Are you planning to get to know Sintra at the start of your vacation and fly to Lisbon? Knowing how to travel from Lisbon Airport to Sintra is first on your agenda.
The fantastic thing is you can reach Sintra from the airport by car rental, taxi, private airport transport, train, or bus.
Sintra’s romantic character and recognition by UNESCO make it a must-visit destination.
So, before planning your trip, keep reading, as I have everything you need to know here.
Your Options For Traveling From Lisbon Airport to Sintra
Sintra lies west of Lisbon Airport, about 14 miles (24km), and you have different options available to reach your destination:
- Public Transport
- Uber or Bolt
- Pre-Booked
- Car Rental
- Taxi
Your option depends on your budget, time of day, whether you travel with kids, and, most importantly, how tired you are.
I would recommend using public transportation or Uber. Let’s look at each option closer.
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Portela Airport to Sintra by Public Transport
You can travel from the airport to Sintra with two methods:
First Method: Bus and Train
A cheaper option for transport to Sintra is to combine the public transportation use of a bus with a CP train and obtain your ticket at the ticket machines as it is cheaper. Here is how you can do it:
- Head to the bus stop outside T1 arrivals to get on Bus 705 or 744. The 705 bus only operates during the week from 06:40 am to 08:10 pm, while bus 744 runs from 06:20 am to 09:35 pm every 15-20 minutes. It only operates on Saturdays from 06:20 am to 09:25 pm and Sundays from 07:10 am to 09:20 pm.
- A note is that Bus 705 makes intermediate stops, and your ride to Oriente Station can take up to 20 minutes.
- From Oriente Station, you take the CP train to Sintra. It departs every 10 to 20 minutes from 00:08 am to 11:38 pm and takes up to 47 minutes to complete.
You can expect to pay for a ticket onboard the bus €2 or obtain a bus-metro ticket at one of the automatic machines or the airport ticket office priced €1.65.
The machines accept cash up to €20 and are valid for 60 minutes around Lisbon. At Oriente Station, you can expect to pay €2.30 for your train ticket from the automatic vendors or a ticket kiosk.
Hot Tip🔥: I recommend you buy a €10.70 24-hour ticket 🎫 valid for the bus, subway, tram, and CP trains. You can buy the ticket at the airport metro station outside the arrivals building.
Another note to remember is that apart from your on-bus tickets, your other tickets must be loaded into the Navegante card, which is rechargeable and costs €0.50.
You can load the card with one type of ticket at a time, which must be empty before buying a train ticket.
You can also load your card with cash to zap your public transport. A bus ticket will cost €1.47, and a train ticket costs €1.95.
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Tips Before Traveling Around Lisbon:
- If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, it helps to invest in the Lisbon card that offers free entrance or reduced prices to most of the attractions, including free public rides within city limits, including the CP trains.
- Kids travel free on the bus if younger than four, and children under three can travel on the CP trains for free. Kids aged 4-12 and seniors older than 65 will pay half the price.
- Neither should you travel on an urban bus if you have loads of luggage, as you can only take baggage onboard measuring 50 x 40 x 20cm.
Second Method: Train and Metro to Sintra
Alternatively, you can combine the airport’s Red Metro line with a CP train. From 06:30 a.m. to 01:00 a.m., the metro will take you 7 minutes to Oriente station.
Combining the two within 60 minutes will take you to Sintra. I recommend investing in a 60-minute ticket, which costs €1.65.
It is valid for buses, metros, and trams, and you can transfer it to your Navegante card. When loaded with cash, your subway ticket costs €1.47, and the tickets for the CP train cost €2.30.
Children aged four years do not have to pay to use the metro, and you can buy the ticket at the ticket office or the automatic machine at the airport subway station.
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Lisbon Airport to Sintra Using Uber/Bolt
When I visit Lisbon, I prefer using ride-hailing apps from Uber, but Bolt is also available.
It is lower than using a taxi, and the fares depend on demand, but they start from €25 for up to four people in the mid-morning in the low season.
