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 |
| Carris bus 783 + CP train from Rossio | Carris + CP | 100 min | €4.55 (€2.30 Carris + €2.25 CP) | Carris every 12 min, CP every 15–20 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
Carris bus 783 + CP train from Rossio?
Carris urban bus 783 to Restauradores or Marquês, then walk to Rossio station and catch the CP Sintra-line train.
- Operator: Carris + CP
- Duration: 100 min
- Price: €4.55 (€2.30 Carris + €2.25 CP)
- Frequency: Carris every 12 min, CP every 15–20 min
- Where to board: Bus stops level 0 outside arrivals
- Notes: Cheapest combination but slow with luggage. Faster: Metro + CP via Rossio.
Source: Carris bus 783
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.
- 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.
