Sintra with the Lisboa Card: Free Train, 40 Min from Lisbon

Why Sintra?

A trip straight out of a fairytale

Sintra is only 40 minutes from Lisbon by train and belongs on every Portugal itinerary. The small town in the wooded hills of the Serra de Sintra is home to several palaces that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From the colourful Palácio da Pena and the medieval Castelo dos Mouros to the mysterious wells of the Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra has more to offer in a small space than fits into one day.

And the best part: the train ride from Lisbon to Sintra is already included in the Lisboa Card. For the Pena Palace there is also a handy combined ticket, which we present below.

Getting there

How to get from Lisbon to Sintra

The simplest connection is the CP (Comboios de Portugal) regional train. The journey takes about 40 minutes and trains run every 20 minutes.

From Rossio (centre)

The classic starting point. Rossio station is in the centre, on the square of the same name. Direct connection to Sintra, about 40 minutes.

From Oriente (Parque das Nações)

An alternative from the modern district in the east. It does not go via Rossio but via Sete Rios to Sintra.

Included with the Lisboa Card

Just scan the Lisboa Card at the turnstile at the station, no extra ticket needed. You save €5.10 on the return journey (€2.55 each way).

Scotturb buses not included

The local buses in Sintra (line 434 to the Pena Palace) are not included in the Lisboa Card. You pay extra for a single ticket or a hop-on hop-off ticket.

Highlights

The main sights in Sintra

Sintra has an enormous density of palaces and gardens. For a day trip we recommend concentrating on two or three highlights. Seeing everything in one day is not possible.

Palácio Nacional da Pena

The absolute highlight of Sintra: a colourful fairytale palace on a hill with far-reaching views over the countryside. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited monuments in Portugal.

Lisboa Card: 10% off Entry: €20 Allow 1–2 hours

Quinta da Regaleira

A mystical palace with underground tunnels, the famous Initiation Well and an enchanted garden full of symbols. One of the most atmospheric places in all of Portugal.

No Lisboa Card discount Entry: €20 Allow 1–2 hours

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

The royal palace right in the town centre with its distinctive white chimneys. Especially worth seeing: the Swan Room and the Coat of Arms Room with their elaborate ceilings.

Lisboa Card: 10% off Entry: €13 45–60 minutes

Castelo dos Mouros

The ruins of a Moorish fortress from the 9th century. The climb along the castle walls is rewarded with an open panoramic view over Sintra as far as the Atlantic. The discounted ticket is available at the ticket office of the Palácio da Pena.

Lisboa Card: 15% off (adults only) Entry: €12 30–60 minutes

Parque e Palácio de Monserrate

Less crowded: a romantic palace in an exotic style with a botanical garden full of tropical plants. Ideal if you want some peace.

Lisboa Card: 15% off (adults only) Entry: €12 1–2 hours

Convento dos Capuchos

A tiny Capuchin convent built into the rock and overgrown by forest. Tiny cork doors and moss-covered walls, away from the crowds.

Lisboa Card: 15% off (adults only) Entry: €11 Only reachable by car

Lisboa Card in Sintra

What does the Lisboa Card give you in Sintra?

The Lisboa Card is primarily a city card for Lisbon, but it also includes some benefits for Sintra. However, the discounts are more modest than in Lisbon itself, where many attractions are completely free.

Benefit	Advantage with Lisboa Card	Saving
Train Lisbon to Sintra (return)	Free, included	€5.10
Sintra Mitos e Lendas	Free, included	Free admission
Palácio Nacional da Pena	10% off (adults only)	approx. €2.00
Palácio Nacional de Sintra	10% off (adults only)	approx. €1.30
Parque de Monserrate	15% off (adults only)	approx. €1.80
Convento dos Capuchos	15% off (adults only)	approx. €1.65
Castelo dos Mouros	15% off (adults only)	approx. €1.80
Palácio Biester	10% off
Palácio Nacional de Queluz	10% off	approx. €1.30
Scotturb buses (line 434 etc.)	Not included	—
Quinta da Regaleira	No discount (privately run)	—

The Lisboa Card is not worth it for Sintra alone. At 10–15%, the discounts on the palaces are fairly small. The biggest benefit is the free train ride. The card mainly pays off if you also use it for your days in Lisbon and plan the Sintra trip within the validity period.

Is the card worth it for your plan? Work out your own savings

Our tip

Combined ticket with Lisboa Card and Pena Palace

If you want to buy the Lisboa Card and visit the Pena Palace anyway, the combined ticket from Tiqets lets you do both in one purchase and save a little too.

Combined offer

Lisboa Card + Palácio da Pena

Lisboa Card (24h, 48h or 72h to choose from)
Entry to Palácio da Pena incl. park
Audio guide for Sintra
Audio guide for Lisbon
10% discount code for 5 further Tiqets bookings in Lisbon

Combined price from €58.00 per person

View the combo ticket

Prices vary by date and by the chosen Lisboa Card duration. Free cancellation up to 24h before.

The advantage over buying separately: you save yourself booking the Pena ticket separately, get two audio guides as a bonus and benefit from a discount code for more activities in Lisbon.

