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Sintra Tourist Bus 434

All of the main tourist sites of Sintra and train station are connected by a convenient, if slightly over priced, bus service. The Sintra bus service number 434 performs a loop starting at the train station then heading to the historic centre 1 kilometre to the west.

The 434 bus route then climbs the steep Serra de Sintra hills and stops at the main entrance to the Castle of the Moors and a little further on the Pena Palace and park. The final stage of the route is down hills back to the train station. This bus service is almost essential for all day visitors to Sintra from Lisbon.

 

The roads climbing the hills of Sintra are narrow and the 434 bus route only travels in one direction. This does force tourists to visit the sights in a set order; the Village Palace and town, the Moorish castle and finally the Pena Palace and park. This order is a slight shame as the highlight of Sintra (Pena Palace) is visited last and the best location for lunch (the town) is visited early in the day.

 

A single loop ticket of the Scotturb 434 service costs €5.00 and a one day tourist ticket for unlimited travel cost €10.00. The Scotturb bus price could be considered over priced when compared to the price of public transport in Portugal but visitors without their own transport will find this bus service essential for exploring Sintra.

Those who try to skimp usually change their minds either while walking to historic centre of Sintra from the train station or while climbing the steep hills. A cheaper option is to buy a single (€2.75)up the hill and walk back down.

 

Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver who speaks fluent English. The bus services is not the most regular with a minimum of 1 bus every 40 minutes which is also the approximate time for the entire loop of the route. During the summer months another bus may be added to the route, reducing waits to 20 minutes. The 434 buses are unhurried and do wait at each stop for a good few minutes. The first bus of the day is at 10:15 with the last at 17:00. As the roads are narrow, steep and have switch backs it is highly advisable for older or less mobile passengers to sit during the journey. The bus service is operated by Scotturb which is part of the Stagecoach company.

Sintra Tourist Guide Navigation

Getting Started Introduction Why Visit Sintra? When To visit? Weather Image Guide Airport Guide*

Attractions Palácio Nacional Moors Castle Palácio Pena Quinta da Regaleira Town Hall Convento Capucho

Attractions Town Hall Parque da Pena Santuário da Peninha Quinta da Bela Vista Sintra Tram Palácio Monserrate

Guides Lisbon to Sintra Airport to Sintra Sintra Day Trip Tourist Bus Rental Car Guide* King-Fernando II

Portugal Lisbon Guide* Cascais Guide* Evora Guide* Obidos Sesimbra* * external website