Algarve Transport Information
Any comments included are my own, if you have something to add, had an agreeable or disagreeable experience ( especially when using the services through any of the links I've listed ) with let me know so I can 'pass them on' here.

Airports
Faro ( FAO ) |
Name: Aeroporto de Faro. Airport Information: Click Here Distance to Luz: 70km (45Mins) |
Lisboa ( LIS ) |
Name: Aeroporto da Portela Airport Information: Click Here Distance to Luz: 295km (2:30Hrs) |
Porto ( OPO ) |
Name: Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport Information: Click Here Distance to Luz: 640km (5:30Hrs) |

Sites for Cheap Flights
| Flight prices are totally unpredictable.
Booking as early as possible must be the rule of thumb, but if you are
fortunate to have a flexible timetable there are some great prices to be
had. Broadly speaking, choose days other than weekends to travel and
consider unpopular times such as first thing in the morning or last thing at
night e.g., a 06.00 flight can be £30 / 50 cheaper than a 10.00 flight.
06/2008 Travel to Portugal seems to be much quieter this year, some surprisingly good prices to be had during the summer months. |
| Nov. 2007 Update: Airlines are now charging for all bags in the hold, there is no one bag per person free anymore. Be sure to book baggage in advance (about £10 per item return) otherwise you will be charged £10 per item each way! You can get away with a slightly larger item cabin baggage than previously allowed (don't forget the liquids restrictions in cabin baggage though, see drop down below) but best check this before you arrive at the airport. |
| Summary of Current cabin baggage restrictions |
Airport Baggage Restrictions ( 2007 / 2008 )
|
Primary Cabin Baggage Limitations
Medicines Liquid medicines are permitted through the search point in containers larger than 100ml, but they are subject to authentication. In this instance the passenger must have already gained prior permission from their airline and the departure airport. A supporting document, signed by a qualified medical professional, will also need to be provided. Medical Equipment Medical equipment, essential for the use during the flight, is allowed through security in the one item of cabin luggage provided the passenger can show a supporting document, signed by a qualified medical professional. Baby Food Liquid baby food or sterilised water for the flight is allowed. The accompanying adult will be asked to verify the contents by tasting. Laptops and Electrical items All electrical items will be screened separately. A laptop bag must either be classed as the one item of permitted cabin baggage or contained within this item if it is to be taken through the search point. Outsize Items and Musical Instruments All items of luggage larger than the accepted size for cabin luggage must be checked before being placed in the aircraft hold. The only exception to this is musical instruments which may be taken on as a second piece of cabin luggage if they do not fit in the bag. Musical instruments will need to be screened separately and the passenger must check with their airline whether any special arrangements are required (for example- purchase of a second seat). |
| All airline search from one page. | |
| All airline search from one page. | |
| All airline search. | |
| All airline search. | |
| All airline search from one page. | |
| Flights and Car Hire samples. |

Major Airlines flying to Portugal

Sites for Car Hire
| Booking from the U.K. is easy, but be aware
there are dangers in booking the cheapest you find. It is probably worth
paying that bit extra and booking with a 'big name' firm direct. I have come
unstuck by paying an agent on-line and finding no car on arrival and no
trace of the agents on my return home. Having said that it is still worth
looking around and of course now days you can book on-line directly with
Portugal firms which is slightly more reliable.
Look for Rates which include: Unlimited Mileage, Third Party Insurance and Taxes. You also need to consider Collision Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance or Full Insurance options. Any of these 'extras' can really bump up a 'cheap' base price. | |
| Luz : (+351) 282 789 510 | |
| Lagos : (+351) 282 761 961 | |
| Faro Airport : (+351 ) 289 817 355 | |
| Quad Bikes, Scooters and Bicycles available at Luz branch ( by the church ). Some good prices to be had here. | |
A long established, and reliable 'company'. Not bad rates. I've used them more often than the others, with no problem. | |
A new rental company opening at Lagos Marina from the beginning of June 2008. All inclusive prices. Collection and Return to / from Faro Airport or Lagos. Look for opening promotions.
Where : Lagos Marina. Address : Marina de Lagos, Nucleo Gil Eanes , loja 8 8600-780 Lagos Tel : (+351) 91 295 00 69 Fax : (+351) 289 819 960 Email : evacristinasantos | |
| Flights and Car Hire samples. | |
| Rates from Faro Airport. | |
| Instant Price Comparisons (Budget/Europcar/Thrifty/Alamo) | |
| Used by travel agencies for price comparisons. Average prices. | |