The downside with both is trying to connect with them at peak times during rush hour or evenings, mainly in July and August.
Many of these drivers now reject a pick-up at the airport, and your app will continue searching for drivers.
Compared to Bolt, Uber is a bit more expensive, but its cars and drivers are better.
A great option is to book a comfortable car to journey to Lisbon. However, it will cost 15% more, as the higher fare will attract drivers.
Hot Tip🔥: If you come from a different country that does not deal in Euros, I recommend you attach a bank account that does not charge fees when paying in foreign currencies, as the Uber/Bolt will charge in Euros, and additional fees build up fast.
Follow your pre-reservas online signs at the arrivals hall to the Bolt and Uber pickup area. They are within the short-stay area.
Using a Pre-Booked Private Transfer to Sintra
If you decide to use a pre-booked private transfer, I recommend planning it before arrival.
Furthermore, it will cost less than a regular taxi from Portela Airport. You will also have the convenience of having the driver wait for you at the entrance in the arrivals hall.
I recommend using GetYourGuide as it offers the best airport transfers.
Lisbon Airport to Sintra by Car Rental
Car rental is an excellent option if you would like to explore Lisbon at your own pace. I recommend you explore my budget car rental options to find a suitable one.
After picking up your car at the airport, you can start your journey to Sintra:
- Reach the E1 highway to continue to 2ª Circular and A37.
- Take Exit A16 to Sintra Centro/Mafra/Ericeira.
- Keep driving for 2.8m and exit to Sintra Centro/Colares.
- You will be on the N249 heading to Sintra.
Lisbon Airport to Sintra by Taxi Ride
Using the Lisbon airport taxi is convenient for transferring from the airport to Sintra.
I recommend this if you have loads of luggage, kids, or had a very long flight and are tired. But why do I say this?
- You always find the taxis located outside the airport at T1 and T2.
- You can enjoy a door-to-door service without the need to stop.
- You will pay the same amount regardless of the size of your luggage as long as you can fit it in the trunk.
So, depending on your travel times, you can enjoy a comfortable ride and look for the creamy-colored or black/mint green roof taxing.
Still, the waiting line can be long during rush hours. If you find yourself in this situation, I recommend you head to the departure taxi rank to hire a cab there.
Also, avoid hiring an individual driver and choose an official one.
Note: The Lisbon taxis will charge according to the Tariff three or five for an intercity transfer. So, you can expect to pay $35/€35. Night transfers on public holidays and weekends can cost you $40/€40.
You may find you need to pay extra fees for your luggage or a pet transfer of $1.60/€1.60. But you need not pay extra for guide dogs, strollers, or wheelchairs.
Hot Tip🔥: Remember that most Portuguese taxi drivers do not have English skills, and Lisbon Airport only has one arrival area, T1.
If you land at T2, it is best to transfer to T1 and hire a taxi there. I recommend booking with Welcome Pickups. The group provides professional drivers who speak English.
Also, ensure you have cash available in case your card does not work on the machine provided by the taxi driver.
Arriving at Lisbon Airport
When you arrive at the airport, you have two terminal buildings, but all arrivals are at Terminal 1.
You will enter a small arrivals terminal, and you can find the Uber/Bolt pick to the left at the existing customs.
You take the metro you find outside at the main entrance to your right, and the taxi ranks in the front.
To use the metro line, you will find it at the arrivals lounge to the right of the taxi ranks painted with a bright red line.
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Wrap-Up: Traveling From Lisbon Airport to Sintra
As you can see, several options for traveling from Lisbon Airport to Sintra include public transport (bus, metro, train services), car rentals, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and private transfers.
If you’re looking for a comfortable ride, I recommend using public transportation like bus/train services or ride-hailing apps like Uber. However, taking a taxi might be a better option if you have a lot of heavy luggage or kids.
Alternatively, you can also rent a car or use a pre-booked private transfer. Whatever option you choose, plan to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey to Sintra.
