Top Cascais Travel: Services to Get Around

Cascais, that lovely Portuguese coastal town, just sings with old-school charm and seaside vibes, it’s almost as if it’s trying to be picture-postcard material at every turn. As you are figuring out your trip, getting about is really something you will be asking yourself. Luckily, the area gives you loads of ways to get around, it could be argued. From comfortable taxis to those hop-on, hop-off buses, getting to those must-see spots really couldn’t be easier, could it? This review gives you the scoop on five of the best transport options so that you can plan your trip with confidence, too it’s almost a given. So, get ready to see Cascais in style and without any of the stress.

1. Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Convenience at Your Fingertips

After a long trip or when you are lugging about bags from all your souvenir shopping, taxis and ride-sharing services sure do come in handy, don’t they? In Cascais, taxis really are pretty easy to grab, and they usually hang about near the train station, in the town square, as well as near larger hotels, you see. You will find them showing off their green and black paint jobs, that’s right, just like those classic taxis. Yet, with just a tap on your phone, the ridesharing options such as Uber and Bolt mean that you might be able to get around quicker, or it might be that you have to wait a short while, which is definitely a bonus for some. Basically, if you are after door-to-door service without all that fuss, these kinds of rides are really something to look at, really.

I remember once, a little while back, after getting off the train from Lisbon – a really lovely ride in itself, if you get the chance – I just wanted to make it to my hotel fast. So, grabbing a cab from the stand next to the train station actually proved pretty quick and efficient. The driver, by the way, he gave me some cool tips, too it’s almost unbelievable, about places that the tourist guides often leave out, and that, too it’s almost certain, ended up shaping my whole trip.

2. Local Buses: An Economical Way to Explore

If you want to get in with the local vibe and not empty your wallet, using local buses will almost certainly give you just that, very much so. Bus services in and around Cascais can actually get you to a bunch of spots, from the happening center of town right the way out to the stunning Guincho Beach, that is. What’s more, the buses tend to run frequently enough, and the prices tend to be quite reasonable. Check out the local transport website or just pop into the Cascais tourism office, then, they can sort you out with routes and timetables; you might want to consider it. Riding the bus, actually, could also mean you get a proper snapshot into daily life, really. It just gives you that unique perspective that is hard to get from a tour bus, or in a cab, for example.

A few years ago, when I came here on a bit of a budget, I took the bus out to Guincho, if you can imagine. It actually gave me the opportunity to properly gaze out at the views instead of trying to watch traffic, basically. And getting there, and chatting a bit with some locals on the ride, too it’s almost a way of feeling connected to a place more, definitely. I think it cost next to nothing as well, arguably.

Read our full review: Local Buses in Cascais Full Review and Details

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3. Hop-On, Hop-Off Buses: Tourist-Friendly Sightseeing

For first-time visitors eager to cram in seeing the main attractions with absolutely no sweat, the hop-on, hop-off bus is arguably perfect for them, wouldn’t you say? It stops off at spots that are must-see, such as the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, the Boca do Inferno cliffs, plus the marina, more or less. You will be able to buy a pass that covers an entire day (or a couple), letting you hop off at places you really want to nose around, so to speak, before you then hop back on the bus when you are good and ready. It really is quite convenient.

I am not even kidding, the first time I brought my family here, we chose the hop-on, hop-off bus because it was really the simplest way to let everyone see something they enjoyed. Even better, the audio commentary really gave us the lowdown on the background of the spots; it did make the tour come alive, right. So, if you need to get acquainted with the area in an easy style, you may think this is actually it.

4. Train: Connecting Cascais to Lisbon and Beyond

Getting into Cascais could not be easier, especially if you are travelling to Lisbon, this much is obvious. The train connects both places, basically offering you amazing views along the coast while it gets you there, clearly. Plus, the trains run all the time, they’re quite efficient, too, and surprisingly comfy. When you do get to Cascais train station, it’s just a short walk to all of the major tourist spots, shops, plus eating places; a definite consideration. Using the train just helps you prevent city driving or even looking for a parking space, as well, especially if you have spent a couple of days in the busy Lisbon. It gives you a chilled, relaxing change.

I would argue, for me, there’s just something very therapeutic regarding a train ride beside the sea. Actually, I travel from Lisbon to Cascais often just for a break away from the craziness in the city, to be honest. Also, do bear in mind that if you have that Lisboa Card, your trip is most probably included already, so you do not have to think about extra tickets, too it’s almost too good to be true.

Read our full review: Cascais to Lisbon Train Full Review and Details

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5. Bike Rentals: Pedal Through Paradise

Feel the wind in your hair and, you know, explore the area your own way by renting a bike. Cascais, for one, is seriously bike-friendly with cycle paths that stick to the coastline as well as go into Sintra’s hills; definitely an adventure. Loads of local stores actually rent bikes for anything from some hours up to days, it gives you an opportunity to travel the area in a way that is kind to the planet as well as to your wallet. As you ride about, stop wherever calls to you, whether it be a sneaky little beach or that cafe you were desperate to look at – just gives you a sense of freedom that you may not get from buses, trains, arguably anything else, basically.

Last spring I did precisely that, that’s a fact, and grabbed a bike for the day. That is how I got to some stunning beaches just north of Cascais that buses would just not go anywhere near. Packing a picnic, it became such a gorgeous day out; that memory will last a while, you know?