Rental companies with fleets at Faro Airport

Shuttle / Private Transfers to / from Faro / Luz

Bicycle and Motorbike Hire
| An alternative to your regular means of transport. I would suggest a good level of fitness a prime requirement before contemplating bicycle touring ( see the things to do page for organised tours ). The terrain can be a little hilly to say the least. Surprisingly you don't see a lot of two wheeled transport being used in the Algarve but scrambler type motorcycles have got to be ideal for some of those more inaccessible places and great fun. | |
| Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorbikes and Quad Bikes for rent in Praia da Luz.
Tel 24Hrs : (+351) 966 046 308 Tel (Office) : (+351) 282 789 510 Fax : (+351) 282 789 077 Email : info@algarvecarrental.com | |
Motoride |
Aldo Bikes, Scooters, Quads.
Address : Rua José Afonso, 23, Lagos Tel : (+351) 282 761 720 |
|
|

Distances between Algarve Towns (km's)
| Albufeira | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aljezur | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Almancil de pera | 97 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||
| Alvor | 53 | 49 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||
| Amacio | 25 | 34 | 66 | 18 | |||||||||||||||
| Faro | 47 | 66 | 13 | 10 | 39 | ||||||||||||||
| Lagoa | 54 | 13 | 12 | 41 | 56 | 25 | |||||||||||||
| Lagos | 26 | 80 | 39 | 19 | 67 | 30 | 51 | ||||||||||||
| Loule | 68 | 42 | 16 | 35 | 54 | 8 | 98 | 27 | |||||||||||
| Monchique | 75 | 41 | 33 | 87 | 46 | 29 | 74 | 71 | 58 | ||||||||||
| Olhao | 95 | 24 | 88 | 62 | 9 | 55 | 74 | 21 | 118 | 47 | |||||||||
| Portimao | 70 | 25 | 50 | 18 | 8 | 62 | 21 | 4 | 40 | 25 | 33 | ||||||||
| Quarteira | 52 | 30 | 77 | 11 | 70 | 4 | 22 | 37 | 56 | 9 | 100 | 29 | |||||||
| Sagres | 102 | 63 | 120 | 736 | 100 | 32 | 58 | 112 | 71 | 51 | 99 | 42 | 83 | ||||||
| St Bart. de messines | 83 | 35 | 33 | 53 | 58 | 33 | 51 | 36 | 45 | 29 | 37 | 32 | 81 | 21 | |||||
| S.Bras de portal | 46 | 113 | 24 | 63 | 17 | 88 | 13 | 81 | 55 | 17 | 48 | 67 | 21 | 111 | 40 | ||||
| Silves | 6 | 17 | 66 | 52 | 16 | 70 | 41 | 50 | 34 | 8 | 62 | 21 | 20 | 43 | 64 | 33 | |||
| Tavira | 85 | 22 | 68 | 135 | 4 | 85 | 20 | 110 | 35 | 103 | 77 | 29 | 70 | 89 | 43 | 133 | 62 | ||
V. Real |
23 | 108 | 45 | 91 | 158 | 69 | 108 | 43 | 133 | 58 | 126 | 100 | 52 | 93 | 112 | 66 | 150 | 85 | |

