 2.6 km tunnel under the city.
Forty minutes later you're in Sintra. The train is the cheapest way there and, on most days, the quickest. It's also simple once you know four things: which station, which ticket, which train and which stop. This guide covers all of them, plus what to do when you arrive.
Lisbon to Sintra by Train at a Glance
| Operator | CP, Comboios de Portugal (the Sintra line on Lisbon's urban network) |
|---|---|
| Main departure station | Lisbon Rossio (also Oriente, Entrecampos and Sete Rios) |
| Journey time | About 40 minutes from Rossio, about 47 minutes from Oriente |
| Distance | Roughly 27 km by rail from Rossio |
| Changes | None on direct trains (avoid trains ending at Mira Sintra-Meleças) |
| Frequency | Roughly every 20 to 30 minutes through the day; less often early, late and at weekends |
| First and last trains (weekdays) | From around 6am until after midnight; the last train back from Sintra has been leaving around 00:20 |
| Fare | €2.05 a journey with zapping credit, €2.55 single; the Navegante card itself costs €0.50 |
| Seat reservations | None. Just turn up. |
| Get off at | Sintra, the final stop |
Fares from CP's Lisbon urban price list (January 2026). Departure times change with the day and with engineering works, so check the CP app or cp.pt on the day you travel.
Rossio or Oriente: Which Station Should You Use?
For most visitors, Rossio is best. Both lines run direct to Sintra, and the fare is the same from any Lisbon station.
| Station | Best for | Journey time | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rossio (our pick) | Hotels in Baixa, Chiado, Alfama and on the Avenida | ~40 min | Central, the terminus so you'll usually get a seat, and the shortest ride |
| Oriente | Arriving from the airport (three metro stops), Parque das Nações, long-distance trains | ~47 min | A big transport hub on the metro's red line |
| Entrecampos / Sete Rios | Hotels in the Avenidas Novas; the Sete Rios coach terminal | ~35–45 min | Handy boarding points along the route |
Two traps to avoid. First, don't board trains to "Mira Sintra-Meleças": they stop short of Sintra, so check the destination board says Sintra. Second, don't get off at "Portela de Sintra". It's the stop before the end, about 1 km from the main station. Stay on until Sintra, the terminus, which is closest to the historic centre and the bus 434 stop.
Other Sintra Experiences You Might Enjoy
Arriving by train, travellers often add a Pena Palace entry ticket with a timed slot, a tuk-tuk ride from Sintra station up to the Moorish Castle, a guided visit to Quinta da Regaleira and the Initiation Well, or a coast trip on to Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Browse the live options below.
Which Ticket Do You Need for the Sintra Train?
The cheapest and easiest option is zapping credit on a Navegante Occasional card. CP now calls the card Navegante; older guides still call it Viva Viagem.
| Ticket | Price | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navegante (formerly Viva Viagem) card with zapping credit | €2.05 a journey, plus €0.50 for the card | Almost everyone | Each train journey deducts a fixed fare that's cheaper than a single ticket. The credit also works on Lisbon's metro and buses. |
| Single or return ticket | €2.55 single, €5.10 return; €1.30 for children aged 4 to 12 | One-off trips | Costs more per journey than zapping. A return saves nothing over two singles. |
| 24-hour Carris/Metro/CP ticket | €11.40 | Heavy-use days in Lisbon and Sintra | Covers trains, metro, buses, trams and lifts; only good value if you'll ride a lot |
| CP Tourist Ticket | €6.70 for 1 day, €14.40 for 3 days | Several CP train trips | Covers CP urban trains only |
| Lisboa Card | Varies | Museum-heavy Lisbon stays | Card sellers say it includes CP trains to Sintra; the official page only mentions free transport in Lisbon, so check the terms |
| Train & Bus (CP plus buses 434 and 435) | €14 when available | None for now | CP lists it as temporarily suspended. Don't count on it. |
Prices and ticket status from CP's January 2026 price list and its Train & Bus page, checked October 2026. Check current fares on cp.pt.
How zapping works, step by step
- Buy a Navegante Occasional card, one per person and reusable for a year, at a metro station or a CP machine or ticket office.
- Top it up with zapping credit. CP sells top-ups from a few euros up to €40.
- Tap the validator before you board. This step is essential: fines for travelling without a validated ticket run into the hundreds of euros.
- Tap in at Sintra on the way back for the return journey.
Rules to know
- One card per person. Two people can't share a card.
- One product per card. If you also want a 24-hour pass or metro tickets, you may need a second card.
- Each zapping journey is valid for 90 minutes, plus time to exit.
- Keep your top-up receipt.
Load your card the evening before at any metro station or CP machine. Rossio's ticket machines get long queues between about 10:00 and midday.
