TLDR: The train from Lisbon to Sintra runs from Rossio station, takes 40 minutes, and costs €4.60 return with a Lisboa Viva contactless card (€0.50 to buy at the station). Trains depart every 20 minutes between 6am and midnight. From Casa Almada in the Old Town it is a 14 minute walk to Rossio. The Sintra terminus is a 5 minute walk from Sintra National Palace and a 15 minute uphill walk to Quinta da Regaleira.
Insider tip from Casa Almada
Buy a Lisboa Viva card at any metro station (€0.50) and load it with a 24-hour Carris/Metro day pass for €6.80. The day pass covers the metro from Casa Almada to Rossio and the Sintra train both ways, and any tram or bus you take in Lisbon proper. Pays for itself by the second journey.
The train from Lisbon to Sintra is one of the easiest and cheapest day-trip moves in Europe. €4.60 return, 40 minutes each way, departures every 20 minutes from a beautiful neo-Manueline station that looks more like a palace than a transit hub.
Casa Almada sits 14 minutes’ walk from Rossio, the station the Sintra train leaves from. This is the practical guide to riding it well — when to leave, what to pre-book, what to expect on arrival, and how to avoid the usual day-tripper mistakes.
Rossio station: where the train actually leaves from
The Sintra train departs from Estação do Rossio, the neo-Manueline 1890 station on Praça D. João da Câmara just behind Praça do Rossio. The platforms are upstairs — escalators on the left as you enter from the main entrance.
From Casa Almada it is a 14 minute walk to Rossio: down Rua do Almada, across Praça da Figueira, and around the corner to the station entrance. Or take the metro one stop on the green line from Baixa-Chiado to Rossio.
Buy your Lisboa Viva card at the ticket office or vending machine on the ground floor (€0.50 for the card) and load it with the Sintra return (€4.60) or a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass (€6.80). The 24-hour pass is the better deal if you also plan to use the metro or tram in Lisbon that day.
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The journey itself
Trains run every 20 minutes from 6am to midnight on weekdays, slightly less frequently on weekends. Journey time 40 minutes door to door. Stops at Sete Rios, Benfica, Amadora and Cacém along the way before terminating at Sintra. The trains are modern, air-conditioned, and rarely full outside the 9am-10am rush.
The view from the right-hand side improves as you head west — green hills, eucalyptus woods, and glimpses of the Serra de Sintra. The last 10 minutes climbs gently into the Sintra valley.
On the return: trains leave Sintra every 20 minutes from 5.45am to 12.45am. The 4pm and 5pm trains are the fullest as the day-trippers head back. The 6pm and 7pm options are noticeably calmer — and Sintra at golden hour is amazing.
On arrival in Sintra and what to do next
The Sintra terminus sits at the eastern edge of Sintra town. From the station it is 5 minutes’ walk to the Sintra National Palace in the town square, 15 minutes uphill to Quinta da Regaleira, and 25-30 minutes uphill to Pena Palace. Most visitors take the 434 hop-on-hop-off bus from outside the station to the upper palaces.
434 fare €13.50 for a day pass. It loops Sintra station, Moorish Castle and Pena Palace every 15 minutes. The 435 bus does a separate loop covering Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate and the Centre. €5 for the 435.
Tip: buy the 434 ticket from the bus driver in cash (notes accepted) or via the Carris.pt app. The driver does not take card. There is an ATM 30 metres from the station exit if you need cash.
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- Departure station: Rossio (neo-Manueline 1890 building, Praça D. João da Câmara).
- Arrival: Sintra terminus (5 min walk to town centre).
- Journey time: 40 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes, 6am to midnight.
- Fare: €4.60 return with Lisboa Viva card. Card itself €0.50 once.
- Better value: 24-hour Carris/Metro pass €6.80 — covers metro, tram and the Sintra return.
- 434 bus from Sintra station: €13.50 day pass for the upper palaces (Moorish Castle and Pena).
- 435 bus: €5 for Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate and centre.
- From Casa Almada to Rossio: 14 minute walk or 1 stop on metro green line from Baixa-Chiado.
Photos of Casa Almada
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From €219/night. FTC disclosure: this is our own apartment booking page.
Frequently asked questions
Which station does the Lisbon to Sintra train leave from?
Rossio station in central Lisbon, on Praça D. João da Câmara just behind Praça do Rossio. The neo-Manueline 1890 building has the Sintra platforms upstairs. From Casa Almada it is a 14 minute walk.
How long does the train from Lisbon to Sintra take?
40 minutes. Trains run every 20 minutes from 6am to midnight on weekdays. Stops at Sete Rios, Benfica, Amadora and Cacém along the way.
How much is the Lisbon to Sintra train ticket?
€4.60 return with a Lisboa Viva contactless card. The card itself costs €0.50 once at any metro station ticket machine. Better value: a 24-hour Carris/Metro day pass at €6.80 covers the train plus all metro, tram and bus journeys in Lisbon that day.
Do I need to book the Lisbon to Sintra train in advance?
No. It is a regular suburban train, not a reserved-seat service. Just tap your Lisboa Viva card at the gate and walk on. Tickets can also be bought one-way at the vending machine if you only have cash or you forgot to load the card.
Can I take a taxi or Bolt from Lisbon to Sintra?
Yes, but it costs €40-€55 each way and takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. The train is faster, cheaper and more reliable. Bolt only makes sense if you are travelling at 5am or after midnight when the train does not run.
If you are planning your stay around this, take a look at the rest of our Lisbon travel blog for itineraries, restaurants and seasonal tips.