Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais by Train: Stations, Fares and Passes

Trains from Lisbon to Sintra leave from Rossio station on CP’s Sintra line, and trains to Cascais leave from Cais do Sodré on the Cascais line. CP (Comboios de Portugal, the national rail company) charges €5.10 for a Lisbon to Sintra or Lisbon to Cascais return ticket as of November 2026, and the €40 Navegante Metropolitano monthly pass covers both lines.

Fares below are from CP’s Lisbon urban trains price list, in force since 1 January 2026. Fertagus, a private operator, runs the separate line across the 25 de Abril bridge to the Setúbal peninsula.

Which station do I use for Sintra and Cascais?

Each line has its own Lisbon terminus, and they are not connected by rail.

On the Cascais line, the timetable in force since 6 April 2026 shows weekday trains from Cascais every 20 minutes outside rush hour and every 15 minutes in the morning peak, with extra trains starting at Oeiras. An all-stops train from Cascais reaches Cais do Sodré in about 40 minutes. Timetables for all lines are on cp.pt.

How much does a train ticket cost?

CP prices urban trains by the number of fare zones you cross. As of November 2026:

Count the zones on CP’s zone map from your departure station to your destination. Travel between two consecutive stations is always 1 zone. Tickets and stored value (“zapping”) are loaded at station ticket offices and machines onto the reusable card. Validate the card at the gate or reader before every trip, including on the 24-hour ticket.

Which Navegante passes work on the trains?

The Navegante Metropolitano pass (€40 a month, €20 for over-65s, free for Sub18 and Sub23 holders) is valid on all journeys on the Sintra, Cascais and Sado lines and on the Azambuja line up to Carregado, according to CP. It also covers Fertagus, the Metro, buses and ferries across the metropolitan area. The Navegante Família Metropolitano costs €80 per household.

A municipal pass works only on the CP stretch inside that municipality. CP lists, for example, Cais do Sodré to Algés and Rossio to Benfica for the Lisbon pass, Cascais to Carcavelos for the Cascais pass and Oeiras to Algés for the Oeiras pass. The Almada, Seixal, Odivelas, Montijo, Alcochete and Sesimbra municipal passes are sold at CP counters but are not valid on CP trains. For travel from Lisbon to Sintra or Cascais, which crosses municipal borders, you need the Metropolitano pass. Details, discounts and the personalized card are in our guide to the Navegante pass in Lisbon.

CP also sells 30-day CP-only passes for 1 or 2 zones (€30.45 and €32.35, or €22.85 and €24.25 for young people), useful only for short trips that stay on the train.

How do I get to the south bank by train?

Fertagus trains cross the 25 de Abril bridge on its lower deck, from Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos, Sete Rios and Campolide to Pragal in Almada and on to Setúbal. Fertagus sets its own single fares and sells them at its stations; Navegante Metropolitano holders ride without a separate ticket. For Cacilhas, Seixal, Barreiro or Montijo, the ferry is often quicker: see our guide to Lisbon ferries across the Tagus.

Where does CP post strikes and service alerts?

CP publishes strike notices, minimum services and engineering works on cp.pt, normally with a downloadable list of the trains that will run on each urban line. Minimum services for transport strikes in Portugal are fixed by agreement or by an arbitration panel, so the list can appear only shortly before the strike.

1. Before a strike day, open the notices section of cp.pt and download the minimum-services list for your line.
2. Check the station screens; cancelled trains are shown there.
3. Have a backup: Carris Metropolitana buses for Sintra and Cascais, and the Metro for trips inside Lisbon.

Fertagus is a separate company and posts its own notices under “Comunicados” on fertagus.pt, so check both sites if your trip uses both lines.

Is the train the best way to visit Sintra?

For most people, yes: the train avoids Sintra’s narrow, congested roads and parking. Sintra station is a walk or short bus ride from the historic center. The Train & Bus ticket bundles the train with the Scotturb buses that serve the hilltop palaces. A CP return ticket saves buying again at Sintra for the trip back.

Bottom line

Occasional visitors pay €5.10 for a return to Sintra or Cascais; anyone making the trip more than a few times a month should get a Navegante Metropolitano pass, which also covers Fertagus, the Metro and buses. Under-23s in the metropolitan area travel free with the Sub23 pass.

FAQ

Can I pay with a bank card at the gates?

CP’s price list is based on tickets loaded onto the reusable Navegante card. Buy or load it at ticket machines or counters before you go to the gate.

Do children pay on Lisbon trains?

Children aged 4 to 12 pay the half fare on single tickets. Young people living in the area can use the free Navegante Sub18 pass.

Can I take a bicycle on the train?

CP allows bicycles on urban trains under its own conditions, which can limit them at peak times. Check cp.pt before travelling with a bike.