Getting to Ericeira

From Lisbon by car

The fastest route is via the A8 motorway, roughly 40 minutes from central Lisbon and about the same from Lisbon Airport. The A21 branches off near Malveira and drops you straight into Ericeira. A car is the most flexible option, especially if you plan to surf different beaches or take day trips.

From Lisbon by bus

Carris Metropolitana runs buses from Campo Grande in Lisbon. The express service reaches Ericeira in around 45 minutes, while standard lines take closer to 90. Buses are more frequent on weekdays and thinner on Sundays, so check the Carris Metropolitana site or app for current timetables before you travel.

The bus stop in Ericeira sits a little east of the centre, about a 1.5 km walk to the old town, an easy downhill on arrival and a steeper climb on the way back.

Is there a train to Ericeira?

No. There is no train to Ericeira and no railway station in the town. The nearest lines run well inland and do not serve this stretch of coast usefully, so the realistic choices are the Carris Metropolitana bus from Campo Grande or a car via the A8 and A21.

From Lisbon Airport

Lisbon Airport (LIS) is the closest airport to Ericeira, around 45 minutes away by road. If you are driving, a hire car collected at the airport makes the whole trip simplest. By public transport, take the metro or a short taxi to Campo Grande, then the Carris Metropolitana bus to Ericeira. A taxi or pre-booked transfer runs door to door and is worth it with a board or a group.

From Porto

Coming from the north, Porto is about three hours away by motorway, down the A1 and across to the A8. There is no direct public-transport link, so the usual approach is to take a train or bus to Lisbon and change onto the Ericeira bus at Campo Grande. With time to spare, the drive is the simplest single-trip option.

Ericeira to Lisbon Airport for your flight

For departures, allow a comfortable margin. By car, budget around an hour to the airport with traffic and drop-off. By bus, ride to Campo Grande and connect to the metro; first and last departures vary by season and day of the week, so confirm the current timetable on the Carris Metropolitana site the night before. If your flight is early, a pre-booked taxi or transfer removes the guesswork.

Parking in Ericeira

Parking is generally free around the edges of town, but the closer you get to the old town and the popular beaches, the harder it becomes, especially on summer afternoons. The car parks above Ribeira d’Ilhas and the southern beaches fill from mid-morning in July and August. The simplest approach is to park on the outskirts and walk in, since the centre is small and mostly downhill toward the sea.

Getting around and the beach bus

The old town is compact and best explored on foot. In summer a seasonal beach bus links the main surf beaches between Ribeira d’Ilhas and Foz do Lizandro, handy if you are travelling with a board and without a car. Taxis and rideshare are available but limited, so plan ahead in the evenings.

On to Peniche and the surf coast

Ericeira makes a good base for the wider surf coast. Peniche is about 50 minutes north by car via the A8, with Baleal and its beach breaks just beyond. By bus you will usually change at Torres Vedras or Lourinhã, so a car is far simpler for hopping between towns. Mafra, Sintra and the Lisbon coast are all within an easy drive south.