Trains from FARO to LAGOS
| The train station is 5kms from the airport. Take a taxi or a bus, both from just outside the Arrivals entrance at Faro airport to the train station. You can then take a train along the coast. Services tend to be infrequent and can be unreliable, but they are getting better. The journey to Lagos takes about 1¾ hours and costs around €7 Euros. Its then a ten minute taxi ride from Lagos station to Praia da Luz. Altogether the most cost effective way to get to Luz (but not the most practical if you have a lot of luggage). | |||||||
| Train Number: | 5900 | 5902 | 5904 | 5906 | 5908 | 5910 | 5912 |
| Frequency: | Daily | ||||||
| FARO | 07:07 | 10:48 | 12:00 | 13:09 | 17:00 | 17:48 | 19:26 |
| PARQUE DAS CIDADES | 07:14 | 10:56 | 12:07 | 13:16 | 17:07 | 17:55 | 19:33 |
| ALMANCIL | --- | --- | --- | 13:21 | 17:12 | 18:00 | --- |
| LOULE | 07:22 | 11:04 | 12:14 | 13:25 | 17:16 | 18:04 | 19:41 |
| VALE DE JUDEU | --- | --- | --- | 13:29 | 17:20 | --- | --- |
| BOLIQUEIME | 07:30 | 11:13 | 12:21 | 13:34 | 17:25 | 18:11 | 19:49 |
| PATA | --- | --- | --- | 13:38 | 17:29 | --- | --- |
| ALBUFEIRA | 07:38 | 11:21 | 12:29 | 13:44 | 17:35 | 18:19 | 20:02 |
| TUNES | 07:44 | 11:34 | 12:36 | 13:53 | 17:41 | 18:29 | 20:09 |
| ALGOZ | 07:50 | 11:40 | 12:42 | 13:59 | 17:47 | 18:35 | 20:15 |
| ALCANTARILHA | 07:56 | 11:44 | 12:47 | 14:03 | 17:52 | 18:39 | 20:20 |
| POCO BARRETO | 08:01 | --- | 12:51 | 14:08 | 17:56 | --- | --- |
| SILVES | 08:07 | 11:53 | 12:58 | 14:14 | 18:05 | 18:48 | 20:28 |
| ESTOMBAR-LAGOA | 08:13 | 11:59 | 13:04 | 14:21 | 18:11 | 18:54 | 20:34 |
| FERRAGUDO | 08:17 | 12:03 | 13:08 | 14:25 | 18:15 | 18:58 | 20:38 |
| PORTIMAO | 08:21 | 12:07 | 13:13 | 14:29 | 18:19 | 19:03 | 20:43 |
| MEXILHOEIRA GRANDE | 08:32 | 12:16 | 13:22 | 14:38 | 18:28 | 19:14 | 20:52 |
| MEIA PRAIA | 08:38 | 12:22 | --- | 14:44 | --- | 19:19 | --- |
| LAGOS | 08:42 | 12:26 | 13:30 | 14:48 | 18:36 | 19:24 | 21:00 |
| Be sure to check train times. For more detailed information, contact the Information Service. | |||||||

