Bus and train timetables for the Algarve - an unofficlal website

YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE GUIDANCE NOTES first as, at first sight, the operations here can seem a bit complicated.
For example, most buses in the Algarve do not have route / line numbers as they do in many countries.

NEWS and updates - latest - 13th September 2017

WEBSITE UPDATE

NEW BUS STATION SOON TO OPEN IN PORTIMÃO (thanks to Chris H. for the information)

SPECIAL NOTICE - A NEW AND 'PROPER' BUS STATION IS TO OPEN IN PORTIMÃO SOME TIME SOON.
THE EXACT DATE I DO NOT YET KNOW. IT IS SOME DISTANCE FROM THE EXISTING FACILITY ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE RAILWAY LINE, A LONG FROM THE CENTRE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STOPS BY THE RIVER AROUND LARGO DO DIQUE AND AVENIDA GUANARÉ WILL STILL BE USED. THE NEW LOCATION DOES HOWEVER IMPLY CHANGES TO ROUTES AND TIMETABLES. INFORMATION ON RELEVANT PAGES WILL BE UPDATED AS AND WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

WINTER TIMETABLES CAME INTO EFFECT MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER

Winter timetables came into effect on EVA and Frota Azul buses from this Monday, 11th September and remain in force until 30th June 2018.

LISBON TO BADAJOZ (SPAIN) TRAIN SERVICE RESUMED

Although this is not strictly relevant to the Algarve, rail travel enthusiasts will wish to know that trains once again run across the Portugal / Spain border between Elvas and Badajoz. This is after a six year interval since trains were discontinued as a result of financial problems. Don't get too excited though, as there is only one train a day in each direction. However, a connection at Badajoz is available to and from Madrid. A daytime journey is now therefore possible by train between Lisbon and Madrid, although it requires four trains and takes about 10 hours! Portuguese timetable is here, for times in Spain see www.renfe.com and note that reservations are required between Lisbon and Entroncamento (you can book through tfrom Lisbon to Badajoz at www.cp.pt), also between Badajoz and Madrid at renfe.com. Through tickets are not currently sold.

DIRECT BUSES LAGOS - VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO via FARO AIRPORT??

TIMETABLE CHANGES LAGOS - FARO - SEVILLE

There is a slightly bizarre and somewhat vague announcement on the EVA bus website that it is now possible to travel between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António on direct buses. It then goes on to say 'ask at our ticket offices'. What possible use is this? I have, I think, discovered that this and similar journeys including trips to and from Faro Airport can now be made on the coaches running between Lagos and Seville, which were previously reserved for international journeys. However untiol next summer there will be only one such journey each way, daily. Tickets must be booked in advance, especially for the morning departure from Lagos as ticket offices will not be open.. Details such as I can divine them at this page.

RENEX LONG DISTANCE BUS MERGER WITH REDE/EXPRESSOS

This recent merger does make it very difficult to show all details of the various routes, so I have summarised journeys between Lisbon and Lagos, Albufeira, Faro and Portimão on separate printable pages.

I HAVE RENAMED THE LONG DISTANCE BUS / COACH PAGE TO AVOID CONFUSION WITH THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE. IT IS NOW www.algarvebus.info/100.htm

REPAIR AND REHABILITATION OF ALGARVE LINE RAILWAY STATIONS - FUTURE ELECTRIFICATION

It is unfortunate that graffiti and minor vandalism is endemic here. With most stations unstaffed and only one secure location for trains to be kept overnight, much of the system is thus completely open to the depredations of the local youth.

The project for the electrification of the two sections Tunes - Lagos and Faro - Vila Real de Santo António, has been confirmed by government with a total of 33.6 million Euros to be invested. Preliminary work will begin later this year, but will not be completed until mid-2020 at the earliest! This could create a problem for CP as by 1st January 2020 EU law requires that all trains must be fully accessible to wheelchair users etc. Those who know the current trains and stations will appreciate that 'disabled' access is almost impossible in many locations.

Let's hope that this project also includes more frequent trains. At present there are gaps of 3 hours between trains at certain times of the day.

