my wife and I are going to Sintra on a day trip via train from Lisbon no a Monday in late May. I hear the bus (434) can get pretty crowded and I'm not big into lines. If there IS a line, can we take a taxi to Pena Palace from the train station THEN pick up the bus from the Palace when we are through?
As a side note, which sights in Sintra should we get tickets for in advance? Online? Thanks!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1824 posts
I would encourage you to get an early start to avoid the worst lines. Actually, even though there will be a line, with the large buses they use, it goes very quickly. And, Pena Palace is likely the only place you will experience a line for tickets. I've never tried purchasing them ahead of time but have not waited in line at Pena for more than 2-3 minutes. Be sure to purchase a ticket for the small bus that takes you from the ticket gate to closer to the Palace - unless you are really into climbing hills! There is still a bit of a climb after you get off the small bus but climbing all the way would be a killer IMO..
Posted by
2545 posts
Buy your tickets online in advance of your visit to the Pena Palace. This will save you time and money. We walked from the Moorish Castle to the Pena Palace...if you are in decent or better physical shape, it's easy. No need for the shuttle bus.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
368 posts
We took a taxi to Pena Palace from the train station last June, just under €10. The ticket lines were short, had to pay cash. The shuttle that takes you up higher to the entrance is €3 if I recall. We then walked down to explore the Moorish ruins & continued 1\2 hr on down to town. Easy walk downhill.
If you are using the 24-hr Lisboa card the previous day it will cover the train to Sintra & a teeny discount on Pena entrance.