Algarve Transportation

  Trains at the train station
by HORSCHECK
 
  • Trains at the train station
      Trains at the train station
    by HORSCHECK
  • Lisboa - Faro IC train sign
      Lisboa - Faro IC train sign
    by HORSCHECK
  • Explore Faro on foot
      Explore Faro on foot
    by HORSCHECK
  • Faro to Sevilla bus
      Faro to Sevilla bus
    by HORSCHECK
  • Local bus at Faro bus terminal
      Local bus at Faro bus terminal
    by HORSCHECK
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Good Car Rental in Algarve

by UkJoeK

I used You Drive at www.you-drive.cc last August. They have a very friendly and professional service and the car was brand new. I recommend and will use them again.I used other companies before but I got very impressed with the service from this company. The rep is a very nice person, the car was brand new and the price was very fair for the service I had. They even knew it was my birthday and congratulated me. Wow!Tip: book early, they usually have good deals for advanced bookings.

Bus Algarve to Seville and Malaga

by cubsur

I have the bus timetables on my website at www.algarvebus.info/001.htmBeware that schedules are very limited on Saturdays and Sundays (only two buses each day and one of those at 2am)until 1st June and after mid-October.The bus terminal in Faro is right in the middle of the city close to the Marina and railway station - see www.algarvebus.info/005.htm for a map.The buses end in Seville at the Plaza de Armas terminal which is on the western edge of the city centre. I do not know of any hotels nearby; others can I am sure help but note that one of the ALSA buses through Faro to Seville is a direct journey to Malaga but does involve travelling at fairly unpleasant hours!

Bus or train Malage to the Algarve

by cubsur

There is a one daily bus direct from Malaga to Faro etc operated by ALSA (www.alsa.es)but this leaves at 9pm and arrives in Faro at 2am. This is not helpful!Alternatively you can travel by train or bus between Malaga and Seville from where there are buses into the Algarve.I have all the current bus information Seville - Algarve on my website at www.algarvebus.info/001.htmAlso, so far as I am aware, many hire-car companies do not allow cross-border travel and those that do make a very large additional charge for so doing.

Left Luggage at Faro Airport

by DeltaD

The staff at Faro airport seem to be unaware that there is a left luggage facility in the car park opposite and about 50 metres from the terminal arrivals exit.The facility appears to be secure and is operated in the same manner as a car park as when coins are inserted the locker locks and a ticket is supplied. This ticket when inserted on return will open the locker. There are 3 sizes of locker and a free telephone for assistance. It is a particularly useful facility if, as we were, you have time to kill before travelling on. There is an efficient and regular bus service close by to Faro and to Faro beach.Just to repeat: 3 separate airport employees advised us in the terminal that there was no left luggage facility at the airport.

Train Service Algarve (Portugal) to Lisbon

by cubsur

Trains leave Faro for Lisbon every day at these times:0655, 0905, 1308, 1455 and 1700. There is an extra train at 1905 on Sundays in the winter and every day in the summer.The 0655 and 1455 are fast trains (Alfa Pendular) taking 3 hours for the journey to Lisbon; the others are slower, taking 4 hours.In the return direction, trains leave Lisbon Oriente station at 0840, 1020, 1320, 1720, 1840 every day and an extra train at 1920 on Fridays during the winter and every day during the summer. These trains also stop at Lisbon Entrecampos Station 10 minutes after leaving Oriente.The 0840 and 1840 are the fast trains.Ticket price (2nd class) on the fast trains is €19.50, €18.00 on the others, if booked on line.Reservations are essential; ticket sales open 30 days before travel.These trains also stop at Loule, Albufeira and Tunes. There are connecting trains to/from other Algarve...

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General

by Balam

Getting to and travelling around Portugal is as convenient these days as any other destination in Europe, with good connections facilitated by modern airports and a network of highly efficient transport terminals located up and down the country.Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores have airports served by TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier, which has direct flights to Lisbon from a number of destinations including England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, the USA and Canada. Most major European airlines fly to Lisbon, while a succession of charter flights operate during the summer, especially to the Algarve. There are also international flights to Porto in the north and Faro in the south. Direct and regular bus services operate from France, Spain and England, while train connections from France and Spain provide regular scenic stops en route.If you're driving from England,...

Trains to and from the Algarve

by zweiblumen

The Algarve has a decent local train service linking Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the East to Lagos in the West. There are also reasonable connections to and from Lisbon with 5 trains daily to and from the capital. The trains stop at Tunes, Albufeira, Loule and Faro - Change at Tunes for Silves, Portimao and Lagos.

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Car Hire

by zweiblumen

Although the Algarve is well served by its local bus network (www.eva-bus.net), to be able to get around at your own convenience and to see those out of the way places you really have to hire a car. The Algarve may be Portugal's most visited region but the roads are surprisingly quiet outside of the main tourist resorts. A small hatchback will cost between 90 and 160 Euros for one week's hire depending on the time of year, this does not include petrol however.

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Train

by micas_pt

Arriving in Algarve by train is also comfortable, easy and fast. And surely is much cheaper than by car. There are daily trains that leave from Lisbon – the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how much stops there are and which is your final station. The journey till Tunes is common; then at this location you should change your train if you are heading to Lagos; otherwise, if you are heading to Faro there is no need to change to another train, as this one continues the journey till that final station. To travel between Lisbon and Albufeira, a 1st class ticket costs about 17euro. These tickets might be bought at the company’s website and if bought online they are 10% cheaper. Notice that you must buy them on a computer connected to a printer, as they generate a pdf file with the ticket that you must print in order to show it inside the train. Other places where you might buy...

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Car

by micas_pt

Arriving in Algarve is very easy and fast, both driving from Lisbon or Porto. There is a highway connecting north to south and afterwards there is a highway that crosses Algarve from east to west, making it quick and easy to reach any location by the coast. The highway that crosses Algarve (Via do Infante – A22) is free of charge (2005). The highway from north to south is not free and prices vary according to the city you enter. Driving from Lisbon would be around 15euros per trip (2005), whereas if you start in Porto you would pay about 30euro per trip. Usually, when planning road trips I use the www.viamichelin.com online maps (free). Most of parking spaces inside villages in Algarve are paid, and may be overcrowded, depending on season.

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Top 3 Hotels in Algarve

Sheraton Algarve Hotel at Pine Cliffs Resort Albufeira  Albufeira

 1 Review and 411 Opinions  I stayed two nights here in December 2004. The pools & garden are very nice. There is a indoor pool,... 

 Hotels in Albufeira

Aqualuz Aparthotel  Lagos

 2 Reviews and 144 Opinions  Very good self-catering apartments. Very busy during August so have to book well in advance.... 

 Hotels in Lagos

Tivoli Carvoeiro  Faro

 1 Review and 382 Opinions  Rooms are in need of a makeover - ours was noisey especially in the evening in the form of... 

 Hotels in Faro

Questions and Answers

Maurizioago profile photo

Q:  Is it better I book my hotel in Albufeira or Lagos if I am going to visit Monchique; by public bus? How long would the journey... 

cubsur profile photo

A: Lagos would be much better, Portimão better still!. The buses to Monchique leave from Portimão, which is 20 minutes by fast bus or train from Lagos, 40 minutes by the... 

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