I have been to Cascais many times. It is a beautiful coastal town located just a short distance from Lisbon.
I love visiting the beachfront and oceanfront promenade and experiencing the lively culture.
The best part is it only takes 40 minutes by train from Lisbon to Cascais, and you have a few options to reach this day trip destination.
1. Traveling by Train (The Fastest Way)
The best way to travel from Lisbon to Cascais is by train for a day trip. The Linha de Cascais railway serves the towns and beaches on the Tejo estuary’s northern side, between the west of Cascais and the east of Algés.
Still, there is a downside. While public transport is the fastest way to travel, it can get crowded during summer as everyone heads to the beach.
You can get the train in Lisbon from Cais do Sodré train station, which is west of the historic center. Cais do Sodré is connected to the green metro line, and the route’s stop is Cascais.
The train station is in the center of town, and the Lisbon to Cascais railway, operated by Comboios de Portugal, is nearby. A Train ticket costs as follows:
- Adult €2.40
- Child €1.20
These are both four-zone fares, and you can charge it to your Navegante card. The card costs €0.50, and you can preload it with money for traveling.
A return ticket from Cascais to Lisbon will be two single tickets, totaling €4.80 for adults and €2.40 for children.
Linha de Cascais is an urban train; you cannot pre-book tickets or seats. Trains depart every 20 minutes, and additional services are available during rush hour.
The last trains depart Cascais and Lisbon at:
- 12:30 AM
- 1 AM
- 1:30 AM
Alternatively, you can pay your fare from Lisbon to Cascais using a zapping public transport ticket. You can load it on your Navegante card bought at any metro station and use it at the station barriers.
Furthermore, it will reduce your costs to €2, and a trip can take up to 45 minutes depending on the stops as it passes through the Belém district.
To get the best view, sit on the left side of the carriage, with a view to the south.
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2. By Bus
Several bus companies, including Scotturb and Vimeca, run between Lisbon and Cascais.
Routes generally start/end at Marquês de Pombal, Cais do Sodré, or Sete Rios bus stations in the capital, then service multiple stops like Belém and Oeiras before reaching central Cascais.
Check routes ahead of time and remember buses make more stops, so trip duration ranges from 30 minutes to an hour. A One-way ticket costs €4, depending on your boarding location.
Tickets are also available to buy on the bus.
3. Uber/Bolt
Another way to travel to Cascais from Lisbon is to use a ride-hailing app like Bolt or Uber. Both are very useful if you are not close to Cais do Sodré station or if you are traveling with children.
The fare is €25 – €40 from central Lisbon to Cascais, but it can vary depending on demand, time of day, and traffic. Still, it is a costly option.
Hot Tip🔥: I recommend hailing either Bolt or Uber mid-morning as there is low demand, but it gets trickier later in the day as everyone wants to travel back to Lisbon.
During peak times, the fares can rise, and you may wait long to connect to a driver. While Bolt is cheaper, I still prefer using UBER.
If you want to ensure a higher fare, you can book a comfort-level car costing €8 – €10 more, which will attract more drivers at peak times.
Important Note: If you want to use Bolt/Uber instead of standing at the train station, I recommend downloading the app to familiarize yourself with it before your trip.
Fares are also charged in Euros, so connect the app to an account that will not charge fees if you use a different currency.
Even though it’s more expensive, I often take an Uber because it’s easy and comfortable. I do like to take the train, though.
Usually, I take the train there in the morning, but an Uber is just the easiest when I’m tired and want to go home to Lisbon.
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4. Car Rental
While I do not recommend renting a car, as parking is limited in Cascais, it remains an excellent option for exploring the outskirts.
The main attractions are all within walking distance from the station, so you do not need to rent a car.
For parking, I suggest places like Praia do Guincho or Cresmina Dunes, as you can park outside the historic center.
If you decide to rent a car, stop at Cabo da Roca. The rental car prices are available here.
You can reach Cascais from Lisbon along the Avenida da Marginal (EN6), a scenic coastal road. You can also travel on the A5, which is faster. Still, it is a toll road.