Please note: the combined ticket does not include priority entry (fast track). We recommend getting to the Pena Palace as early as possible in the morning. From midday it can get very busy.

Day plan

Sample day plan for Sintra

This day plan is built around the most popular combination: the Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira. You can of course adjust the order to your own preferences.

8am departure

Train from Rossio

An early start pays off: the most popular sights are packed by midday. With the Lisboa Card, just scan at the turnstile.

8.40am arrival

Arrival in Sintra

From the station take the Scotturb bus 434 to the Pena Palace (about 15 min, separate ticket needed). Alternatively, walk in about 45 minutes along the forest trail.

09:00–11:00

Palácio da Pena + park

The palace opens at 9.30am (park from 9am). Allow at least 1.5 hours, or closer to 2 hours for the palace and park together. Tip: explore the park first, then the palace, once the first rush eases.

11:30–12:30

Lunch in the town centre

Take the bus back to the centre from the Pena Palace. Sintra has many small restaurants in the pedestrian zone around the Palácio Nacional. Try the famous Travesseiros from Piriquita.

13:00–15:00

Quinta da Regaleira

Only a 10-minute walk from the town centre. Highlights are the Initiation Well and the underground tunnels. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the whole garden and the palace.

15:30–16:00

Return to the station

It is about a 15-minute walk downhill from the town centre to the station. The last train leaves around 9pm, but if you want to spend the evening in Lisbon, take an earlier one.

16:40

Back in Lisbon

Free again with the Lisboa Card. The rest of the day is yours for Lisbon, for example for dinner at the Time Out Market.
Inspiration for the remaining days: our route for 2 days in Lisbon

Good to know

Practical tips for your Sintra trip

Start early

Take the 8am train or earlier. From 10am long queues form at the Pena Palace, which can mean waits of up to an hour.

Sturdy footwear

Sintra is hilly, and the paths to the palaces are partly steep and uneven. Comfortable walking shoes or trainers are a must, flip-flops are unsuitable.

Book tickets in advance

Be sure to buy entry tickets for the Pena Palace online in advance. On site the ticket desks are often sold out or the wait is enormous.

Mind the weather

Sintra lies in the hills and often has its own microclimate. It can be foggy and cooler than in Lisbon. A light jacket is recommended.

Pick a weekday

At weekends and on public holidays Sintra is especially crowded. If possible, schedule the trip for a Tuesday to Thursday.

Lisboa Card timing

The Lisboa Card counts from first use. Plan the Sintra trip so that it still falls within the validity period, ideally as the last day of your 48h or 72h card.

Common questions

Common questions about the day trip to Sintra

Is the train to Sintra included in the Lisboa Card?

Yes. The CP regional trains on the Rossio to Sintra line are included in the Lisboa Card. This applies to the outward and return journey. That saves you €5.10 per person.

Can I take the bus to the Pena Palace with the Lisboa Card?

No. The local buses in Sintra are run by Scotturb and are not included in the Lisboa Card. For bus 434 you buy a separate ticket.

How big are the discounts on the Sintra palaces?

The discounts are fairly modest: 10% on the Pena Palace, the Sintra National Palace, the Palácio Biester and Queluz. Slightly more at the Convento dos Capuchos, Monserrate and the Castelo dos Mouros (15% each). At Pena, the National Palace, Monserrate, Capuchos and Castelo dos Mouros the discount applies to adults only. The Quinta da Regaleira offers no discount.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it for a Sintra trip alone?

No, the Lisboa Card is not worth it for Sintra alone. The discounts there are too small. The card pays off if you also use it in Lisbon, where over 50 attractions are free or heavily discounted. The Sintra trip is then a nice bonus.

What does the Lisboa Card + Pena Palace combined ticket include?

The combined ticket from Tiqets includes: the Lisboa Card in your chosen duration (24h, 48h or 72h), entry to the Palácio da Pena incl. park, an audio guide for Sintra, an audio guide for Lisbon and a 10% discount code for five further Tiqets bookings in Lisbon.

Do I have to collect the Lisboa Card beforehand?

Yes. The Lisboa Card must be exchanged for the Tiqets voucher at one of the official Ask Me Lisboa desks. You can do this at the airport, on Praça do Comércio or at Santa Apolónia station, for example. Allow 10–15 minutes for it. It is best to exchange the card the evening before your Sintra trip.

Is one day enough for Sintra?

For the two main highlights (Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira) one day is plenty. If you also want to see Monserrate, the Sintra National Palace or the Castelo dos Mouros, though, you should allow two days or make a selection.

Can I walk to the Pena Palace?

Yes, but the climb is steep and takes about 45–50 minutes from the town centre. The trail runs through dense forest and is lovely in itself, but strenuous, especially in the heat. Walking is a good option for the way back downhill.

Are there lockers in Sintra?

There are no lockers at Sintra station. So travel light. Large rucksacks have to be handed in at the entrance to the palaces.

Is Sintra doable with children?

Yes, but with limits. The Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira delight children, but the paths are steep and long. For toddlers, a buggy with all-terrain wheels or a baby carrier is recommended. Bus 434 makes the climb to the Pena Palace much easier.