Does anyone know if taxis are allowed to take passengers from the Sintra train station up to Pena palace? Their web site says no private vehicles are allowed to drive up but wasn’t sure if that included taxis or not. We would prefer that to taking the 434 bus up so we can get a bit earlier start. Plus there are 4 of us so the cost difference is minimal.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
362 posts
We took a taxi there in 2018, under €10, then walked down to the Castle of the Moors then into town.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks! We were there a few years back, took the taxi and really liked that option. We are returning with friends and it is their first visit. The Sintra website species no private vehicles on that rode and I know they were allowed on our previous visit. Since you have to have a timed entry to Pena I am trying to figure out what is the earliest we could get there by.
Posted by
Portland, OR (PDX)
304 posts
2019 Bike trip to Portugal, before the tour four of us hired a guide who drove to Sintra, stopping at other attractions along the way. Day trip. We didn't spend much time in Sintra proper. After the tour I went back and just took the train from Lisbon. It was easy,and relatively quick. The train station in Sintra is within reasonable walking distance (at least for me) to the Pena Palace, Castelo dos Mouros, etc.
Note: The walk up to Castelo dos Mouros was a significant climb. Ok for reasonably fit, could be a challenge otherwise. My biggest issue was actually walking the ramparts, I don't do well with heights anymore for some reason.
Posted by
California 🦋
5202 posts
Do consider spending at least an overnight in Sintra, in order to experience other amazing sights besides the Pena Palace.
My daughter and I decided to head straight to Sintra on day of arrival, and visited the Pena Palace in the late afternoon (around 4pm) without the crowds.
I’d also suggest buying your tickets ahead of time to avoid standing in a posible long queue.
I suppose you can plan to take an early train to Sintra in order to arrive before the park opens.
But... If you arrive anytime between say 9-12, you may not avoid getting stuck in heavy traffic on the only road leading to the palace.
One morning we took the 434 bus to get to the Moors Castle, and we were stuck in the heavy traffic, along with the taxis and the tuk-tuks heading to the Pena Palace.
Here’s our trip report on Sintra , if you’re interested.
Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Posted by
35 posts
Curious if anyone on here has been to Sintra in the last few weeks? I know the sights are usually crowded, but wondering if that is true at the moment? We're planning to visit next week. Also, anyone have thoughts on going Saturday vs. Sunday?
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I’ll be there on October 13! I know Monday’s are always busy because of the many places in Lisbon closed on Monday. Between Saturday and Sunday my guess would be Sunday would be less busy as less locals would probably go then. I think if at all possible to try and get to Pena Palace before 10:30 when the big tour groups start arriving or go much later in the day. I don’t think most of the other sites up there get as crowded. In case you didn’t know, Pena Palace, post COVID, had timed entry tickets. I think you might still be able to get in without it but might have to wait in long line. The time entry allows you to bypass the line. We got ours for 10:00 am and plan to take the 8:41 train from Rossio. We hope to get a taxi from the station up the hill to avoid taking to 434 bus.