We will be in Lisbon five nights the third week of March and are trying to decide a few things:

1) Whether to stay in Lisbon or Sintra, and why to choose one or the other? (We like to explore unique and ancient things, castles, etc.) 2) Does the metro connect Sintra, Lisbon and the airport? 3) Any great accomodation recommendations under $75 per night? 4) Our best deal flight from Lisbon to Rome leaves at 6:50am, and I'm wondering how difficult or inconvenient that might be, timewise, as regards transportation to the airport?

Would appreciate any and all suggestions from an experienced "Lisbonite." Thanks!

There is an airport bus into the center. Depending on where you staying that may be better than the metro, although that does now reach the airport. I stay at the Residencial Florescente, very central, but it requires a change on the metro. For a flight that early you may need a taxi, but the airport is not that far.

See: http://www.metrolisboa.pt/eng/
http://www.golisbon.com/transport/airport-shuttle.html

There is more to do in Lisbon than Sintra. I know some people prefer to stay in Sintra or Cascais or Estoril, but I don't see the point. You can visit Sintra by train and bus from Lisbon. When I did it there was a pass you could buy that covered all transport in that area for a day, don't know whether that is still the case.

Lisbon has excellent public transport.

For the TR I wrote for one of my Lisbon trips click on my name.

I agree, stay in Lisbon---tons to see and do.

Taxis in Lisbon are plentiful and inexpensive, and the airport is close to the city. I would stay in Lisbon.

I was in Lisbon for the first time in Oct ( 4 nights)....there was so much to see, I did not even
travel to Sintra.