Crossing the Tagus: Your Ultimate Guide to the Ferry to Costa da Caparica

There is a specific kind of magic that lives in the air of Lisbon, but it’s a magic that requires a counterbalance. The city is a symphony of seven hills, yellow trams rattling over cobbles, and the intoxicating aroma of roasting almonds and sea salt carried off the Tagus. But sometimes, the soul craves not the river, but the ocean. It craves the raw, Atlantic slap of cold water and the endless, horizon-stretching blue. For the people of Lisbon, that antidote is a short drive or a quick ferry ride away: Costa da Caparica.

For years, I treated the journey across the Tagus estuary as a logistical hurdle, a thing to be endured rather than enjoyed. I’d sit in traffic on the 25 de Abril Bridge, watching the container ships glide silently below, feeling the minutes tick away. Then, I discovered the ferry. Not the massive car ferry, but the passenger vessels that cut through the water with a satisfying speed, offering a view of the city skyline that you simply cannot get from the asphalt of a bridge. It changed everything. The journey became part of the destination.

This guide is born from hundreds of those crossings—morning trips where the mist hangs low over the water, and evening returns where the sun sets the city ablaze in gold. It’s for you, the traveler looking to escape the city’s embrace for a day (or a week) of sun, sand, and seafood. We’re going to talk schedules, prices, booking hacks, and the sensory details of the Caparica coastline. So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s plan your Atlantic escape.

The Crossing: Choosing Your Vessel

Before you can feel the sand between your toes, you have to get across the water. You have two primary options, and the one you choose depends entirely on your style, your budget, and how much you love the feeling of wind in your hair.

Option 1: The Passenger Ferry (The "Cacilheiro") - The Romantic's Choice

This is the one I recommend for almost everyone, especially if you are on foot or on a bicycle. These are smaller, faster boats designed specifically for passengers. The journey is smooth, the views are panoramic, and there is something deeply satisfying about arriving in Caparica via the sea.

• The Operator: The service is primarily run by Transtejo & Soflusa. Their blue and white boats are a familiar sight.
• The Experience: You’ll board at the Cais do Sodré terminal. The ride itself takes about 15-20 minutes. You can stand on the open deck, feeling the sun on your face and the spray of the Atlantic, or you can sit inside where the air conditioning offers a cool respite on hot summer days. I always recommend the deck. Watching the city shrink behind you while the massive red suspension of the 25 de Abril Bridge looms overhead is a core Lisbon memory.
• Departure Point: Cais do Sodré. This is a major transport hub. If you’re coming from the Baixa or Chiado area, it’s a lovely 10-15 minute walk downhill along the river. If you’re coming from elsewhere, the "Linha Verde" (Green Line) metro drops you right there, as do numerous buses. The ferry terminal is clearly marked; you’ll see the ticket machines and the turnstiles right by the water’s edge.
• Arrival Point: Cais de Caparica. This is the main ferry terminal in Costa da Caparica. From here, you are a pleasant 15-minute walk from the main town center, the market, and the beach promenade. There are also local buses and Ubers/taxis readily available right outside the terminal to take you to specific beach access points or the town.

Option 2: The Car Ferry - The Practical Choice

If you have a car, this is your only option. It’s also a great choice if you are traveling in a large group, have heavy beach gear (think umbrellas, multiple coolers, kids' toys), or simply want the convenience of having your vehicle on the other side to explore the wider Caparica coast, which stretches for over 15 kilometers of pristine sand.

• The Operator: Also Transtejo & Soflusa.
• The Experience: The car ferry is a larger, more industrial affair. The crossing takes about 25-30 minutes. You’ll stay in your car for the crossing, listening to the low thrum of the engines and the cry of seagulls. It’s less scenic but undeniably practical. You can roll your windows down and let the sea air in. There is a small kiosk on board for coffee and snacks.
• Departure Point: Porto Brandão. This is located on the south side of the river, across from Almada. You can reach it by driving through the southern suburbs of Lisbon or by taking the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and then a short bus/taxi ride to the car terminal. It’s a bit of a logistical dance if you don't have a car, which is why the passenger ferry is usually simpler.
• Arrival Point: Caparica Terminal. This is a separate, larger terminal designed for vehicles, located just west of the passenger Cais de Caparica. From here, you drive straight out onto the main road leading into town.

The Heart of the Matter: Timetables and Prices (2025)

This is where the details matter. Schedules change based on the day of the week and the season (summer schedules are always more frequent). The prices are set by the operator, but I’ll break them down so you know exactly what to expect. Note: Prices are subject to change, always check the official Transtejo & Soflusa website for the absolute latest.

Passenger Ferry Prices (Cais do Sodré ↔ Cais de Caparica)

This is priced in zones. Caparica is typically in Zone 2. The great news is that the system is designed for easy, spontaneous travel without high booking fees.

