Lisbon, Porto and Sintra: How to Connect Them by Train and Bus

The short answer

Take the train between Lisbon and Porto: it is the most comfortable option and takes roughly three hours, city centre to city centre. Treat Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon, not from Porto. There is no direct link between Porto and Sintra, so you always go via Lisbon.

This guide is for first-time visitors building a Lisbon, Porto and Sintra route on public transport or with a guide. It does not print timetables, because they change. Check the details listed at the end before you commit.

Lisbon to Porto: the main connection

Long-distance trains run between Lisbon (usually Santa Apolónia or Oriente) and Porto Campanhã, on the eastern edge of Porto. Faster services cost more and fill up in busy periods, so book ahead. Slower regional trains exist but take noticeably longer.

Coaches are the main alternative. They usually take a little longer than the fast train, and the journey is at the mercy of motorway traffic around both cities. Driving is possible, but you will pay tolls and then pay for parking in two historic centres where a car is a liability. Flying makes little sense for a distance this short once you count airport time.

From Campanhã, a short local train or metro ride takes you to São Bento station in central Porto. Allow time for this: arriving at Campanhã does not mean you have arrived in the old town.

Lisbon to Sintra: easy, but crowded

Trains to Sintra leave from central Lisbon, with Rossio the most convenient for the old centre, and run frequently. The ride takes well under an hour. The unflattering part comes at the other end: Sintra station is not at the palaces. Pena Palace sits high on a hill above the old town, and in busy months the buses and queues are the real obstacle, not the train.

Expect a steep walk, a local bus, a taxi or a tuk-tuk to cover the uphill stretch. Allow plenty of time, because Sintra is often cool and misty even when Lisbon is sunny. Our Sintra day trip guide covers the palace visit and the autumn weather in more detail.

Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, is further out again. Public buses go there from the Sintra area, but they are less frequent than the train, so plan the return carefully.

Porto to Sintra: via Lisbon

Going from Porto to Sintra in a single day is possible only by spending much of it on trains. A better plan is to base yourself in Lisbon for the Sintra day, and keep Porto as a separate stop. If you are short on time, spend the night in Lisbon and visit Sintra the next morning.

Where a guide helps

Helios tours cover only parts of this route, and each starts in the city named in its title; none starts in Sintra. The Sintra and Pena Palace day trip runs from Lisbon for about 8 hours by road. Its itinerary lists Lisbon departure, Pena Palace, Sintra old town and Cabo da Roca. It runs as a small group of up to 12 guests, or as a private tour for your party, on the same route. Admission, transport, food and tastings are not included unless confirmed in your quote.

In Lisbon, the Alfama and Lisbon old town walk takes about 3 hours and lists Praça do Comércio, Sé Cathedral, the Alfama lanes and Portas do Sol. In Porto, the Porto old town and riverside walk also takes about 3 hours and connects São Bento Station, Porto Cathedral, Ribeira and Dom Luís I Bridge. Both are available as small-group or private tours.

If you would like a guide based in a particular city, send us an enquiry with your dates, group size and interests. We will check local guide availability and reply with a plan and quote.

A simple order for three or four days

• Lisbon first: a day for the old town, a day for Sintra.
• Train north: travel to Porto on the morning of the third day, and walk the old town and riverside in the afternoon.
• Extra day: the Douro Valley is a long day out; see our Douro Valley day trip guide.

For season and daylight, read Portugal in October.

What to verify before you travel

• Current train timetables and ticket rules on the national rail operator's official site, including whether your service needs a reservation.
• Which Lisbon station your train uses, and how to reach the Sintra line from there.
• Pena Palace opening times, ticket types and any timed-entry rules on the official Sintra attractions site.
• Local bus routes and frequencies for the Sintra hill and for Cabo da Roca.
• Strike notices, which can affect trains and buses at short notice.

FAQ

How long is the train from Lisbon to Porto?

Fast services take roughly three hours, and slower regional trains take longer. Check the rail operator's current timetable for the exact journey time.

Can I do Sintra and Porto in one day?

Not sensibly. Sintra is a short trip from Lisbon, while Porto is a few hours north. Combining them means a lot of time on trains and little time at either place.

Do I need a guide for Sintra?

No, you can go independently by train. A guide helps if you want to skip the transport puzzle and understand the palace and old town. Transport is not included in the Helios tour unless confirmed in your quote.

Does Helios run a Lisbon to Porto transfer?

The trips described here are day trips and walks within Lisbon and Porto. For anything else, send us an enquiry and we will tell you what we can arrange.