Travel by plane, coach (bus) or train between the Algarve and Spain

This page is unofficial. The information has been obtained from printed timetables and other local sources and is given in good faith.
The planes, trains and coaches on this page are operated by numerous different companies, so some sections will be more up to date than others.

Please do check everything on the official websites before committing yourself. This is a difficult page to keep up to date.

Travel by plane, coach (bus) or train between the Algarve and Spain

IT CAN BE A BIT DIFFICULT!! THERE ARE NO TRAINS.

The main focus of this page is travel between the Algarve and Seville.

I accept no responsibility for any problems caused by errors or changes made by the operators that I can’t find out about.
Note - the vehicles used for the long journeys in this page are called COACHES in the UK, called bus anywhere else.
In all cases you MUST have a ticket before boarding coaches / long distance buses.

PLANE

In winter there are no direct flights between Faro and anywhere in mainland Spain.

From April until late October, there are direct flights two or three times a week between Faro and Barcelona with Vueling Air.
Air Nostrum operates up to to four flights a week between Faro and Madrid from late March until early October

Complete information on all scheduled flights at Faro airport can be viewed here - the link will open in a new window.

TRAIN

See below. There are no trains between the Algarve and Spain. The lines do not cross or even meet up at the border.

The nearest station in Spain is in Huelva, some 60km /36 miles from the border.
Huelva has only four trains a day most days. Three run to and from Seville and one runs direct to and from Cordoba and Madrid. There a couple of extra trains in summer.
In fact there are now only six trains a day between anywhere in Portugal and anywhere in Spain. And none of them go anywhere near the Algarve.

COACHES/BUSES LAGOS <> ALBUFEIRA <> FARO <> HUELVA <> SEVILLE

Several different coach / bus companies operate cross border services between the Algarve region and Seville, also between Lisbon and Seville via Albufeira and Faro.
These are : ALSA, Iberocoach and Flixbus. Follow links to see their details.

THERE IS A NEW OUT OF TOWN LONG DISTANCE BUS STATION IN PORTIMÃO.  Location details etc here.
All services to and from Seville now call there. Do allow enough time o get there. This new bus station is 1.5km from the town centre and very few local buses go there.

EARLY MORNING DEPARTURES LAGOS BUS STATION TICKET OFFICE HOURS
A notice at the ticket office states opening hours as 0600 to 2030hrs daily. This differs from the information on the bus company website. Travellers intending to get a very early service from Lagos and who do not book on line are advised to check this before turning up and perhaps finding it closed!

Faro Airport stop

The bus stop is just next to the passenger drop off area outside departures, just next to the P1 car park.

ALSA / REDE-EXPRESSOS SERVICE SEVILLE <> ALGARVE <> LISBON

Service operated jointly by ALSA (Spanish)- www.alsa.es and Rede Expressos - the websites are in English. Tickets can also be purchased at www.movelia.es

To UK readers these are COACHES, like National Express. Tickets MUST be bought in advance. Drivers do not sell tickets

Tickets may be purchased up to two months in advance at either www.rede-expressos.pt or www.alsa.es (both are available in English) or at bus station ticket offices.

I have also noticed that other operators vehicles are sometimes used. Your vehicle may not have ALSA or Rede Expressos written on it, so do pay attention!

CONNECTIONS AT SEVILLE (Prado or Plaza de Armas) TO AND FROM MALAGA, GRANADA, TORREMOLINOS, FUENGIROLA, ALGECIRAS AND JEREZ.

CHECK THE ALSA WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

There are three or four local buses every hour between Seville (Plaza de Armas) and Seville airport. Click here for details.
 Also, Spanish Railways (RENFE) sell combined rail / bus tickets between their stations in Spain and those places in the timetable below. Go to www.renfe.com for further information and purchases.

