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How to get from Porto to Sintra
The best way from Porto to Sintra is a CP train to Lisbon, about 2 h 45 to 3 h 15 on the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades, then a suburban train to Sintra, about 40 minutes. Allow about 4 h in total. Driving takes about 3 h 15 on the A1 with tolls.
Best option: Train. Trains are fast and frequent, and the Sintra line avoids the town's difficult parking.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train CP Alfa Pendular or Intercidades from Porto Campanhã to Lisbon, then a CP suburban train to Sintra (from Rossio, or from Oriente on some services) | about 4 h in total | Porto–Lisbon trains roughly hourly; Sintra trains every 15–20 minutes | about €30–50 in total | Book the long-distance leg ahead for lower fares; use a Navegante or Viva Viagem card on the Sintra line. |
| car A1 motorway to Lisbon, then the A16 or IC19 to Sintra | about 3 h 15 | fuel plus tolls of about €25–30 | Parking in Sintra is very limited and the access roads to the palaces are narrow and often one-way. | |
| bus Long-distance coaches (Rede Expressos, FlixBus) from Porto to Lisbon, then the suburban train to Sintra | about 4 h 30 to 5 h | many a day | about €15–30 in total | The cheapest combination if booked ahead. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Visit Sintra on a weekday and start early; the palaces are busiest from late morning.
- Book timed tickets for Pena Palace online.
- From Sintra station, local buses and tuk-tuks climb to the palaces; the walk is steep.
- Lisbon Oriente is the main stop for trains from Porto; Rossio is in the old centre.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Porto to Sintra?
No. You take a long-distance CP train from Porto Campanhã to Lisbon, about 2 h 45 to 3 h 15, and then a suburban train to Sintra, about 40 minutes from Rossio. Some Sintra trains also start from Oriente, where many Porto trains stop, which can save a change across Lisbon.
Can I do Porto to Sintra as a day trip?
Not comfortably. With about four hours each way, you would have only a few hours in Sintra, which needs a full day for its palaces and gardens. It is better to stay in Sintra or Lisbon for at least one night and visit Sintra early in the day.
Should I drive from Porto to Sintra?
Driving takes about 3 h 15 on the A1, with tolls of about €25–30. The problem is Sintra itself: parking is scarce, and the roads up to the palaces are narrow and crowded. If you drive, leave the car at your accommodation or a car park and use buses.
What is the cheapest way from Porto to Sintra?
A coach from Porto to Lisbon, booked early for about €10–20, then the suburban train to Sintra for a few euros. CP train tickets for the Porto–Lisbon leg are cheaper when booked in advance. Driving alone is the most expensive option once tolls and fuel are added.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.