Buses from the Airport to FARO centre to LAGOS
| The bus station is 6kms from the airport.
There is a local bus service operating between the airport and Faro centre
about every hour. The stop is also just outside arrivals. During the high
season ( summer months ) a special Aerobus service connects with the town
centre. As most arrivals are heading west to Albufeira and further you'll
need to get the bus from the airport to Faro bus station then catch the fast
'Tranrapido' bus service along the coast. Purchase tickets in advance in
Faro bus station. Services are limited at weekends on normal lines. To make
sure you don't miss connections in Faro it's a good idea to take a taxi to
the bus station, however you can use local buses to and from the airport at no additional charge providing you have flight tickets / stubs for travel that day.
There are buses that run from Faro to Lagos ( approx. two hours ten minutes ), they will also stop at Portimao and Albufeira, currently costs about €5.00. You can then get a local bus from Lagos to Praia da Luz (approx.10 minutes) which stops near the centre of the town ( just up the hill from the square ) and also just as you come into Luz on the 'old' road ( Rua Dirieta ) Costs about €1.70. All the times shown are the current published ( July / August 2008 ), however there may be some changes during the season. So check before travelling using the link at the foot of the table. 01/07/08 The times for Luz buses ( and a lot of other routes ) changed today to the Summer timetable. They aren't on the bus stops yet. I got the following times from the sources below. |
Up to date information Eva-bus.net or an alternative 'unofficial' site Thomasallen |
| TRANSRAPIDO Normal Daily Service | |||
| Faro Terminus > Lagos Terminus | Lagos Terminus > Faro Terminus | ||
| Depart | Arrive | Depart | Arrive |
| 08.00 | 10.10 | 07.00 | 09.00 |
| 09.05 | 11.15 | 08.30 | 10.35 |
| 12.30 | 14.40 | 10.30 | 12.40 |
| 14.30 | 16.40 | 12.35 | 14.45 |
| 16.25 | 18.40 | 15.00 | 17.10 |
| 17.25 | 19.40 | 17.15 | 19.30 |
- Not Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays
National Holidays 2008 | |||
| 1st January | New Year’s Day | 15th August | Assumption |
| 5th February | Mardi Gras | 5th October | Republic Day |
| 21st April | Good Friday | 1st November | All Saint’s Day |
| 23rd April | Easter Day | 1st December | Restoration of Independence |
| 25th April | Independence Day | 8th December | Immaculate Conception |
| 1st May | May Day | 25th December | Christmas Day |
| 10th June | Portugal National Day | ||
Buses from Lagos > Luz > Burgau > Barão São Miguel
MFO - Mondays to Fridays (weekdays) only except holidays
SCH - Schooldays only i.e. not during Christmas and Easter breaks
SHX - Not Sundays or Holidays
SHO - Sundays and Holidays only
SAT - Saturdays only
| Summer timetable | SHX | SHX | SHO | MFO | SAT | SHO | Daily | SHX | SHO | MFO |
| Lagos Terminal | 0750 | 0855 | 0945 | 1330 | 1330 | 1410 | 1630 | 1735 | 1820 | 1915 |
| Luz ( Church ) | 0805 | 0910 | 1000 | 1345 | 1345 | 1425 | 1645 | 1750 | 1835 | 1930 |
| Burgau | 0811 | 0916 | 1006 | 1352 | 1352 | 1432 | 1652 | 1756 | 1842 | 1937 |
| Burgau (X) | --- | 0921 | --- | 1356 | 1356 | --- | --- | 1801 | --- | 1941 |
| Barão São Miguel (X) | --- | 0925 | --- | 1400 | 1400 | --- | --- | 1805 | --- | 1945 |
| Barão São Miguel | --- | 0930 | --- | 1405 | --- | --- | --- | 1810 | --- | 1950 |
| Barão São Miguel (X) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 1955 |
| Bus continues to | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | C |
| A - to Salema and Vila do Bispo via Budens; arrives Vila do Bispo at 08.05
C - to Salema (X) arriving 19.58 via Vale de Boi and Budens. Connecting bus leaves Salema (X) for village at 20.03 Timetable on the official website here | ||||||||||
Buses from Barão São Miguel > Burgau > Luz > Lagos
| Summer timetable | SHX | SHO | SHX | SHX | SHO | SHX | SHO | Daily | SHX |
| Bus starts from | A | -- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Barão São Miguel (X) | 0708 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Barão São Miguel | 0713 | 0725 | --- | 0930 | --- | 1410 | --- | --- | 1815 |
| Barão São Miguel (X) | 0718 | 0730 | --- | 0935 | --- | 1415 | --- | --- | 1820 |
| Burgau (X) | 0722 | 0734 | --- | 0939 | --- | 1419 | --- | E | 1824 |
| Burgau | 0727 | 0739 | 0815 | 0944 | 1008 | 1424 | 1432 | 1700 | 1829 |
| Luz ( Church ) | 0730 | 0745 | 0821 | 0950 | 1014 | 1429 | 1437 | 1716 | 1835 |
| Lagos Bus Terminal | 0745 | 0800 | 0836 | 1005 | 1029 | 1444 | 1452 | 1731 | 1850 |
| A - Salema at 06.55, via Budens at 07.05
E - runs via Espiche at 17.11 Timetable on the official website here |
|||||||||

