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 - 21st April 2018

NEW PAGE ADDED FOR THE AIR ROUTE PORTIMÃO - CASCAIS - VISEU - VILA REAL - BRAGANÇA

Sevenair flies this route twice a day, except Sundays and Holidays. I have added a page to show this operation.

WEBSITE UPDATE

Rede-Expressos is now advertising journeys between Albufeira, Armação de Pêra and the Alentejo coast towns of Zambjuera, Vila Nova das Milfontes and Porto Covo. One journey three times a week all year with two each way daily in summer. Not direct, but connections are detailed. More information here.

All Algarve timetables checked, no changes found. Still no news when the new bus station in Portimão (which is a very long way from the town centre!) will open. Other city pages are being checked.

FORTHCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Wednesday April 25th (Liberation Day) and Tuesday May 1st (Labour Day) are public holidays here. Trains and buses run to Sunday times.

ELECTRIFICATION WORK ON THE ALGARVE RAILWAY LINE ANNOUNCED

An announcement was made early in January that the work to electrify the two remaining stretches (Tunes to Lagos and Faro - Vila Real de Santo António) will begin this year with conclusion in the fourth quarter of 2020. The first phase is the construction of new or enlarged electrical sub stations to provide the necessary power. Bidding for the major overhead line works and signalling contracts will be held later in 2018, with most work taking place in 2019 and 2020.

There may be an effect on existing operations while work is in progress. Any information I find will be published here and on the trains page.

LAGOS BUS STATION TICKET OFFICE HOURS

NEW WEBSITE FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN THE ALGARVE

A new website has been created with the aim of promoting sustainable transport in the Algarve. Among the early features is a map, overlaid onto Google Maps, which shows every inter-urban bus route and all stopping places. A commendable start and at first glance you may think it's a comprehensive network, but remember that many routes run only once or twice a day. The site offers no timetable information that I can find. The map will be a useful cross reference to other information. It can be found at https://algarve.city-platform.com/app/?a=carreiras - link will open in a new window. The main website itself is www.vamus.pt and is available in Portuguese and English.

Checked in person?

TOURIST PASS FOR ALGARVE LINE REGIONAL TRAINS

Available from STAFFED stations only. (Lagos, Portimao, Tunes, Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Olhao, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António) and are NOT VALID ON ALFA PENDULAR OR INTERCITY TRAINS

Do the sums first. A return (round-trip) ticket from Faro to Lagos is only €14,80.

Two days for €20,90 and three days for €31,90. Reduced fares for children. Days must be consecutive. The seven day pass is not being advertised, that I can find.

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% or higher 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

www.algarvebus.info

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

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