Sintra Bus 434: Route, Tickets & Queue Tips 2026
By Francisco Gomes, history and culture guide at Sea & See Tours. Last updated: June 8, 2026.
The 434 is the tourist bus that loops from Sintra station up to the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, the sights too high and too steep to reach on foot easily. The day pass is 13.50 euros and covers the 434 and the 435 for 24 hours. This guide gives you the verified 2026 prices, the route loop, the one-way trap that catches most people, and how to beat the queue.
This page is about the 434 loop inside Sintra only. For getting from the city to Sintra in the first place, see our Lisbon to Sintra transport guide, and for planning the sights around the quiet hours, the best way to see Sintra in one day.
- Day pass: 13.50 euros, about 8 percent off online, covers 434 and 435.
- Runs: every 15 minutes, roughly 9am to 8pm in summer.
- Route: a one-way loop, station to Pena and back through the town.
- The trap: it only goes one direction, so you cannot ride back down the way you came.
- The pain point: the Pena queue in peak season.
Sintra 434 bus prices in 2026
Page one of Google cannot agree on the 434’s prices, so here are the verified numbers. Operated by Scotturb, the bus sells a single ride and a day pass, and there is a combined train-and-bus ticket from the rail operator.
| Ticket | Price | Covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour hop-on pass | 13.50 euros, 8% off online | 434 and 435 for 24 hours | Best value for two or more sights |
| Single ride | 4.55 euros | One journey | Often withdrawn from sale at peak times |
| Train and Bus combo | Around 16 euros | Round-trip Lisbon train plus the bus pass | Bought from CP |
The 434 route and stops
The 434 runs a fixed loop from the station up to Pena Palace and back, hitting the major sights in order. It is a one-directional circuit, which matters more than it sounds, as the next section explains.
The one-way loop trap
The single most useful thing to know: the 434 only travels in one direction. From Pena Palace you do not ride back down the way you came; you carry on around the rest of the loop, through the town, and back to the station.
This catches people out constantly. Visitors finish at Pena, join a long queue expecting a quick ride back to the station, and only then realise every bus is continuing the circuit. Plan your stops in loop order, from the castle up to Pena, rather than doubling back, and the day flows. Fight the loop and you waste an hour.
How to beat the 434 queue
The bus runs every 15 minutes, but in July and August the demand outruns the seats, and the queue at Pena can swallow an hour. A few habits keep you ahead of it.
- Board at the station: the first stop is the only one where you can reliably get a seat before the bus fills.
- Start before 9:30am: the first hour is calm, and you reach Pena ahead of the coach groups.
- Ride the loop in order: castle first, then Pena, so you are moving with the route, not against it.
- Have the pass ready: buy online in advance so a withdrawn single does not strand you at a busy stop.
The 435 bus: Regaleira, Seteais, and Monserrate
The same 24-hour pass also covers the 435, a separate route that the 434 does not replace. This is where most guides slip up, so it is worth being clear: the 434 does not stop at Quinta da Regaleira.
The 435 runs from the station to Quinta da Regaleira, the Seteais palace hotel, and Monserrate Palace and its gardens. If your day includes Regaleira or Monserrate, this is the bus you want, and the pass means it costs nothing extra. To plan a Regaleira visit, see our Quinta da Regaleira guide.
Skipping the bus altogether
The 434 is the practical DIY choice, but the queue is the single biggest time loss in a Sintra day. A tour with its own vehicle drives straight to the sights, skips the loop entirely, and removes the morning scramble for a seat.
Recommended tour
Sintra & Cascais Full Day Tour from Lisbon
Francisco’s small-group day drives you up to Pena Palace directly, so you skip the 434 queue and the one-way loop entirely. Pena tickets and lunch are included, along with Cabo da Roca and Cascais, with the group capped at 8.
See dates & book →Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Sintra 434 bus?
The hop-on hop-off day pass is 13.50 euros, with about 8 percent off online, and it covers the 434 and the 435 for 24 hours. A single ride is 4.55 euros but is often pulled from sale at peak times, so the day pass is usually the practical choice. Check current prices before you travel.
How often does the 434 bus run?
Every 15 minutes, roughly four buses an hour through the middle of the day. It runs from about 9am to 8pm in summer and closes earlier in winter. The catch is that buses fill at the busy stops, so a 15-minute frequency can still mean a long wait at Pena Palace in peak season.
Can you buy Sintra 434 tickets in advance?
Yes, and it is worth it. Buying the day pass online saves about 8 percent and lets you skip the on-board fumble for change. You can also buy from the driver, but single tickets are often withdrawn at peak times, so having the pass already loaded avoids being stuck at a busy stop.
Does the 434 bus stop at Quinta da Regaleira?
No. The 434 runs the Pena circuit: the station, Sao Pedro, the town and National Palace, the Moorish Castle, and Pena Palace. Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais, and Monserrate are on the separate 435 route, which the same 24-hour pass also covers. Several guides get this wrong.
Can you walk to Pena Palace instead of taking the bus?
You can, on a steep uphill trail from the town that takes roughly 40 to 60 minutes through the forest, past the Moorish Castle. It is a fine walk for fit visitors in cool weather, but hard work in summer heat or with children, and it saves little over the bus once you add the climb.
Is the Sintra 434 bus worth it?
For most visitors, yes, because the palaces sit high above the town and the walk up is steep. The day pass is good value if you visit two or more sights. The downside is the queue at Pena in peak season, which is the single biggest time loss in a Sintra day.
The 434 is the simplest way up to Pena and the castle if you ride the loop in order, board at the station, and start early. When the queue is the thing standing between you and the palace, Francisco skips it entirely on the Sintra and Cascais full day tour, which drives straight to the sights with tickets already in hand.
