Lisbon Airport to Cascais – public transportation, taxi and car hire

Cascais, a coastal town, approximately 30 km west of Lisbon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in central Portugal. Originally a quiet fishing village, thanks to its picturesque location, abundance of beaches and quiet, safe waters of Cascais Bay, Cascais soon attracted Portuguese and foreign nobility as a perfect vacation spot. The 19 century palaces and mansions are today one of the most characteristic elements of Cascais coastline. Apart from plentiful beaches, Cascais offers an array of attractions, including museums, well taken care of public parks and a vast selection of restaurants, pubs and nightclubs to suit every taste. Golfers will find a variety of golf courses in Cascais and surroundings.

Thanks to its proximity to the Portuguese capital, Cascais is a perfect destination for a day trip from Lisbon. Tourist who would like to make Cascais their base for visiting Lisbon instead, have at their disposal varied accommodation choices including hotels, guesthouses, pensions and hostels.

Find out below how to get to Cascais from Lisbon Airport using public transportation, taxis or by car.

Lisbon train to Cascais
Cascais can be easily reached by train from Lisbon Cais do Sodré Station. The journey time takes approx. 35 minutes, despite the frequent stops along the so called ‘Cascais line’, amongst others in Oeiras, Carcavelos and Estoril, also known for their beautiful beaches. The price of a single ticket is EUR 2.15 (in late 2014).

See Cais do Sodre-Cascais train timetable (in PDF format).

Travellers can reach Cais do Sodré from Lisbon Airport by Aerobus (a bus service connecting the airport to major transportation hubs in Lisbon city centre and popular hotels) or very conveniently, by metro.

The yellow Aerobus stopping in front of Lisbon Airport arrivals hall runs between 7 am and 11 pm. A 24 hours pass costs EUR 3.50 for an adult. Discounts are available for groups, children and online purchases.

Lisbon metro is a better option for tourists landing at Lisbon Airport very early in the morning or late at night; the trains run between 6.30 am and 1 am. A single ticket (valid during an hour) costs EUR 1.4 and a reusable Viva Viagem card must be purchased at the first trip, at a price of EUR 0.50. Lisbon Airport metro station is a terminus of the Lisbon underground red line. Travelling to Cais do Sodré which is a terminal station on a green line requires changing trains at Alameda station.

See map of Lisbon metro.

By combining train and metro it is possible to travel from Lisbon Airport to Cascais in about an hour and slightly more when opting for Aerobus / train solution (bus travel time depends greatly on the traffic conditions in Lisbon city centre). Be aware, though, that Lisbon commuter train system is often impaired due to railway workers strikes. It is advisable to enquire about any possible strikes, for example at the passenger information desk in Lisbon Airport, before heading out on a trip to Cascais by public transportation.

Shuttle from Lisbon Airport to Cascais – pre-booked transfers
A number of private operators offer shuttle transfers from Lisbon Airport to Cascais. The prices range between 20 and 40 euros per person, depending whether it is a private or shared service. For the cheapest rates, book in advance.

Lisbon Airport – Cascais by taxi
Taxi ranks are located in front of the arrivals terminal of Lisbon Airport. In the summer season it is often necessary to queue for a short time to get a cab. The price of a taxi ride between Lisbon Airport and Cascais vary between 45-55 euros (daytime rate), depending on traffic/route chosen. All taxis in Lisbon work on a meter and should be able to provide you with a receipt. If you feel you are being overcharged, require a receipt with the description of the service and the number of the taxi. If the tax driver suggests a flat rate, make sure you agree the total amount before heading off.

Lisbon Airport car hire – drive from Lisbon to Cascais
For tourist who enjoy the freedom of exploring a holiday destination at their own pace, Lisbon car hire is a popular solution. There are countless places of interest within a short drive from the Portuguese capital ad thanks to a well-developed network of motorways, even Porto in the north and the sunny Algarve in the south can be reached relatively quickly.

Being the major gateway for tourism to Portugal, Lisbon Airport is probably the most competitive marketplace for car hire deals. All the major international car rental companies, as well as local providers compete here for the customers and prices are often substantially lower than in Lisbon city centre rental stations.

Find cheap car hire at Lisbon Airport

Holidaymakers on their way to Cascais from Lisbon Airport in a hire car should find it fairly easy to reach their destination. There are two major routes leading from Lisbon to Cascais: the A5 motorway and the scenic coastal road N6, known as ‘Marginal’.

A5 from Lisbon to Cascais
In order to get on the A5, leave the airport following the signs towards city centre/ Sintra. You will find yourself on Segunda Circlar /2a Circular road which bypasses Lisbon centre from the north. From this road, look out for the exit towards Cascais/CRILL ad than again, an exit towards A5, direction Cascais. On “a good day”, with regular traffic conditions, no accidents and roadworks along the way, it is usually possible to cover the 30 km distance in approximately half an hour. If you would like to get a glimpse of Lisbon city centre, before heading off to Cascais, it is also possible to get on the A5 from the Rotunda Marques de Pombal, one of the major roundabouts in Lisbon an a crossing point to many major city roads. Either way, the directions toward Cascais is fairly well signposted, although the traffic in the city centre may strike you as hectic.

Lisbon Airport to Cascais by Marginal
If you are not in a hurry and it is a sunny day, drive to Cascais by the coastal Marginal road. The traffic here is usually slower than on A5 but it is without a doubt a beautiful drive with panoramic views of the ocean. To get on the Marginal / N6 after leaving the airport, take the exit towards CRILL from the Segunda Circular, pass on the exit towards A5/Cascais and continue on CRILL all the way south to Algés, where you will be able to get on the Marginal, in direction to Cascais. Around an hour is needed to cover the distance (45 km) between Lisbon Airport and Cascais by Marginal road.

Related page: Find cheap car rental in Cascais