Can I pay by contactless bank card?
Not on CP trains yet. A national agreement to accept contactless bank cards on Lisbon's transport was signed on 30 September 2026, but no start date had been set by late October. Lisbon's metro already accepts contactless, but for the Sintra train you still need a Navegante card. Check before you travel.
When Should You Take the Train?
Getting to Pena on time
Your Pena Palace slot is for the palace door, uphill from the park gate, and Pena allows no lateness. Work backwards from your slot:
| Pena palace slot | Catch a Rossio train by about |
|---|---|
| 09:30 (opening) | 07:30 |
| 10:00 | 08:00 |
| 11:00 | 09:00 |
| An afternoon slot | Late morning, then explore the town first |
Allow about 40 minutes on the train, 15 to 30 minutes for bus 434 (queue and ride) and about 30 minutes from the park gate to the palace. How the timed entry works is in our Pena Palace tickets guide for 2026.
Beating the crowds
- Mornings: leave before 09:00 with your card already loaded.
- Avoid arriving at Rossio between 10:00 and midday in summer and at weekends.
- Weekdays are calmer than weekends.
- Coming back: bus 434 and the trains are busiest from about 16:00 to 18:00. Leave by 15:30, or stay for dinner and catch a train after 19:00. If the first train out of Sintra is packed, wait for the next one: Sintra is the terminus, so the next train starts empty.
What Happens When You Arrive at Sintra Station?
Sintra station is a short walk from the historic centre, and the buses up to the palaces stop right outside.
| How | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to the historic centre | Roughly 10 to 15 min | Turn right out of the station and follow the road round the valley past the striking Câmara Municipal (town hall). Signs are poor. |
| Bus 434 (Pena loop) | Stop outside the station | A one-way loop: station, centre, Moorish Castle, Pena and back down. Queues build mid-morning. Scotturb's daily ticket costs €13.50. |
| Bus 435 | Stop outside the station | Towards Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais and Monserrate |
| Bus 1253 (Carris Metropolitana) | Stop outside the station | A circular route via Cabo da Roca |
| Taxi | Rank nearby | Taxis are exempt from the 2026 ride-hail rules |
| Uber or Bolt | Signed "pick & ride" points only | Since 8 July 2026 ride-hail cars may stop only at marked points. The nearest is Largo Dr. Virgílio Horta, by the town hall. |
| Tuk-tuk | Waiting outside | Agree the price before you set off, or book a private tuk-tuk tour around Sintra (4.9/5 from 94 reviews) that meets near the station |
The bus routes, the one-way loop and Sintra's ride-hail rules are covered in our guide to getting around Sintra.
Good to know
- Coffee: Café Cintia, opposite the station, is a popular first stop.
- Luggage: don't count on lockers at the station. There's private luggage storage nearby, including shops opposite the station and storage apps.
- Toilets: you can't rely on the station's. Use cafés, the monuments or the visitor point at the Lourel car park.
Practical Tips for the Sintra Train
Luggage and bikes
Hand luggage that fits on the rack or under the seat travels free; there's no excess-baggage charge on Lisbon's urban trains. Bikes and scooters also travel free on the urban lines, one per passenger, in the marked areas, although staff can refuse them on full trains.
Accessibility
Rossio connects street level to the platforms by escalators, lifts and ramps, and the Rossio metro station (green line) has lifts. Wheelchair and mobility-scooter users should book CP's free SIM assistance service in advance on 808 100 746. We couldn't confirm step-free access at Sintra station, so ask SIM when you book. More in our Sintra accessibility guide.
Safety
The Sintra line is a busy commuter line and generally safe, particularly by day. It passes through some of Lisbon's suburbs. Use normal city sense: keep valuables close in the crowded Rossio queues and on bus 434, and choose a carriage with other passengers in the evening.
Strikes and disruption
CP and Lisbon Metro both had strike days in 2026. A CP strike was called for 30 October 2026, and CP warned of possible disruption on the 29th and 31st. Storms can stop trains too: on 28 January 2026 Storm Kristin brought down trees and suspended Sintra line services, and the hill monuments closed the same day. Engineering works are announced in CP's notices.
Before you go: check cp.pt, under Informação and then Avisos (notices), the evening before. If there's a storm warning, also check parquesdesintra.pt for monument closures.
Plan B on a strike day: a guided tour from Lisbon or an Uber or Bolt gets you there whatever the trains are doing. Compare the options in our best Sintra tours from Lisbon.