5. Day Trip Tour to Cascais
Traveling by tour to Cascais is a great option, and most of these tours include Estoril, Guincho, and Sintra. I recommend checking out GetYourGuide for the best prices and tours.
Traveling From Lisbon Airport to Cascais
If you stay in Cascais for a few days, the Lisbon Airport is about 36 kilometers away.
Hiring a taxi can cost around €80, while pre-booked transfers with Uber can cost €60.
If you use public transport, it can cost you €4.25 per person. There are three stages to travel from the airport to the beach town:
- Lisbon Airport to Cais do Sodre station (metro, taxi, or Bolt/Uber)
- Cais do Sodre station by train to Cascais Station
- Cascais station to travel to your accommodation by walking, using a cab, or Bolt/Uber
I recommend traveling by metro. The red line connects Cais do Sodre to the airport, and the green line’s final stop is also on this line.
You find the connection at Alameda, and it takes a short walk between the platforms.
A single ticket costs around €2,50. You can also charge it to your Navegante card, which is sold at ticket machines at the station.
Hot Tip🔥: If you travel with heavy luggage, I recommend hailing an Uber instead of going to Cais do Sodré station.
The metro platforms are on the lower level, and the train station is on the ground floor. There are ample lifts and escalators available.
How to Get Around Cascais
You can explore the town on foot once you get off at Linha de Cascais station. Everything is within reach from the beautiful restaurants, cute cafes, Cascais beaches, and more.
Also, prepare for the heat, especially during summer, and keep hydrated. Another concern is the charming cobblestone streets, which can become hard to walk on.
These are slippery tiles, and I recommend comfortable walking shoes with good traction.
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Things to Do and See in Cascais
Cascais is a perfect spot for a day trip to enjoy water sports, calm waters, rugged cliffs, Portuguese cuisine, and so much more.
You can visit the Santa Marta Lighthouse walking along Avenida Rei Humberto li de Italia to Boca do Inferno.
Once you reach Santa Marta Lighthouse, you will be amazed at the views. The Santa Maria Lighthouse is on rocky cliffs.
You can also visit the Santa Marta museum and enter the traditional Casa de Santa Maria house.
Parque Marechal Carmona is also a peaceful park where you can sit under the shady trees and watch the peacocks. Then, explore the Castro Guimarães Museum inside the park.
Walking towards town, you get lovely seaside views and follow the small streets leading to the beach, where you find cafes and restaurants.
For lunch, head to the House of Wonders, a vegetarian place, or visit Masala Indian for some Indian food and seafood; visiting Baia do Peixe is an excellent choice.
Then head to Cidadela de Cascais, a town built in the 15th century with a long history.
It used to be a defense fort, then a royal residence, and now it is part museum and part hotel.
A Quick One-Day Cascais Itinerary
Are you trying to maximize your time on a quick day trip to Cascais from Lisbon? Here’s a suggested 10-hour itinerary:
| Lisbon to Cascais Time | Things to Do |
| 8:00 AM – Depart Lisbon | Enjoy the scenic route |
| 9:00 AM | Enjoy breakfast and coffee at a cafe |
| 10:00 AM | Walk along the Cascais beach walkway to visit museums and more |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at Santini’s at the promenade for the best seafood |
| 2:00 PM | Wander the historic center, exploring sites like the Citadel Arts District |
| 4:00 PM | Visit Boca do Inferno, a short bus ride to see the surroundings |
| 6:00 PM | Enjoy dinner with a sunset view |
| 8:00 PM | Return to Lisbon by train |
Hot Tip🔥: Check out these other fantastic Lisbon day trips you can also take.
Wrap-Up: Lisbon to Cascais
With its sandy coves, coastal trails, and fascinating history, Cascais is an accessible, rewarding day trip destination from the bustling streets of Lisbon.
Whether you travel by train, bus, or rideshare, you’ll have convenient transport options that will get you there in under an hour.
Once in town, beautiful beaches, relaxing cafés and vibrant culture await. Plan your visit to take advantage of this stunning stretch of the Portuguese Riviera at its best!
