Getting around the Algarve
You’re heading to the south of Portugal and wondering what the public transport in AgarveAreyou looking to rent a car in the Algarve? Below you will learn in detail how to travel in the Algarve.
The Algarve is a region of southern Portugal that is relatively small. The Algarve is 40 kilometers wide from the ocean inland and stretches 140 kilometers along the Atlantic coast from the Guadiana River dividing Portugal from Spain in the east to Cape St. Vincent in the west.
Getting around the Algarve is fairly easy. The main towns are fairly well connected with each other. We can choose between the A22 toll highway or the EN125 national road that stretches through the region . The best option, of course , is to travel by car, with which we can reach every corner of the region quite quickly. Alternatively, the Algarve also has a functioning public transportationwith which we are able to get to the larger towns and cities.
How to get to the Algarve from Poland?
The easiest way to reach the Algarve is to fly into Faro Airport (FAO), the only international airport in the region.
The following are available from Poland direct flights (seasonal) from Warsaw and Krakow, and year-round you can get to Faro with a connecting flight from Lisbon, Porto, London or Frankfurt.
Alternatively, you can fly to Lisbon and drive to the Algarve from there:
By train – about 3 hours to Faro, cost €20-30. Check connections here >>.
By bus – similar transit time, prices from 15-25€. Check connections here >>.
By rented car – it takes 2.5 hours to travel along the A2 highway.
With various transportation options, the Algarve is well connected and easily accessible for travelers!
To find the optimal connection, it is worth using a flight search engine. I personally use the Kayak website, which shows all available direct options and combinations of flights on specific days as well as flexible time frames.
Car rental in Algarve
If you have a driver’s license and do not own a car, renting a car seems to be one of the most convenient options. There are quite a lot of rental companies at Faro airport, from which you can easily rent a car. It is also possible to rent a car in the main cities of the Algarve, while this option is definitely more expensive. Car prices go up sharply during the tourist season, which lasts from the beginning of June to the end of October. If you want to go to the Algarve for a vacation during this period, it is worth booking a car in advance as there are times when there is a shortage of cars. If you are traveling with children, rental companies often have an option to rent an extra paid child seat . Rental companies’ offers vary in price depending on the class of car and insurance. The best deals can be found at Rental Cars.
You can also rent a car in the Algarve or at Lisbon airport with no deposit, credit card and full insurance from the reliable and friendly company Moje Algarve where you will be served inPolish. The full offer can be found here >>.
Public transport in the Algarve
If we want to move around the Algarve’s main cities and nearby attractions, we can use public transportation. There are definitely more connections in high season than in winter. We have at our disposal comfortable buses, trainsor cabs.
Buses in the Algarve
As the Algarve gains popularity as a tourist destination, more and more carriers are also emerging to offer transportation both within the region and connections to other parts of the country.
Here is a list of carriers operating in the Algarve:
- Flixbus – connections between Lisbon and major Algarve cities
- Próximo – connections inside Faro
- Eva – intercity connections in the Algarve
- Frota Azul Algarve – connections throughout Portugal
Where to buy a bus ticket in the Algarve?
Tickets can be purchased directly at the bus station or online. It’s a good idea to use a bus search engine, which will show us all the carriers, connection times and prices with the option to book online. I recommend using Busbud or Omio – portals where you can find connections and buy tickets securely online.
Trains in the Algarve
The railroad in the Algarve is not very developed but is quite a popular and convenient choice. The train (pt. comboio) is not one of the most modern, but it serves its function and at the same time you can quietly enjoy the views outside the window. The train in the Algarve runs on the route Vila Real de Santo Antônio to Lagos.
Where to buy a train ticket in the Algarve?
Train tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at the station or on the website Comboios de Portugal or on the search engine Omio online. The railroad’s website is available in Portuguese and English. There are slower regional trains and faster intercity trains .
Train fares in the Algarve
If you plan your trip in advance, you can catch promotional prices (from 5 days of travel). Children under 3 travel for free and children aged 3-13 pay half price.
Also offered in the Algarve is the Tourist Travel Card option, which means unlimited train rides on 2 or 3 consecutive days. The cost of the ticket is:
€20.90 (2 days) or €31.90 (3 days) for adults
€15.90 (2 days) or €23.90 (3 days) for children
Below is a summary of prices and train times from Faro to the three main Algarve cities. For the current schedule and price list, check the railroad’s website.
| Kierunek z Faro | Czas podróży | cena biletu |
|---|---|---|
| Tavira | 00h:37min (R) | € 3.25 (R) |
| Albufeira | 00h:32min (R), 00h:22min (IC) | € 3.40 (R), € 9.60 (IC) |
| Lagos | 1h:45min (R) | € 7.50 (R) |
| R - pociąg regionalny, IC - pociąg intercity, dane z: 05/2022 ze strony CP. | ||
You can check current train and bus connections in the Algarve in the search engine below.
Cab and Uber in the Algarve
A good option for covering short distances in the Algarve is to take a cab or order an Uber or Bolt. We can catch a cab at a cab stand while Uber and Bolt can be ordered on the app. For a cab ride from the Faro airport to the city center you will pay about €10 – €15 (15 min ride) and for an Uber ride about €7.
