Tomar is about 140 kilometres northeast of Lisbon. The simplest approach is by train: Comboios de Portugal runs direct trains from Lisbon's Santa Apolónia and Oriente stations, with the journey taking around two hours. Trains also connect Tomar to Santarém, from where you can continue to Porto. The train station is a five-minute walk from the town centre.
By car from Lisbon, take the A1 motorway north and exit at Torres Novas or Entroncamento, then follow the IC9 east. The journey is about 90 minutes in light traffic. Parking in the town centre is generally easy except during the Festa dos Tabuleiros years.
Tomar is not well-served by bus from Lisbon — the train is faster and more convenient. From Coimbra, there are bus connections via Entroncamento.