What is the fastest way from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Sintra?

The fastest option is Pre-booked or rank taxi direct to Sintra (Lisbon licensed taxi operators) with a typical duration of 35 min.

What is the cheapest way from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Sintra?

The cheapest option is Metro Red Line → CP from Oriente (Metropolitano de Lisboa + CP) at approximately €5.50.

Is there a direct train from Lisbon Airport to Sintra?

No. Every train route requires a transfer in Lisbon (Rossio is the most common). The CP Sintra line begins at Rossio or Oriente, not at the airport.

Can I use a Lisboa Card for the Sintra train?

Yes — the Lisboa Card includes unlimited Metro, Aerobus and CP Sintra-line travel. It also covers entry to the Pena Palace and Monastery of Jerónimos.

Is it worth booking a taxi in advance from the airport to Sintra?

Only for late-night arrivals or large groups. During normal hours the rank moves quickly and meter fares are predictable thanks to ANA-published estimates.

Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Sintra: complete transport guide

Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage town 30 km north-west of Lisbon, famous for the Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the Moorish Castle. From Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) there is no direct rail link; every option requires a transfer in central Lisbon. Allow 80–100 minutes for the door-to-door trip.

How do the options compare?

Option	Operator	Duration	Price	Frequency
Metro Red Line → Yellow Line → CP train from Rossio	Metropolitano de Lisboa + CP	85 min	€6.00	CP every 15–20 min
Metro Red Line → CP from Oriente	Metropolitano de Lisboa + CP	90 min	€5.50	CP every 30 min from Oriente
Aerobus to Restauradores + CP train from Rossio	Carris (Aerobus) + CP	95 min	€7.00 (€4 Aerobus + €3 CP)	Aerobus every 20–25 min
Pre-booked or rank taxi direct to Sintra	Lisbon licensed taxi operators	35 min	€50–60	On demand at official rank
Uber / Bolt / FreeNow to Sintra	Uber, Bolt, FreeNow	35–45 min	€35–50	On demand via app

Metro Red Line → Yellow Line → CP train from Rossio?

Take the Metro Red Line from Aeroporto to Saldanha, change to the Yellow Line and ride to Rossio. From Rossio mainline station, catch the suburban CP train to Sintra (40 min, runs every 15–20 minutes). This is the cheapest scheduled option.

Operator: Metropolitano de Lisboa + CP
Duration: 85 min
Price: €6.00
Frequency: CP every 15–20 min
Where to board: Metro Aeroporto station, terminal arrivals
Notes: Buy a Lisboa Viva green ticket for the Metro and load it with zapping credit; CP train requires a separate paper ticket purchased at Rossio.

Source: CP Sintra Line schedule

Metro Red Line → CP from Oriente?

Alternative routing via Oriente station: Metro Red Line to Oriente, then CP urban train toward Mira-Sintra–Meleças or Sintra. Fewer departures than Rossio but only one transfer needed.

Operator: Metropolitano de Lisboa + CP
Duration: 90 min
Price: €5.50
Frequency: CP every 30 min from Oriente
Where to board: Metro Aeroporto
Notes: Useful if you have light luggage and want to skip the steep escalator at Rossio. Check schedule — some Oriente trains terminate before Sintra.

Source: CP Portugal

Aerobus to Restauradores + CP train from Rossio?

Aerobus line 1 stops at Restauradores; walk 5 minutes to Rossio station, then catch the CP Sintra-line train.

Operator: Carris (Aerobus) + CP
Duration: 95 min
Price: €7.00 (€4 Aerobus + €3 CP)
Frequency: Aerobus every 20–25 min
Where to board: Aerobus stop outside terminal arrivals
Notes: Slower than Metro because of city traffic, especially weekday rush hour. Day-pass Aerobus tickets (€4 one-way / €6 return) are cheaper if you also plan to use the bus inside Lisbon.

Source: Aerobus Lisbon

Pre-booked or rank taxi direct to Sintra?

There is no fixed-fare scheme for Sintra; meters run normally on A5/IC19. Expect €50–60 weekday off-peak, more at night and on weekends. Luggage surcharge €1.60 applies.

Operator: Lisbon licensed taxi operators
Duration: 35 min
Price: €50–60
Frequency: On demand at official rank
Where to board: Official taxi rank outside arrivals
Notes: Always confirm the meter is running. The 'bagagem' charge is per piece over 55 cm; ask for the receipt to spot any unjustified add-on.

Source: ANA passenger information

Uber / Bolt / FreeNow to Sintra?

Ride-hail is usually 10–15 % cheaper than the taxi for the same route and avoids language confusion over the meter. Bolt is typically the cheapest, Uber the most consistent on supply.

Operator: Uber, Bolt, FreeNow
Duration: 35–45 min
Price: €35–50
Frequency: On demand via app
Where to board: TVDE pick-up area at terminal arrivals
Notes: Surge pricing kicks in at weekend mornings. Pre-book for an exact ETA — drivers can be slow to respond when far from the airport pickup zone.

When should you pick each option?

Metro + CP via Rossio: Cheapest, most reliable; the textbook option for day-trippers.
Metro + CP via Oriente: Avoids the steep Rossio escalator if you have heavy bags.
Aerobus + CP: Only beats Metro if you arrived from a hotel that the Aerobus passes en route.
Taxi direct: Best for groups of 3–4 with luggage or if you arrive late at night.
Uber / Bolt: Cheapest door-to-door for solo travellers when not in surge pricing.

What are the practical tips?

Sintra trains terminate at Sintra station, which is in the lower town. From there walk uphill (~25 min) or take Scotturb bus 434 to Pena Palace / Moorish Castle.
Buy a return Sintra ticket at the airport CP ticket office to skip queues at Rossio.
Avoid taking a taxi during weekday rush hour (08:00–10:00 and 17:30–19:30) — A5 traffic can double the journey time.
If you are staying overnight in Sintra, take the CP via Rossio in the morning and a taxi/rideshare back in the evening with luggage.

Data last verified: 2026-05-13.