Public transport in the Algarve: this is how it works

Can you easily get around by public transport in the Algarve? Absolutely! There’s a bit of a learning curve, so check out this blog full of tips!

Table of contents hide

1 Public transport in the Algarve

2 By train in the Algarve

3 By bus in the Algarve

4 Travel options from Faro Airport

5 More tips

6 Book a trip to the Algarve

Public transport in the Algarve

While a road trip in the Algarve is always fun to do, you don’t necessarily need to rent a car to get around in this popular vacation destination in southern Portugal. Indeed, it has a surprisingly extensive public transportation network.

Buses and trains, while not as frequent as in the Netherlands, certainly go several times a day. In addition, traveling by public transport in the Algarve is very cheap. This makes it ideal for solo travelers, travelers on a budget, or those looking for a different experience.

As a solo traveler and someone who travels to the Algarve every year, I usually travel by public transport in the Algarve. By now know where to find all the buses, trains, and timetables, but it definitely took me a while to figure everything out.. In this blog, I’ll tell you more and share some practical tips for traveling by public transport in the Algarve.

By train in the Algarve

Let’s start with the train because it is often the “easiest” mode of transportation. There are several lines and they all converge in Faro, the capital of the Algarve.

Local trains (R)

The train network in the Algarve is managed by Comboios de Portugal (CP) and connects the main cities and towns in the region. The Linha do Algarve runs along the coast from Lagos in the west to Vila Real de Santo António in the east. It is divided into two parts:

Lagos – Faro (it stops in Albufeira, Silves and Portimão, among other places).
Faro – Vila Real de Santo Antonio (it stops in Olhão and Tavira, among other places).

These are slow trains and they stop at almost every station. Tickets are quite cheap and the price is fixed. So it doesn’t matter if you buy the ticket 2 weeks in advance or a few minutes before boarding, the price is the smae.

The most expensive ticket is the trip from Faro to Lagos, which costs €7.95 (2024) and that trip takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Train tickets can be purchased at the station, via the app (which is in English) or from the conductor.

The train to Faro at the station in Lagos

Intercity and Alpha Pendular

In addition, Intercity (IC) and Alpha Alfa Pendular (AP) trains also stop in Faro. These connect the city to Lisbon (3 to 3.5 hours) and Porto (6.5 to 7 hours). AP trains tend to be a little more luxurious and faster than intercity trains, but both are fine to travel long distances with.

Ticket prices depend on when you book them. The earlier you book, the cheaper they are. It’ll definitely save you some money to purchase the tickets for these trains two weeks before departure. These tickets are best booked online or at the train station.

For schedules and to buy tickets, check Comboios de Portugal, Portugal’s national train operator.

By bus in the Algarve

The train won’t get you everywhere in the Algarve, but fortunately buses go as well. The bus network in the Algarve is extensive and consists of both long-distance buses and local services. The main bus company is Vamus, which operates most routes in the region.

Buses in the Algarve

Long-distance buses connect the Algarve’s larger cities and towns, such as Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, and Tavira. They often run several times a day and are a good alternative to the train if you want to go to places that are not on the train route. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver or in advance at a bus station.

Good to know: if you get on at a bus station, they would like you to buy the tickets at one of the machines or the ticket office. If you board at a stop, you can often just pay at the bus driver’s door. You need cash for this (no card) and they often have little change.

For times and stops, check Google Maps or Algarve bus (this is not an official website, but it’s very up to date).

Local buses (city buses)

Local buses, also known as city buses, run within cities and towns, connecting major neighborhoods and attractions. In larger cities such as Faro, Lagos, and Portimão, these services are more frequent and extensive. Tickets are bought from the bus driver and are usually cheaper than long-distance buses.

For local buses, check Google Maps.

Long-distance buses (international and outside of the Algarve)

And then there are buses connecting the Algarve with other major places in Portugal. There are many buses to Lisbon, for example, as well as to Seville in Spain. These buses are often very comfortable, so you can travel on them for several hours without any problems. There is also always a (pee) stop along the way.

Well-known bus companies include Flixbus, Alsa and Rede Expressos. Ticket prices for these buses vary; the longer you wait, the more expensive they become. You can book tickets for these buses very easily through Busbud.

Bus from Rede Expressos at the bus station in Lagos

Travel options from Faro Airport

Most people start their trip in the Algarve at Faro Airport, which is why I want to mention public transportation around the airport separately in this article with tips for public transportation in the Algarve.

You cannot reach Faro Airport by train (Faro’s train station is about 6 kilometers away), but there is a bus stop in front of the departure and arrival terminal. From here you can take several buses.

City Bus 16 – This bus runs every hour between Faro bus station via Faro Airport to Praia de Faro and back. A ticket costs €2.70 (2024) and can be purchased at the bus station in Faro or from the driver. The bus takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get from the airport to the bus and train station in Faro.
AEROBUS – I only discovered this one this year (2024) because it doesn’t show up on Google Maps. It is very convenient, though, as it connects Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, Albufeira and Faro Airport. You can buy a ticket at one of the bus stations or on the bus itself.
Long-distance buses – Finally, several long-distance buses also stop at the airport bus stop. These are usually the ALSA and Flixbus between Lagos and Seville. Tickets for this can’t be purchased from the driver, but from the company’s website or through Busbud.

If you want to travel by train and it’s not convenient in terms of time with the city bus, my advice is to take an Uber to the station. There are always a few ready and you are often at the station in 10 minutes (if there is no traffic jam). An Uber ride from Faro Airport to the train station costs about €7-€8.

More tips

Here are a few additional tips for your bus or train trip in the Algarve:

Buses run less frequently on weekends and holidays than during the week. Some buses don’t even run at all on weekends. Keep this in mind.
The frequency of buses also depends on the season. For example, significantly fewer buses go in a day in winter than in summer.
There are many different bus carriers operating, which sometimes makes it quite cluttered. Because of this, not everything is on Google Maps in terms of schedules either. The best and most complete overview can be found on Algarvebus.
Trains and buses usually leave on time, so make sure you are at the station or bus stop a few minutes before departure.

These were all my tips for traveling by public transport in the Algarve. Do you have questions? Leave a note in the comments below this article.

Book a trip to the Algarve

As you can see, traveling by public transport in the Algarve is quite doable. Would you like to explore this region? Then book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets – Faro Airport is the international airport of the Algarve and the best place to start your road trip. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.

🚘 Rental Car – If you want to be flexible during your stay in the Algarve, it’s useful to rent a car. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.

🛏️ Accommodation – You can find great hotels, hostels, or apartments via Booking.com.

💊 Travel insurance – Invest in travel insurance, it will give you peace of mind during your trip. Check out Insubuy to find the travel insurance that fits your needs.

📱 E-sim – Would you like to stay connected during your trip to Portugal? With an E-sim by Airalo, you can use data almost everywhere you go in the Algarve. Use the code JACOBA4108 to get a discount.

🏄🏼 Tours & activities – There are lots of fun tours and guided trips in the Algarve. Check Get Your Guide for all the options.

Public transport in the Algarve: this is how it works

Public transport in the Algarve