LAGOS <> SEVILLE - service jointly operated by ALSA and Rede Expressos

FOR INTERNATIONAL JOURNEYS ONLY
One way tickets Lagos <> Seville from €15 no refund, no exchange. Normal price €25.
Lisbon <> Seville from €26 no refund, no exchange. Normal price €45

SPANISH TIME IS 1 HOUR AHEAD OF PORTUGUESE TIME
Times are the latest available but changes are made without prior warning. Times checked on  8th October. Most journeys run only in summer.
WARNING - THE ALSA WEBSITE SHOWS NO DAYTIME SERVICE AVAILABLE LISBON - ALGARVE - SEVILLE DURING WINTER
  A DAYTIME JOURNEY LISBON <> SEVILLE IS OFFERED VIA A DIFFERENT ROUTE
XX - runs in summertime only, not available until June 2020. YY - in winter, not every day it seems! Check carefully at official sites

	every night	Daily? YY	Daily XX	Daily	Daily XX	Daily XX	Daily	Daily XX	Daily	Daily XX	Daily XX		Every night	Daily	Daily XX	Daily XX	Daily	Daily XX	Daily XX	Daily XX	Daily	Daily XX	Daily? YY
Lagos Bus Station	From	0700	0800	0900	1000	From	1230	1330	1500	From	1700	Seville Santa Justa Railway Station (see note below)	From Malaga, Granada	0700	0700 $	0830	0930	1100	1330 $	1500	1600	1700	1900
Portimão new bus station see note here	Lisbon	0730	0830	0930	1030	Lisbon	1300	1400	1530	Lisbon	1730	Seville Plaza de Armas Bus Station	2359§	0730	0800	0900	1000	1130	1430	1530	1630	1730	1930
Albufeira Bus Station (1.6km from centre)	0145	0800	0900	1000	1100	1245	1330	1430	1600	1700	1800	Huelva Bus Station	no stop	no stop	no stop	1015	1115	no stop	1545	no stop	no stop	no stop	2045
Faro Bus Station	0230x	0845	0945	1045	1145	1345	1415	1515	1645	1745	1845	Tavira Bus Station (Portuguese time)	0100	no stop	0830	1015	1115	no stop	1600 xx	no stop	no stop	no stop	2100
Faro Airport	0215x	0900	1000	1100	1200	1330	1430	1530	1700	1800	1900	Faro Airport (Portuguese time)	0145^	0845	0900	1045	1145	1245	1700	1645	1745	1845	2130
Tavira Bus Station	0300	0930	no stop	no stop	1230	1430	no stop	no stop	1730	1830 v v	no stop	Faro Bus Station	0130^	0900	0915	1100	1200	1300	1645^	1700	1800	1900	2145
Huelva Bus Station (Spanish time)	0500	1130	no stop	no stop	1430	no stop	no stop	no stop	1930	2030	no stop	Albufeira Bus Station (1.6km from centre)	0215	0945	1000	1145	1245	1345	1730	1745	1845	1945	2230
Seville Plaza de Armas Bus Station	0600*	1245	1315	1415	1545	1700**	1745	1845	2015	2130**	2215	Portimão new bus station see note here	to	1015	to	1215	1315	1415	to	1815	1915	2015	2300
Seville Santa Justa Railway Station	to Malaga, Granada	1300	1330	1430	1600	1800	1800	1900	2030	2215	2230	Lagos Bus Station	Lisbon	1045	Lisbon	1245	1345	1445	Lisbon	1845	1945	2045	2330

0130 and 0230 - So far as is known these stop OUTSIDE the bus station. Any information gratefully received. Email me
These overnight journeys also serve Malaga Airport and Fuengirola and have connections at Seville  (Prado) for Jerez and Algeciras.
CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES FOR FULL DETAILS.
^ goes to Faro Bus Station before the airport x - goes to Faro Airport before the Bus Station
SANTA JUSTA - apparently ALSA pickup to the right of the station exit, near McDonald's. Do allow time to find the correct stop.