Ticket Type	Approx. Price	Notes
Single Ticket (Zapping/Contactless)	€1.30	The cheapest way. Use a "Zapping" card or tap your contactless credit/debit card directly at the turnstile.
Single Ticket (Cash/Physical)	€1.95	Always more expensive. Avoid cash if you can.
Round-Trip (Ida e Volta)	~€2.60	No specific discounted round-trip ticket. Pay for a single journey each way with Zapping/contactless.
Bicycles	€1.30	Folding bikes are free. Non-folding bikes require a standard passenger fare.

Passenger Ferry Timetables (General Guide)

• Weekdays (Mon-Fri): Ferries run roughly every 30-45 minutes, starting from around 6:30 AM until midnight. The first boat is for commuters, and the service is steady throughout the day. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the quietest times.
• Weekends (Sat-Sun): The frequency increases, especially on sunny days. You can expect a boat every 20-30 minutes from 9:00 AM onwards. The last boat back to Lisbon is often around midnight, but it’s wise to check the schedule on the day if you plan on a late return.
• Holidays: Treat these like weekends, with an even higher frequency during peak summer months (July and August).

Car Ferry Prices (Porto Brandão ↔ Caparica Terminal)

This is where it gets more expensive, as you’re paying for the vehicle.

• Standard Car (Up to 5m length): Approximately €8.90 for a one-way journey. A round trip will be around €17.80.
• Motorcycle: Around €5.50 one-way.
• Passenger in Vehicle: The driver is usually included in the vehicle price. Additional adult passengers might be charged a small fee (around €1.00). Check the specific fare structure for your vehicle type.

Welcome to Costa da Caparica: What to Do When You Land

You’ve made the crossing. The sun feels different here, sharper, more Atlantic. The breeze is cooler. You’re on the edge of a vast stretch of coastline that is the playground of Lisbon. Here’s how to dive in.

The Beaches: A 15km Stretch of Sand

Caparica isn’t one beach; it’s a series of them, stretching north and south from the main town. They are numbered, which makes navigation easy. The main promenade, the Avenida José Afonso, is your spine.

• Praia da Caparica (Praia 1): This is the closest beach to the town center and the ferry terminal. It’s a wide, sweeping expanse of sand with a long wooden boardwalk. This is the most social beach, lined with colorful beach huts (barracas) and a string of fantastic restaurants and bars right on the sand. In the summer, it’s buzzing with energy, music, and families.
• Praia da Rainha (Praia 5): A short walk north from the main beach, this is a local favorite. It feels a bit more tucked away, with smaller, family-run restaurants that serve incredible seafood at slightly more reasonable prices. The water here is just as inviting, but the crowds are a little thinner.
• Praia Morena (Praia 9): If you walk or take the local bus further north, you’ll find Morena. This area starts to feel wilder. The dunes are higher, the vegetation is more resilient, and the Atlantic waves are more pronounced. It’s a magnet for surfers. Here you’ll find surf schools offering lessons and board rentals. The vibe is laid-back, bohemian, and a little bit gritty. It’s my personal favorite for an afternoon of sunbathing and watching the surfers carve up the waves.

The Food: The Smell of Grilled Fish

You cannot come to Caparica and not eat seafood. It’s a culinary commandment. The restaurants here are not fancy; they are functional, loud, and focused on one thing: fresh fish, grilled to perfection over charcoal. My go-to order is a dourada (golden bream) or a robalo (sea bass). It arrives whole, head and all, its skin blistered and salty, the flesh underneath steaming, flaky, and white. You eat it with your fingers, squeezing a wedge of lemon over it, and scooping up the tender meat from the bones.

Don't miss:

• O Pescador: A classic spot on the main promenade. Always busy, always good.
• Marisqueira Caparica: For when you’re in the mood for prawns, clams (ameijoas à Bulhão Pato), and crab.
• Chimarrão: A small, unassuming restaurant near the market, known for its incredible fish stew (caldeirada).

Final Thoughts: Why the Ferry Matters

In a world of high-speed trains and budget airlines, there is something profoundly human about a short sea crossing. The ferry to Costa da Caparica is more than just a mode of transport; it’s a ritual of transition. It’s the act of stepping out of the urban, historical, cobbled world of Lisbon and into the elemental, timeless world of the Atlantic.

It’s a journey that costs little but pays back in spades with views, sensations, and a sense of escape. The booking is fast and free of hassle, the schedule is reliable, and the destination is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Portugal. So next time you’re in Lisbon, when the city heat becomes too much and the call of the sea grows too strong, don’t just head for the bridge. Head for Cais do Sodré. Tap your card. Step aboard. And let the river carry you to the ocean.