Getting to Setúbal from Lisbon
Most visitors start in Lisbon (see our Lisbon guide) and reach Setúbal on the south side of the Tagus by train, by bus or by car. The journey has several parts, so plan the first and last leg too. If you land at Lisbon airport (LIS), the airport is the first step and the train or bus the second.
If you want to add a Setúbal dolphin and boat tour to your day, check the departure time before you fix a train.
Lisbon to Setúbal: your options compared
Train, bus, taxi or transfer, and car.
| Option | How it works | Cost and time |
|---|---|---|
| Fertagus train | Direct line between Lisbon city stations and Setúbal. | €5.70 single in 2026. One timetable example, Roma-Areeiro to Setúbal, takes 58 minutes. |
| Bus 4725 | Carris Metropolitana, from Lisboa Sete Rios to Setúbal Terminal Várzea. | Check the current fare and times with the operator. |
| CP Linha do Sado | A different rail service, from Barreiro to Setúbal. It is not a direct line from Lisbon. | Check the current timetable before you go. |
| Taxi or transfer | Door to door, also from Lisbon airport (LIS). | Agree the price before you ride. |
| Car | Crosses a Tagus bridge. Toll for class 1 is €2.25 on the 25 de Abril and €3.40 on the Vasco da Gama. | Bridge tolls only, not the full motorway toll. |
For most visitors, the Fertagus train is the simplest choice. The car makes sense if you plan to see the Arrábida coast, Azeitão and Sesimbra on your own schedule.
Our picks: from Lisbon without a car
This trip includes return transport from Lisbon, useful if you arrive by air and do not want to rent a car.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Setúbal tours from Lisbon and on arrival
Dolphin boats, Arrábida trips and day excursions, with live prices and availability.
By train: Fertagus and CP
Two services with similar names and different routes.
Fertagus
This is the direct service between Lisbon's city stations and Setúbal. A single costs €5.70 in 2026. A book of 5 trips costs €25.85 and 10 trips cost €46.45. The reduced single in the fare table is €3.85 and carries age and ID conditions. Children aged 4 to 12 and visitors aged 65 and over have their own conditions, so check the operator's rules.
CP Linha do Sado
CP runs the Sado line from Barreiro through Pinhal Novo to Setúbal and on to Praias do Sado. It does not run straight from the airport or from central Lisbon to Setúbal, so do not mix it up with the Fertagus. Check the current timetable before you go.
Taxi and transfer from Lisbon airport (LIS)
The easiest option with luggage.
Lisbon airport has the code LIS. A taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to reach Setúbal with luggage. Ask for the price or the meter terms before you ride. If you prefer public transport, first reach a Lisbon station and continue by Fertagus train or bus 4725.
Car hire and parking
Bridges, parking and summer beach rules.
A car lets you reach Azeitão, Sesimbra and the Arrábida coast without bus connections. Crossing the Tagus costs a bridge toll: class 1 pays €2.25 on the Ponte 25 de Abril and €3.40 on the Ponte Vasco da Gama in 2026. That is only the bridge, so the full toll on the motorway is higher. In Setúbal, public parking near the Mercado do Livramento is free, but there is no guarantee of a space.
In summer, access to some beach roads in the Arrábida is controlled. From 4 June to 15 September 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., controls apply on certain beach roads. Public transport, taxis and authorised vehicles are exempt, and being exempt does not mean free parking. The Setúbal beaches page explains the rules beach by beach.
Compare rental car prices at Lisbon Airport (LIS) for the drive to Setúbal and Arrábida on Economybookings.com.
A day trip from Lisbon to Setúbal
How to build the day.
Setúbal works as a day trip from Lisbon if you keep the plan short. Take the train in the morning, spend time in the old town and then pick one excursion rather than three. The ferry to the Tróia peninsula takes about 25 minutes, and the catamaran takes about 15 minutes. The catamaran costs €4.90 one way in 2026. Start by checking the timetable for your day and leave time for the return train.
For a boat trip on the Sado, see dolphin watching in Setúbal. For beaches, use the Arrábida summer rules above.
Getting to Setúbal: frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Lisbon to Setúbal take?
One Fertagus timetable example shows 58 minutes from Roma-Areeiro to Setúbal. That is train time only, without the airport leg or any change, and delays are possible.
How much is the Fertagus ticket?
A single costs €5.70 in 2026. A book of 5 trips costs €25.85 and 10 trips cost €46.45.
Is there a direct train from Lisbon airport to Setúbal?
Do not plan on one. Take a taxi or transfer, or go to a Lisbon station first and then continue by Fertagus or bus 4725.
What is the bridge toll?
For a class 1 car in 2026, the Ponte 25 de Abril costs €2.25 and the Ponte Vasco da Gama costs €3.40. These are bridge tolls only.
Is parking in Setúbal free?
Public parking near the Mercado do Livramento is free, but spaces are not guaranteed. Summer beach car parks follow their own rules.
Can I visit Setúbal as a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes. Pick one excursion, for example the old town or the Tróia ferry, and check the return train before you leave.