While most Portuguese tourists prefer to use their own car to explore the Algarve, visitors from other countries generally depend on public transport. However, renting a vehicle is often the better choice, allowing access to more isolated and attractive beaches that public transport does not reach. Here is a guide to help you choose between renting a car or using trains and buses.
Accessibility in the Algarve
Accessibility in the Algarve
How to get around in the Algarve by car and public transport (buses, trains, taxis, and Uber)
Book your airport transfer in the Algarve
So you’ve arranged a vacation in the stunning Algarve. Wondering how to travel from Faro Airport to your hotel? We suggest booking an airport transfer in advance. By organizing your travel details early, you can ensure a stress-free arrival. In this article, we’ll explain why choosing an airport transfer is the perfect way to kick off your vacation smoothly and provide you with an option to book your transfer right away.
When you land at Faro Airport, several transportation options are available to get to your destination. Each method has its pros and cons compared to arranging an airport transfer in advance.
By taxi:
One downside of taxis is their cost, which tends to be higher when hailed directly at the airport rather than pre-booking an airport transfer.
By Uber:
Using Uber can be less reliable because you depend on the availability of drivers, potentially leading to lengthy wait times.
By bus:
Buses run on fixed schedules and may not provide direct routes to your hotel, which can complicate your journey.
Renting a car:
While renting a car is often suggested as the best way to explore the Algarve, it is generally more costly than opting for an airport transfer.
booking an airport transfer in advance is typically the most straightforward and cost-effective way to start your holiday in the Algarve, avoiding the potential drawbacks of other transportation options.
Car travel in the Algarve.
The fastest and most comfortable way to get around the Algarve is undoubtedly by car. There are two main roads that connect the major cities to the smaller beaches and towns—the N125 national road and the A22 motorway (also known as Via do Infante). The N125 is free, but travel takes longer because it passes through the center of many towns, with many traffic lights and some traffic, especially in the high season. It offers the possibility to stop at restaurants, supermarkets, and tourist attractions along the way, and the scenery is also more pleasant than that of the motorway. The A22 has tolls, but it is the fastest way to reach most destinations. Typically, rental cars are equipped with an electronic toll device, allowing use of the automatic payment lane (the ‘Via Verde’) on all Portuguese motorways without having to stop. On the A22, all tolls are electronic, with no option for manual payment. If the vehicle has the device, tolls are paid when the car is returned. If it does not have the device, electronic toll payments can be made at CTT post offices, a Payshop agent, or online at ascendi.pt or pagamentodeportagens.pt. To get an idea of what the tolls might cost, do a simulation at infraestruturasdeportugal.pt.
Renting a Car in the Algarve
Renting a car, although more expensive than using public transportation, offers significant time savings and provides the freedom to explore more remote areas, making it the most advantageous option. It is advisable to book the vehicle online, choosing the pickup point. For tourists, the most common location is Faro Airport, also recommended for those not arriving by plane due to more competitive prices, a result of the wide availability of rental companies. In the arrivals area of the airport, look for signs directing to the car rental agencies, located outside the terminal. Major companies such as Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Guerin, Hertz, and Sixt, as well as some lesser-known low-cost smaller rental companies (which may have lower prices but usually include mileage limitations and non-comprehensive insurance), are present. It is recommended to opt for a comprehensive insurance without deductible, covering all potential damages, including minor scratches that can easily occur, especially on dirt roads leading to secluded beaches. Rental companies require a security deposit via credit card, which is refunded upon the car’s return if there are no damages. Generally, the car is picked up with a full tank and must be returned in the same condition; otherwise, an additional charge will be made to your card. There are gas stations near the airport, with the nearest about a minute away.
Taxis or Uber in the Algarve
Although taxis offer a more convenient and comfortable mode of transport compared to buses or trains, they are a significantly more expensive option. They are better suited for short trips, such as traveling from a beach resort to the city center for dinner. Furthermore, they are a practical alternative for trips from the airport to the center of Faro. For trips from the airport to other locations in the Algarve, it is advisable to book a transfer service, which tends to be more cost-effective than a taxi. Traditional taxis accommodate up to four passengers and are equipped with a meter.
Services like Uber and Bolt are also available in the Algarve and are generally cheaper than traditional taxis. These services are convenient and work well in major cities and their outskirts, such as Faro, Albufeira, and Lagos. However, in more easterly towns like Tavira, vehicle availability is still limited, resulting in longer wait times, if a driver is available at all.
Trains in the Algarve
The railway network in the Algarve stretches from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, on the border with Spain (although there is no direct connection to the neighboring country). Trains stop at major cities such as Silves, Portimão, Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Olhão, and Tavira. The stations in Lagos, Faro, Olhão, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António are well located, but interestingly, the stations in Silves, Portimão, Albufeira, and Loulé are far from city centers, making buses a better public transport option for these locations. All trains are operated by CP (Comboios de Portugal), and tickets can be purchased in advance online at cp.pt, often at a discount if bought well in advance. For those wishing to travel by train from Lisbon to Faro in the Algarve, there is a direct service, but reaching other destinations in the region requires connections in Faro or Tunes. Unlike long-distance trains departing from Lisbon, regional trains do not offer first and second class or reserved seating.
For those planning multiple train journeys in the Algarve, the best option is the “Tourist Ticket,” which allows unlimited travel for two or three consecutive days. This ticket is available at station ticket offices and is only valid on the Algarve line, not applicable to long-distance trains such as Intercidades or Alfa Pendular to Lisbon or Porto. Train stations in the Algarve are generally small and provide little information, some even lack announcements of train arrivals at platforms.
Buses in the Algarve
Traveling by bus in the Algarve can be less convenient, as many routes have few daily departures and services are reduced on weekends, even during the summer. For those without a car, buses may be the only (or best) way to reach popular destinations like Sagres and Silves. The company “Vamus” operates throughout the Algarve region, along with urban services in Faro (called “Próximo”), Portimão (the “Vai e Vem”), and Albufeira (the “Giro”). Typically, tickets are purchased at station ticket offices or directly from the driver when boarding at a street stop, and only cash is accepted, preferably the exact amount to facilitate change.
The “Aerobus” number 56 by Vamus connects Faro Airport to cities such as Albufeira, Lagoa, Portimão, and Lagos, with seven departures daily at spaced intervals between 9:45 AM and 6:45 PM. To visit other areas of the Algarve from the airport, one must take a bus to the center of Faro and then connect to other destinations. Buses to the center of Faro depart approximately every half hour, and the journey takes about 20 minutes. The final stop of each bus is usually indicated at the front of the vehicle, sometimes on a paper affixed to the windshield. For updated information on schedules and routes, visit the Vamus website.
Ticket prices range from €3 to €7, depending on the distance. There is also the option to purchase a Tourist Pass which allows unlimited travel on Vamus buses for a period of 3 or 7 days (costing €35 and €45, respectively). Most buses in major towns operate from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. However, many of the smaller and more remote villages on the coast have limited or nonexistent bus services, especially on weekdays. Schedules can be inaccurate, especially during the summer and on routes between Lagos and Albufeira, due to traffic. At some stops, a QR code available can be scanned to check the location of the next bus.
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