In the short term there could be disruption to train service while works are under way. Watch this space. NB the buses they might use as replacements for train services are also unlikely to be accessible!

Checked in person?

TOURIST TICKET FOR ALGARVE LINE REGIONAL TRAINS

Available from STAFFED stations only. (Lagos, Portimao, Tunes, Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Olhao, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António)

NOT VALID ON ALFA PENDULAR OR INTERCITY TRAINS

Do the sums first. A return (round-trip) ticket from Faro to Lagos is only €15,00.

STEP FREE ACCESS TO RAILWAY STATIONS AND TRAINS

I must emphasise that there is NO STEP FREE ACCESS at any Algarve station to any train while it is in the platform. All trains in use have steps up into the carriage. Some platforms are very low, making it difficult for some. I have added an item to the 'disabled page' with detail of the various stations.

Discounts for long distance train travel!

If you book more than 8 days in advance there are some really cheap fares available on trains, eg between the Algarve stations and Lisbon. These fares can be cheaper than coaches (buses). These tickets are not refunded if you do not use them. Go to www.cp.pt for all you need to know.

OTHER DISCOUNTS ON TRAIN TICKETS

CP offers 25% off. If you are aged 25 or under, CP is offering a 25% discount on all Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, InterRegional and Regional train tickets. You can use this discount in any class, any day of the week. Just show official ID with proof of your age such as a Citizen card, ID card, driving licence or passport. You can buy your tickets from long-distance ticket offices, netTICKET travel agents. These tickets can be reissued or refunded.

Young people aged 26 or over can still enjoy the Cartão Jovem discount for individual journeys.

In addition, a 40% discount is available to all travellers on long distance Intercity and Alfa Pendular trains who make reservations on line eight days or more in advance. Reservations open 60 days before travel. On some trains the number of these discounted tickets is limited. These tickets can be exchanged for a different train, but are not refunded if you don't make the trip. You can buy your print at home tickets at www.cp.pt and in English. DO NOT buy tickets from Raileurope or any other site as they cannot offer the discount and cannot provide you with the mandatory seat reservations. These you would have to obtain locally and pay an additional fee for them.

Anyone over 65 can travel half fare on local trains so long they have ID eg passport.

TOURIST PASSES FOR ALGARVE BUSES

These are available as three day versions at €29,10 and seven days for €36,25. Days must be consecutive. They can be bought at any bus station ticket office, also the Albufeira old town Bus Shop and the EVA ticket office in Largo do Dique, Portimão. They are valid on ALL buses operated by EVA or Frota Azul listed in timetables on this site. They are NOT VALID on EVA, Rede-Expressos or RENEX long distance services, international services, nor on the local urban buses in Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Loulé, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Faro and Tavira. The local buses in those towns have their own day passes, multi-ride tickets and season tickets for frequent or regular users. There is no other discount on buses for persons over 60 / 65 except for residents.

BUS DELAYS - SOME RECENT EXAMPLES

Traffic congestion and unrealistic timetables mean that many buses cannot be relied upon to run to time, especially on the longer journeys.

For example, the 1800 bus from Lagos to Albufeira is ALWAYS at least 10 minutes late by the time it gets to Albufeira, 20 minutes delay in summer is not unusual. I regularly experience similar delays returning from Lagos or Portimão to Albufeira in the late afternoon and early evening.

On the longer routes eg Lagos - Faro and Albufeira - Lagos, delays of 10 - 15 minutes towards the end of the journey are commonplace, on any day of the week. Delays are even more likely in summer.

TIMETABLES AT BUS STATIONS ETC

THANK YOU

This site is being visited about 500 times a month. May I thank you for the positive comments and feedback I am receiving.

www.algarvebus.info An unofficial website for buses and trains in the Algarve Owned and maintained by a local resident	Questions about Albufeira? Visit the forum
Albufeira on Facebook - lots of pictures!	My own picture blog of the Algarve and more http://cubsur51.wordpress.com

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The Algarve region of Portugal - information on bus and train services

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