Other Ways to Get from Lisbon to Sintra
| Option | Time | Relative cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP train | 40–47 min | € | Best for almost everyone |
| Uber or Bolt | 35–45 min in light traffic | €€€ (surges at peak times) | Good for groups of three or four; return pickups can be hard at busy times |
| Driving | ~40 min outside rush hour | €€ plus parking | Not advised: private cars are banned from the Pena roads and the centre is restricted. If you must drive, park at Lourel (free). |
| Bus from Lisbon | Slower | € | No convenient direct option for visitors |
| Guided tour | Door to door | €€ to €€€€ | Best for adding Cabo da Roca and Cascais the same day; a small-group Sintra, Pena, Cabo and Cascais tour starts at $78 |
Whether the train or a tour suits your day better is the subject of Is a guided Sintra tour worth it, or should you go by train?
Can You Add Cascais to the Same Day?
Yes, but it's a long day.
Train from Lisbon to Sintra
As above, from Rossio or Oriente.
Bus 1624 to Cascais
Carris Metropolitana's bus 1624 runs from Portela de Sintra via Cabo da Roca to Cascais in about an hour, roughly every 30 minutes on weekdays.
Train from Cascais to Cais do Sodré
About 40 minutes along the coast into Lisbon. Your zapping credit works on this train too.
Doing both towns by public transport uses up most of the daylight. A Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais tour fits it in more comfortably: the Sintra, Pena, Cascais and Cabo day tour with tickets ($76, 4.9/5 from 1,954 reviews) includes Pena entry on its ticket options, and Odyssey Tours' Sintra, Pena, Regaleira and Cascais day ($27, 4.8/5 from 12,423 reviews) adds Guincho beach and free time in Cascais. All the combos are compared in Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca in one day.
Sintra Tours That Save You the Trains and Buses
Ratings and review counts as shown on GetYourGuide in October 2026.
Inside Lisbon's small-group Sintra, Cascais and Pena Palace tour is the one we'd compare first if you don't want to deal with Rossio, bus 434 and the Pena slot yourself. It costs $55, includes Pena Park and Palace admission, and is rated 4.8/5 from 3,242 reviews. The small-group Sintra, Pena, Cabo and Cascais tour ($78, 4.8/5 from 5,222 reviews) lets you choose a Pena interior or exterior ticket, or Regaleira instead.
If you like the train but want a guide, the guided tour to Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira by train ($46 with the Regaleira ticket) rides with you from Lisbon. It's rated 4.9/5 but from only 35 reviews, so read the recent ones before you book. Going on your own instead? Book your Pena Palace and Park entrance ticket (4.3/5 from 22,119 reviews) first, then work back to your train.
Lisbon to Sintra Train: Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the train from Lisbon to Sintra?
About 40 minutes from Rossio and about 47 minutes from Oriente, on a direct CP train with no changes.
How much is the train from Lisbon to Sintra?
A single costs €2.55, or €2.05 a journey using zapping credit on a Navegante card, which itself costs €0.50. Children aged 4 to 12 pay €1.30. Fares are from CP's January 2026 price list; check cp.pt before you travel.
Which Lisbon station do trains to Sintra leave from?
Rossio is the main departure station in central Lisbon. Trains also leave from Oriente, Entrecampos and Sete Rios.
Do I need to book the train to Sintra in advance?
No. There are no seat reservations. Buy or load your Navegante card and board.
Can two people share one Navegante card?
No. Each traveller needs their own card.
Can I pay for the Sintra train with a contactless bank card?
Not yet. An agreement to accept contactless bank cards on Lisbon's transport was signed in September 2026, but no start date had been announced by late October. Use a Navegante card.
Is the Train & Bus combined ticket still available?
CP lists it as temporarily suspended. When it runs it costs €14 and covers the train plus buses 434 and 435. For now, buy the train fare and the bus ticket separately.
Which stop do I get off at for Sintra?
Sintra, the last stop. Don't get off at Portela de Sintra, the stop before, which is about 1 km further from the historic centre.
What time is the last train from Sintra to Lisbon?
On weekdays the last train to Rossio has been leaving Sintra at around 00:20. Weekend times can differ, so check the CP app or cp.pt on the day.
What happens if I don't validate my ticket?
You can be fined. Fines for travelling without a valid ticket on Lisbon's urban trains start well above €100. Always tap before you board.
Is the Sintra train safe?
Yes. It's a busy commuter line and generally safe, especially by day. Watch for pickpockets in crowded queues and carriages.
Is the Sintra train included in the Lisboa Card?
Lisboa Card sellers say CP trains to Sintra are included, but the official card page we checked in October 2026 only mentions free transport in Lisbon. Confirm the current terms before you buy.
Are there strikes on the Sintra line?
Occasionally. A CP strike was called for 30 October 2026, with possible disruption the day before and after. Check the notices on cp.pt the evening before you travel.