* continues to Seville Prado San Sebastian bus station arriving at 0615. This journey does NOT go to the railway station.
 ** also stops at Seville Prado San Sebastian after Plaza de Armas § - does NOT serve Santa Justa, starts at Seville Prado San Sebastian bus station 2330
$ - also stops at Prado San Sebastian Bus station 30 minutes after leaving Santa Justa.

v v - also stops in Vila Real de Santo António at 1900.  xx also stops in Vila Real de Santo António at 1545 (Portugal time)
The overnight journey from Lisbon also stops at  Vila Real de Santo António at 0330hrs. The overnight journey from Seville to Lisbon calls there at 0030hrs.

IBEROCOACH NIGHT SERVICE LISBON <> ALGARVE <> SEVILLE <> MÁLAGA

Operated by Iberocoach in partnership with Flixbus

TOWARDS MÁLAGA from Albufeira 0015, Faro 0030, Faro Airport 0045, Tavira 0115, Vila Real de Santo António 0145, (change to Spanish time + 1 hour), Huelva 0400 (? but that is what it says on their website), Seville Plaza de Armas 0445, Málaga 0745. Comes from Lisbon Sete Rios at 2030 and Lisbon Oriente at 2100
FROM MÁLAGA at 2030, Seville Plaza de Armas 2330, Huelva 0040, (change to Portugal time - 1 hour), Vila Real de Santo António 0045, Tavira 0100, Faro Airport 0130, Faro 0145, Albufeira 0230 continues to Lisbon via Grandola and Setubal arriving Lisbon Oriente  at 0530 and Sete Rios at about 0630.

All calls are at the city or town bus station. Tickets MUST be purchased from the Iberocoach or Flixbus website. No tickets are sold locally.

FLIXBUS  LISBON / LAGOS <> ALBUFEIRA <> FARO AIRPORT <> HUELVA <> SEVILLE

This section checked and updated on 8th October
Winter 2019 service: Lisbon to Seville twice daily, one daytime and one overnight journey in each direction.
Lagos <> Seville once or twice daily. Albufeira <> Faro <> Seville. two or three times daily. (The number of journeys is not the same every day!)
Some journeys stop at Faro Airport (for travel to or from Spain only) and also some go to Seville airport.
Summer service is much more frequent. Four times daily between Lagos, Albufeira, Faro and Seville. Three times daily between Lisbon, Albufeira, Faro and Seville.

  Flixbus do not have a ticket agent at their stops in Lagos, Albufeira or Faro. You buy tickets from their website or using their app.
Or you find their local agent in Albufeira or Faro via their website but they do not seem to show times of opening.
 Flixbus can only be used for International journeys.

CHECK AT THE FLIXBUS WEBSITE OR VIA THE APP BEFORE MAKING A FIRM TRAVEL PLAN ESPECIALLY IF TRAVELLING AROUND MAJOR HOLIDAYS.

FLIXBUS DO NOT STOP AT ALBUFEIRA'S MAIN BUS STATION. THEY HAVE MOVED THEIR STOP TO THE AVENIDA DA LIBERDADE, ALBUFEIRA OLD TOWN (CENTRO ANTIGO) WHERE THE LOCAL GIRO BUSES STOP AND WHERE THERE IS A TAXI STAND. MAP

SEVILLE - CONNECTIONS AT PLAZA DE ARMAS BUS STATION

The Plaza de Armas bus terminal in Seville is about 2km across the city from the Santa Justa railway station. It is also about 2km from the Prado San Sebastian Bus Station.  Official website for the bus station here. In Spanish mostly, some information is available other languages via the national flags at top right of first page.

There is a direct bus between the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Justa railway station.This is route (line) 21, which also stops at the Prado de San Sebastian bus station. The number 21 bus runs 4 - 6 times an hour on weekdays and Saturdays, 3 times every hour on Sundays and Holidays. Intervals between buses are slightly irregular.

