Lisbon to Lagos: Train, Bus or Car (2026 Guide)

Lagos sits at the western end of the Algarve, about 300km south of Lisbon. There’s no direct train, but the trip is simple by train with one change, by direct bus or by car. Here are the 2026 times, fares, stations and last departures.

Quick answer: the train takes about 3h30 to 4h10 from Lisboa Oriente with a change at Tunes, and costs about €28 to €31 one way in second class at full fare. There are five connections a day, and the last leaves Oriente at 18:32. FlixBus runs direct in about 3h40 to 3h50, mostly from Oriente, for roughly €4 to €15. Driving takes about 3 hours on the A2 and A22, with about €24 in tolls.

Train, bus or car?

The bus is direct, usually as quick as the train and often cheaper. The train has more room and a reserved seat on the long leg, but you change trains at Tunes. A car only pays off if you want one in the Algarve anyway, for Sagres, the west coast or the coves.

By train

• From: Lisboa Oriente (red metro line) or Entrecampos (yellow line). Intercidades trains also stop at Sete Rios (Jardim Zoológico, blue line), but the Alfa Pendular doesn’t. Trains to the Algarve don’t use Santa Apolónia. See Lisbon public transport.
• The change: every journey needs a change at Tunes onto the Algarve line, for the last stretch via Silves and Portimão. The connections are timed, with a wait of 5 to 30 minutes.
• Time: about 3h30 to 4h10 heading south, and about 3h45 to 4h40 heading back, as the waits at Tunes are longer.
• Trains per day: five connections each way, every day.
• Fare: about €28.40 one way in second class at full fare via the Intercidades (€23.45 to Tunes plus €4.95 for the regional train), or about €30 to €31 via the Alfa Pendular (€25.30 to Tunes in Turística class). These are CP’s 2026 prices. Some travellers, such as over-65s with ID, pay half.
• Booking: on cp.pt or the CP app, up to 60 days ahead. A seat reservation is compulsory on the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades and is included in the ticket. The regional train from Tunes has no reserved seats. Book the long leg early for CP’s cheaper promo fares.

Train times

From CP’s timetable in force since 19 July 2026. Times are for Oriente. Every train calls at Entrecampos 8 minutes later, and Intercidades trains call at Sete Rios 12 minutes later.

• Lisbon to Lagos: 08:23 (Alfa Pendular, arrives 11:53), 10:02 (arrives 14:13), 14:02 (arrives 18:13), 17:23 (Alfa Pendular, arrives 21:17) and 18:32 (arrives 22:28).
• Lagos to Lisbon: 06:20 (reaches Oriente at 10:05), 08:22 (12:56), 13:22 (17:56), 15:22 (19:05) and 17:18 (21:56).

The 08:23 is the fastest of the day, as it meets a faster InterRegional train at Tunes. The 18:32 leaves only 5 minutes to change at Tunes, and CP says connections are only guaranteed when trains run normally, so the 17:23 is the safer evening choice. More in the Portugal train guide.

What’s new on the Algarve line

The whole Algarve line has run electric trains since 19 July 2026, with bigger trains and about 18% more regional services. Some trains now run straight through between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António, but trains from Lisbon end at Faro, so you still change at Tunes. See getting around the Algarve.

Arriving at Lagos station

Lagos station is the end of the line, on the east side of the river next to the marina. Walk across the footbridge by the marina and you reach the riverside avenue, with the old town squares about 10 to 15 minutes from the station on foot. The old town lanes are cobbled and some are steep, so with heavy bags a taxi to your hotel is worth it.

By bus

• FlixBus: about 8 to 12 direct buses a day, almost all from the bus stops at Oriente station, plus a morning bus from the Sete Rios terminal. Daytime buses take about 3h40 to 3h50.
• Fares: roughly €4 to €15 one way on FlixBus in 2026, cheapest when booked a few weeks ahead.
• Last departures: the last daytime FlixBus leaves Oriente at about 18:15 and reaches Lagos at about 22:05. Night buses also run, leaving Oriente in the small hours. Heading back, the last evening bus leaves Lagos at about 19:30.
• Rede Expressos: the national coach company also runs Lisbon to Lagos, from its main terminal at Sete Rios, next to Jardim Zoológico metro. Check its website or app for current times and fares.
• Arrival: the Lagos bus terminal, on the town side of the river by the marina. The old town squares are about 10 minutes away on foot.

Summer and Friday buses fill up, so book online. See Portugal by bus.

By car

• Route: cross the Tagus, take the A2 south, then the A22 west to Lagos where the two meet near Albufeira. It’s about 300km and roughly 3 hours without stops.
• Tolls: about €24 each way on the A2 (€23.80 for a normal car in 2026). Take a ticket on the way in and pay at the booth on the way out, or use the Via Verde lane only if your hire car has a device. The A22 has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, and the Tagus bridges only charge heading into Lisbon. See Portugal’s tolls explained.
• Traffic: there are service areas along the A2. Friday afternoons in summer and the start of August are the busiest times heading south.
• Parking: the old town lanes are narrow and parking inside is scarce, so use the paid car parks on the edge of the centre. Ask your hotel about parking before you book.
• Car hire: if you only want a car for a few beach days, it’s often easier to take the train or bus and hire one in Lagos. See car rental in Portugal.

By air

Lisbon to Faro flights take under an hour, but Faro airport is about an hour by road from Lagos. With check-in and transfers, it’s slower than the train or bus. See Faro airport to Lagos.

Which option is right for you?

• Cheapest: FlixBus, booked a few weeks ahead.
• Fastest: the 08:23 train from Oriente, or a daytime bus.
• Flying into Lisbon: take the red metro line from the airport to Oriente, then the train or a FlixBus from the same station. See Lisbon airport to the city.
• Sagres, the west coast or beach-hopping: a car, or the train or bus plus a hire car in Lagos. See Sagres and Cape St Vincent.

Tips

• Check the day before: CP timetables change a few times a year, and strikes happen fairly often.
• Heading back: the last train leaves Lagos at 17:18, so for an evening return take the bus.
• No car needed in town: the station, bus terminal, marina and old town are all within walking distance. See where to stay in Lagos.

Plan it: Driving down? Compare car hire. Then find a place to stay in Lagos and book a Ponta da Piedade boat trip.

FAQ

Is there a direct train from Lisbon to Lagos?

No. Every train needs a change at Tunes, from the Lisbon to Faro train onto the Algarve line. The connections are timed, and the whole trip takes about 3h30 to 4h10.

How much is the train from Lisbon to Lagos?

In 2026, about €28.40 one way in second class at full fare via the Intercidades, or about €30 to €31 via the Alfa Pendular. Promo fares on the long leg can bring it down.

What time is the last train from Lisbon to Lagos?

The 18:32 Intercidades from Oriente (18:44 from Sete Rios), every day, reaching Lagos at 22:28. The last train back leaves Lagos at 17:18 and reaches Oriente at 21:56.

Is the bus or the train better from Lisbon to Lagos?

The bus is direct, usually cheaper and about as quick, and it runs later in the evening heading back. The train gives you a reserved, roomier seat on the long leg, but you change at Tunes.

How far is Lisbon from Lagos?

About 300km by road, or roughly 3 hours’ drive on the A2 and A22.

More: Lisbon to the Algarve, things to do in Lagos and the best beaches in Lagos.

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