Getting Around the Algarve: Car, Train and Bus

The Algarve stretches about 150km along the south coast, with resorts, villages and beaches spread between Sagres and the Spanish border. Here’s how to get around: by car, by the regional train, by bus, or with transfers and taxis.

Quick answer: a car is the easiest way to explore beaches and villages, and the A22 motorway is now toll-free. Without a car, the Algarve regional train links Lagos, Portimão, Silves, Faro, Olhão and Tavira (some stations are outside town), and Vamus buses connect the resorts. Taxis, Uber and Bolt fill the gaps.

Which option suits you?

The right choice depends on your plans. If you want to hop between beaches, see the wild west coast or drive up into the hills around Monchique, hire a car. If you’re staying in one town and only want a couple of day trips, the train and buses are enough. Many visitors mix the two: a few days car-free in a town like Lagos or Tavira, then a car for two or three days of exploring.

By car

• Freedom: reach coves, the west coast and inland villages.
• Roads: the A22 (Via do Infante) runs the length of the Algarve, from near Lagos to the Spanish border. Its tolls were scrapped on 1 January 2025, so it costs nothing to use. The N125 is the slower coastal road, busy with roundabouts and local traffic.
• Driving times: roughly an hour from Faro to Lagos on the A22, and around 30 minutes from Faro to Tavira. Allow longer in July and August.
• Parking: hard to find near popular beaches in summer, so arrive early. Many towns have paid car parks on the edge of the old centre, and old town lanes are often narrow or pedestrian-only.
• Rental: book early for summer. See car rental and driving in Portugal. Other motorways in Portugal still charge tolls, so read Portugal tolls explained if you’re driving from Lisbon.

By train

• The line: Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António via Portimão, Silves, Tunes, Faro, Olhão and Tavira. CP (Comboios de Portugal) runs the regional trains.
• New electric trains: since 19 July 2026 the whole line has been electric, with bigger trains and about 18% more regional services. Some trains now run straight through from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, and two faster InterRegional trains a day make fewer stops.
• Frequency: roughly one train an hour between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António, and one every two hours between Faro and Lagos, with extra trains at busy times.
• Pros: cheap and scenic, especially in the east, where the line runs close to the Ria Formosa lagoon.
• Cons: slower than driving, and some stations (like Albufeira’s) are a taxi ride from town. Not every train runs right through, so some journeys between the western and eastern halves still need a change at Faro.
• Tickets: buy at the station or on the CP website or app. Check current timetables, as services are less frequent than in Lisbon or Porto.
• Connections: change at Tunes or Faro for trains to Lisbon. See Lisbon to the Algarve and the Portugal train guide.

Best towns for train travel

Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Lagos all have stations within walking distance of the centre, which makes them good car-free bases. Silves station is about 2km from town, so plan on a taxi or a local bus.

By bus

Vamus Algarve runs regional buses between the main towns and resorts, including the airport line. Buses reach many places the train doesn’t, such as Albufeira town, Carvoeiro and Sagres. Inside Faro, the local Próximo buses link the airport with the city centre. Check current timetables before you travel, as some routes run less often in winter and on Sundays. See Faro airport transfers and travelling Portugal by bus.

• Airport to Faro: Próximo line 16 runs from the airport to the city centre in about 20 minutes, usually every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning until around midnight. Fares are a couple of euros, often paid in cash on board.
• Aerobus: Vamus line 56 runs from Faro airport to Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos. It’s seasonal: several buses a day from May to October, but only a couple a day in winter.
• Tickets and passes: buy on board, at ticket offices or in the Vamus app. For a long stay, the monthly Passe Algarve (about €40) covers the Vamus network, except the Aerobus.

Taxis, ride-hailing and transfers

Uber and Bolt operate in the main towns, and taxis are easy to find. In quieter villages and on the west coast, cars can be scarce, so don’t rely on an app for your trip home late at night. Pre-booked transfers are best from the airport, especially with luggage or children. See Uber vs Bolt vs taxi.

• Taxi fares: under rules brought in during 2026, taxis charge a starting fee plus distance and time, and no longer add extra for luggage. Calling a taxi by phone can still cost a little more.
• Apps: since 1 September 2026 there’s no legal cap on Uber and Bolt surge pricing, so prices can rise sharply at busy times; compare before you book. A new law will also let taxis take app bookings, but it hadn’t started by mid-October 2026.

Boats and bikes

• Ferries to the Ria Formosa islands from Faro, Olhão and Tavira. Timetables change with the season. See ferries.
• Cycling: the Ecovia coastal route. The flatter eastern section is the easiest to ride. See cycling.

Practical tips

• Pick your base well: if you want to go car-free, stay near a station or a main bus stop.
• East or west: the west has dramatic cliffs and coves, the east has long sandy islands and quieter towns. See east vs west Algarve.
• Summer traffic: roads into Albufeira, Vilamoura and the beaches are busiest late morning and late afternoon.
• Carry some cash for buses and small car parks, as card payment isn’t accepted everywhere.

FAQ

Is there a train station at Faro airport?

No. Take Próximo bus 16 or a taxi to Faro, about 20 minutes, then catch the train from Faro station. For Albufeira, Portimão or Lagos, the seasonal Aerobus goes direct.

Do you need a car in the Algarve?

Not if you stay in a town with a station, like Lagos, Faro or Tavira. For the west coast, remote beaches and inland villages, a car makes life much easier.

Can you get from Lagos to Tavira by train?

Yes. Since July 2026 many (but not all) trains run straight through from Lagos towards Vila Real de Santo António. On others you change at Faro, so check the timetable.

Flying into Faro? Book a fixed-price pickup with Welcome Pickups. An English-speaking driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight if it’s late, and child seats can be added when you book.

More: where to stay in the Algarve and the 7-day Algarve itinerary.

See also: Porto to the Algarve.

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