How do I do a Sintra day trip from Lisbon, and which day should I go?

Short answer: Ride the CP Sintra Line train from central Lisbon to Sintra station, then take Scotturb bus 434 up to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. Pick a weekday if your schedule allows, and book your Pena time slot online before you go. Weekends and midday are the busiest times, so aim to reach the hill early.

The details

• Train. The Parques de Sintra site lists the Lisbon–Sintra route as a CP train on the Sintra Line, leaving from Oriente, Rossio or Entrecampos. Rossio is the easiest for most visitors staying in the Baixa or Chiado. Oriente is handier if you're near the airport or arriving by intercity train. The ride typically takes roughly 40 minutes, and trains on this commuter line run frequently. Check fares and the next departure on cp.pt.
• Bus up the hill. From Sintra station, bus 434 (Scotturb) is the listed route to Pena. Private vehicles can't use the road to Pena from the historic centre. That's one more reason to skip the car.
• Day pass. Scotturb's 434/435 day ticket works on both lines for 24 hours after first validation. It's listed at €13.50 ≈ $15 per person, with an 8% online discount. Single fares are also sold. If you're only riding up and walking down, compare the two on the day.
• Pena Palace ticket. The essential visit costs €20 ≈ $23 for adults and €18 ≈ $20 for youths (6–17) and seniors (over 65). The family ticket (2 adults + 2 youths) is €65 ≈ $73. Palace entry is only at a scheduled time. Transport is not included.
• Hours. Online tickets need a date and time slot for the palace interior. The park is open 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:00. The palace is open 9:30 to 18:30, with last entry at 18:00. Hours can change by season and on holidays, so check the ticket page for your date.

Which day should you go?

Parques de Sintra publishes a daily schedule, not a day-by-day crowd forecast. We can't give you an official "quiet day." Typically, weekdays are calmer than Saturdays and Sundays, and summer and holiday weeks are busiest. Early morning or late afternoon beats midday, when tour groups usually arrive.

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If you have flexibility, pick a weekday outside school holidays and book the earliest slot you can reach. Online tickets can be rescheduled within one year. So you can buy ahead and move the date if the forecast turns bad.

Tips

• Book the palace slot first, then build your train time around it.
• Allow time between the bus stop and the palace door. You still have to walk through the park after you arrive.
• Do Pena first and the town sights (the National Palace, for example) later in the day. Start with the hill while crowds are thin.
• Wear walking shoes. Sintra's slopes are steep and the weather on the hill can differ from Lisbon's, so bring a layer.
• If you'd rather skip the logistics, a guided trip is an option:

FAQ

Do I need to book Pena Palace in advance?

Yes, book ahead for the palace interior. Entry to the interior is by date and time slot. Walk-up availability varies by season. Buy on the official Parques de Sintra ticket site so you can pick a slot that fits your train.

Can I do Sintra without Pena Palace?

Yes. Sintra's old town has its own palace, plus other gardens and monuments, all with separate tickets and hours. Check each on parquesdesintra.pt. Pena is the headline sight, but an easy day can combine the town with one hilltop stop.

Is the train or a tour better?

The train is cheaper and more flexible. A tour removes the planning and usually handles transport between sights. Pick the train if you want to set your own pace. Pick a tour if timing the bus and tickets stresses you out.

Can I drive to Pena Palace?

Not from the historic centre. Private vehicle access to Pena from Sintra's historic centre isn't permitted. Most visitors take the train and bus 434, or walk one of the trails up from town.

Want the whole trip planned? The PerkJolt Lisbon guide puts the routes, timing and points strategy in one place. Get the Lisbon guide

More questions about Lisbon

• Is Porto or the Douro Valley Worth Adding to a Lisbon Trip?
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• Do I Need a Car in Lisbon? No, Here Is What to Use Instead
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See every question about Lisbon → /answers/lisbon/

Last verified: 2026-10-12. Ticket prices, opening hours and bus fares are most likely to change. Check parquesdesintra.pt, the Parques de Sintra ticket site, cp.pt and Scotturb before you go.

Good to know before you go

. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.

Sources

• https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/plan-your-visit/how-to-get-there/
• https://bilheteira.parquesdesintra.pt/info/parque-e-palacio-da-pena-visita-essencial/1198/en
• https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/essential-visit/
• https://www.sintra434.com/en/route/circuito-do-palacio-pena-circuito-regaleira-monserrate

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