The official website of the Seville city bus service is at www.tussam.es including a downloadable map. This is however only in Spanish. A useful site for Seville public transport information in English at https://en.redtransporte.com/sevilla/  which includes information about buses to places more distant. There is a lot more information about Seville , including maps,here

The single line of Seville's metro (underground) rail network is in service. It does not serve either the Plaza de Armas bus station or the Santa Justa rail station. It does have a stop at the Prado San Sebastian, the other major bus station and at San Bernado rail and bus station, served by regional trains and where some regional buses start their journeys. The metro website is http://www.metro-sevilla.es/en/ - available in English.

Most parts of Seville can also reached by city buses from outside the Plaza de Armas.

Buses to suburban and regional destinations.

There is comprehensive information on buses in the Seville region (in Spanish only) at the 'Consorcio Transportes' website

Buses to many suburban destinations leave from the Plaza de Armas, but some leave from the Prado San Sebastian. The C3 and C4 circular routes link the two bus stations. The bus station at Prado San Sebastian is the yellow painted building with the arches, just around the corner from the  tram/light rail stop**. The entrance is actually in the Plaza San Sebastian. The bus companies Casal,Los Amarillos, Grupo Valenzuela and Alsina Graells (ALSA)  use this terminal. They each have their own ticket/enquiry offices inside. Los Amarillos lost their contract to operate certain regional routes in favour of DAMAS.  In particular this includes the popular route for tourists Sevilla  – Ronda –  Chipiona – Málaga. Please therefore check times and buy tickets at the DAMAS website.

** The short tram line runs between San Bernado metro station via Prado San Sebastian (close to a lot of bus stops) to the old city centre at the Plaza Nueva, a distance of about 2km. Ticketing is integrated with the city buses operated under the Tussam banner.

Buses from Seville to many regional destinations (eg Cadiz, Jerez, Tarifa, La Linea and Algeciras) are operated by DAMASand Transportes Generales Comes. The TG Comes company use the Prado San Sebastian bus station, DAMAS use Plaza de Armas.

The route M124 bus from Seville to Carmona, operated by CASAL, starts from San Bernardo, at the metro station and runs via Avenida San Franciso Javier and Avenida Kansas City towards Carmona. This bus DOES NOT STOP at the airport.

Long distance buses (coaches) from Seville to elsewhere in Spain

Long distance buses to many other parts of Spain leave from Plaza de Armas.  These companies use Plaza de Armas - ALSA, DAMAS, SOCIBUS, GRUPO VALENZUELA, LEDA, EUROLINES 

You can check times of buses from the  Plaza de Armas bus station on this website http://www.autobusesplazadearmas.es/ with some sections available in more than one language.

The ALSA and Eurolines sites are available in English, the TG Comes site has quite of a lot of its information in English (but isn't very easy to navigate!) but the other sites are only in Spanish.

Seville Airport bus

The airport bus (EA, Especial Aeroporto) runs to and from the bus station at Plaza de Armas in the city centre, calling at the Prado San Sebastian bus station and the Santa Justa railway station on the way.

At Plaza de Armas the airport bus now stops INSIDE the bus station building, at stand number 21.

First bus from the city to the airport is at 0430 daily, last bus is at 00.11.  From the airport the first bus is at 05.22, last bus at 01.00. Buses run every 12 to 15 minutes between 0730 and 2100. Earlier and later buses run every 20 - 30 minutes. Additional journeys may run in summer.

One way fare is 4 Euros, return fare 6 Euros. Journey is between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

The download of the information and timetable leaflet has vanished from the website. However times in detail can be checked at https://reddelineas.tussam.es/?lang=en

Gibraltar

ALGARVE - SEVILLE USING THE FERRY?

In the direction Algarve - Seville, you have to take the train or bus to Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA). This town is on the Portuguese side of the wide Guadiana river, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain.