Lagos <> Praia da Luz
|
Most of the buses between Lagos and Luz are operated by
ONDA. The one-way fare is only €1.10. These buses also go to Espiche and Almadena. This bus takes an extremely roundabout
route between Lagos and Luz. What used to be a 10 minute journey ( Summer 2007 ) now takes nearly 30! It stops at several places convenient for the Luz area, i.e., when coming from Lagos to Luz -
• the Boavista Golf resort before turning off the N125 on to the 'old' road into Luz,
• the Valverde campsite just outside of Luz, • just coming in on the old road, • at the start of the Rua Direita
one-way system ( East Luz ),
• Luz Ocean Club, • opposite the Luz Tavern by the Church, • on the main road by the cinema, •
Hotel Belavista and vice versa if going to Lagos.
|
| ONDA Normal Daily Service ( Not Sundays or Holidays* ) | |||||||
| Click here for the complete timetable (printable) for Route 4 | |||||||
| Depart Lagos* > Arrive Luz ( Church ) | Depart Luz ( Church ) > Arrive Lagos* | ||||||
| Depart | Arrive | Depart | Arrive | Depart | Arrive | Depart | Arrive |
| 07.01 | 07.21 | 15.51 | 16.19 | 07.11 | 07.34 | 16.01 | 16.24 |
| 07.41 | 08.09 | 16.31 | 16.59 | 07.51 | 08.14 | 16.41 | 17.04 |
| 08.21 | 08.49 | 17.11 | 17.39 | 08.41 | 09.04 | 17.21 | 17.44 |
| 09.11 | 09.39 | 17.51 | 18.19 | 09.21 | 09.44 | 18.01 | 18.24 |
| 09.51 | 10.19 | 18.31 | 18.59 | 10.01 | 10.24 | 18.41 | 19.04 |
| 10.31 | 10.59 | 19.11 | 19.39 | 10.41 | 11.04 | 19.21 | 19.44 |
| 11.11 | 11.39 | 19.51 | 20.19 | 11.21 | 11.44 | 20.01 | 20.24 |
| 11.51 | 12.19 | 20.31 | 20.59 | 12.01 | 12.24 | 20.41 | 21.04 |
| 12.31 | 12.59 | 21.11 | 21.39 | 12.41 | 13.04 | 21.01 | 21.24 |
| 13.11 | 13.39 | 21.51 | 22.19 | 13.21 | 13.44 | 21.41 | 22.04 |
| 13.51 | 14.19 | 22.31 | 22.59 | 14.01 | 14.24 | 22.01 | 22.24 |
| 14.31 | 14.59 | 23.11 | 23.39 | 14.41 | 15.04 | 22.41 | 23.04 |
| 15.11 | 15.39 | 15.21 | 15.44 | 23.21 | 00.04 | ||
| 00.01 | 00.24 | ||||||
* Bus Stop Infante ( by the car park on the seafront - nearest to shopping centre ) halway down the Av. Descobrimentos / Marina. Current fare ( 2008 ) €1.10. Stops at the Intermarche (Superstore). The bus takes the old road into Luz. | |||||||

A long established, and reliable 'company'. Not bad rates. I've used them more often than the others, with no problem.
A new rental company opening at Lagos Marina from the beginning of June 2008. All inclusive prices. Collection and Return to / from Faro Airport or Lagos. Look for opening promotions.