SINTRA FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

You will be entering Portugal via air at Lisbon`s Humberto Delgado Airport (called Portela Airport by locals, IATA code LIS). Lisbon`s airport is 18 miles east-southeast of Sintra.

Many of you will be self-driving to Sintra, as it is much easier to explore Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and the Sintra Mountains with a car. Consult your reservation information and keep in mind the name of the company from which you have rented. The rental car companies are based in Terminal T1, in and around the P3 parking lot.

Driving directions to Sintra: Turn left to Avenida Berlim. At the roundabout, take the fourth exit, which will keep you on Avenida Berlim. Make a slight right in the direction of the Segunda Circular/E1 (`Segunda` may be written as `2a`). Merge onto the Segunda Circular/E1 by using the left ramp. The sign will say something to the effect of `IC19/Sintra/EIXO Norte-Sul`. Continue on the Segunda Circular, which after two miles should turn into the A37. After approximately 8-9 miles, take the exit for the A16 for Sintra Centro/Mafra/Ericeira. After a mile and a half, take exit 8 for Sintra Centro/Colares. Keep left on the roundabout and continue straight onto Avenida Mario Firmino Miguel. At the next roundabout, take the second exit for N249 and the Avenida Doutor Desiderio Cambournac. Sintra`s historic center will be ahead within a quarter of a mile.

For those who are not reserving a car: Take the Lisbon Metro from Aeroporto station (inside the airport) to Oriente train station. Buy a ticket on the Comboios de Portugal Sintra Line to Sintra station. The Metro ride will take seven minutes, and the CP train ride will take 47 minutes. Portela de Sintra station is the stop before Sintra, approximately a mile and a half away. Both train stations have taxi queues, which are typically staffed between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. (although it is not unusual for a few cabs to be around in the late night hours).

The Metro ticket to Oriente station will cost around €3. Make sure to budget another €1 for the Viva Viagem card which is mandatory to use for travel on the Lisbon Metro; you can purchase it from an automated machine inside the airport station and instructions on how to buy and pay can be displayed in English. Keep in mind that you need to swipe the Viva Viagem card in the turnstiles as you enter AND exit the Lisbon Metro. The Viva Viagem card is also used for the train to Sintra; add an extra €3-€5 per person to cover the train expense to Sintra.

Taxis are also an option, but keep in mind that a taxi from the airport, going directly to Sintra, will cost at least €50, if not more, depending on the time of day, the number of passengers (many taxis that service the airport serve up to seven passengers per cab), and the number of pieces of luggage handled by the driver.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are easy to hail from the street; if there is one around, simply wave your hand in the air and if it isn`t occupied, they will usually stop for you. There are four taxi companies that serve Sintra. Three are located in Algueirao-Mem Marins and one is located in Agualva-Cacem, southeast of Sintra. Here are telephone numbers for the companies that serve Sintra:

- Taxigal (+351 961 532 938)
- Taxintra-Cooperative/Radio Taxis Sintra (+351 21 913 8018)
- Taxis Linha Sintra (+351 966 001 811)
- Taxi Agora Sintra (+351 963 772 001)

Taxis queue outside Sintra train station, Portela de Sintra train station, and the Sintra-Vila post office. Unlike in some small Portuguese towns, taxis in Sintra run on meters, so be sure that the meter begins when your trip does. Expect the meter to start in the neighborhood of €2 with a €1 increase for each 0.6 miles traveled. A one-way fare from Sintra train station to the Palace of Pena will cost at least €10, and expect to pay €15-€20 each way to get to the Convent of the Capuchos. If you want a taxi to wait for you, the cost will be approximately €15 per hour. Many cab drivers in Sintra can speak English, but if you find your driver does not, you can tell him to wait for you by saying `Aguarde por mim, por favor`.

Should I rent a car in Sintra?

We recommend that you rent a car and include it in your package during the reservation process. A car is good to have if you want to explore Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and areas around Sintra. If you are taking advantage of self-drive portions of your trip, you will be picking up your car at the airport upon entering Portugal, not in Sintra. For exploring the historic quarter, a car is not needed.

If you do decide to rent a car on your own after your arrival in Sintra, Hertz is located north of town, on the outskirts of Lourel, and Europcar is located east of Sintra in Algueiro-Mem Martins.

Is Sintra a walking city?

The short answer is yes and no. Sintra will present few problems for younger and more able-bodied tourists, but for those who may have mobility issues, or those who may have trouble walking up steep inclines, you may want to stick to buses, cars, taxis or other forms of wheeled transportation. Sintra`s downtown, on the other hand, is easy to navigate. The walk from Sintra train station to central Sintra is approximately 1,000 feet, and the walk from Portela de Sintra train station is roughly the same distance.

Is Sintra a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid?

Sintra is a big tourist destination and for the most part it is very safe for visitors. With that said, we have researched a few complaints regarding the train ride from Lisbon to Sintra, in particular the possibility of mugging while taking the train after dark (both on the train and at Sintra station). We have heard that police are now patrolling Sintra station at night, but if you are concerned about safety at night, consider taking a taxi directly to Sintra. We have received no complaints of possible trouble regarding the Sintra Line and Sintra station during daylight hours.

Which areas are the best for shopping?

There are a number of shops in Sintra where people can buy authentic Portuguese souvenirs. The following shops come highly-recommended: A Esquina, located at Praca da Republica 20, which carries a wide selection of Portuguese ceramics and lacquerware; Almorabida, at Rua Visconde de Monserrate 12-14, sells ceramics, rugs and carpets, and copper dishware; MP Loja Gourmet, Rua Visconde de Monserrate 46, which sells Portuguese foodstuffs and delicacies; Maria Madrugas, Rua Doutor Alfredo da Costa 50, well-known for jewelry and housewares; and Casa Branca, Rua Consiglieri Pedroso 12, which sells linens not just from Sintra, but also from the north of Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira Island.

Are there long lines at the attractions? How can I purchase discounted tickets?

We have heard reports of long lines at many attractions in Sintra, in particular Palace of Pena and Quinta da Regaleira. These attractions should be seen either at the beginning or end of the day, in order to avoid long lines. Tickets to these attractions can be bought in advance by going directly to the Parques de Sintra website at www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/commercial-area/ticket-office-2. You can receive a 5% discount by buying online versus in person.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Portugal is the Euro and US dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at your arrival airport and at many hotels and banks throughout the city.

I do not speak Portuguese. Do many people speak English?

It is more common to find English speakers in Portugal than it is in other southern European countries, such as Spain. A recent European Union language survey found that 32% of Portuguese people over the age of 18 can speak English on a conversational level or better.

With that said, you may encounter some difficulty finding an English speaker away from tourist areas. It is recommended to brush up on basic Portuguese phrases before arriving, like basic pleasantries and numbers from 1 to 10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Fala ingles?`

Note: Do not speak in Spanish to a Portuguese person, thinking they will understand you when you do so. Responses will range from stunned silence to outright hostility; the Portuguese people are proud of their culture and heritage, and such an act will cause nearly everyone to take personal offense. On another note, the vocabulary and pronunciation in Portuguese differs from Spanish more than you may realize.

What are the drinking laws in Portugal?

The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18, whether you find yourself in a pub or a nightclub. Asking for proof of age upon ordering an alcoholic beverage or entering a nightclub is becoming more commonplace, especially if you appear younger. Keep your passport with you as it doubles as proof of age and identification.

If you are renting a car, do not drive after consuming alcohol. A blood alcohol content level of 0.05 is considered the legal limit; penalties can range from fines to a jail sentence of up to one year. Save yourself the potential trouble and heartache.