The railway station at Vila Real de Santo António   is at the end of the Algarve line from Lagos, which also serves Portimão, Faro and Tavira etc as do the buses above. Trains run about every two hours; train times are here.

The station in VRSA is about ten minutes walk (flat, no hills) from the ferry terminal. To get from the railway station to the ferry, walk out of the station, straight down the road, past the roundabout and on to the next junction. Turn left and pass through an area of small factories, until you get to a T-junction and can see the river. Turn right and you will see the bus station ahead of you. The ferry is just beyond. The Intermarché supermarket outside the VRSA train station is a good place to stock up. It’s open daily including Sunday afternoons. There aren't any other supermarkets until you get to Spain. The town centre of VRSA is off to the right when you get to the bus station. There you will see bars, restaurants etc. Map here - opens in a new window.

If you are staying somewhere (eg Faro, Tavira, Monte Gordo) where there is a bus to Vila Real de Santo António bus might be best, as the bus station at VRSA is at the ferry terminal.

Seville - Algarve - I have used the coach/ferry/bus option from Seville to Albufeira! It was fairly painless except for a half hour delay caused by traffic congestion on the outskirts of Seville. The coach (cost now €16,76) took me from Seville to Ayamonte, on the Spanish side of the river. The Spanish railway line runs only as far as Huelva and there are only three trains a day, so unless you are coming from elsewhere, the bus from Seville is best. Then it's about 15 minutes easy walk through the town to the ferry terminal. This isn't signposted very well, so keep the river to your left. Then there's the ten minute ferry ride (€1.90) across to Portugal.

Ferry to Ayamonte (Spain)

A little ferry crosses the river between Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) and Ayamonte (Spain).

I have used the ferry a few times. That’s a picture of it to the left. It can take two or three cars and maybe 50 passengers maximum. (Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal, so you gain or lose an hour in the 10 minute crossing of the river.)

Other resources, trust them as you wish! Thanks to Marcel Versteeg in Amstelveen, Netherlands for this and other useful information.

An English language website for Ayamonte has a timetable on line here. The information differs greatly from what is available in Portugal! Website of the Spanish half of the operation here

The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Fare for foot passengers is €1.90; children under 4 go free, ages 4 to 10yrs €1,20.The ticket office at Vila Real is within the restored former customs control building.

TAKE YOUR PASSPORT OR ID CARD! PORTUGUESE FRONTIER POLICE SOMETIMES CHECK THEM BOTH OUTBOUND AND INBOUND. ALSO IT THE LAW HERE IN PORTUGAL THAT ALL ADULTS MUST CARRY PHOTO ID AT ALL TIMES INCLUDING TOURISTS. DIDN'T KNOW THAT, DID YOU!

Ayamonte to/from Seville direct or via Huelva

For all BUS timetable enquiries around Ayamonte, Isla Cristina and Huelva go to the regional bus website here this site is only in Spanish. There are several different buses between Ayamonte and Huelva, so you will have to fish around a little.

The DAMAS bus company runs between Seville (Plaza da Armas) and Ayamonte four times daily on weekdays, six times on Saturdays and three times on Sundays and on public holidays. Journey to Seville is about 2¾ hours, one way fare is €14,62. There are also journeys between Ayamonte and Huelva about every two hours.  You have more options Ayamonte - Seville with a change in Huelva. These journeys are also operated by DAMAS.

Socibus also operate two journeys a day between Ayamonte and Madrid - details below

HUELVA'S NEW RAILWAY STATION AND THE BUS STATION ARE 1.7km (just over 1 mile) apart. Do allow enough time between train and bus if required. I have as yet been unable to figure out the buses that may connect the two. You are welcome to try at http://www.emtusahuelva.com which is not helped by the strange orientation of their map and the fact that the new station is not marked! Any information welcome by email

Trains Huelva - Seville

There are a few trains between Huelva and Seville (Santa Justa). The railway between Ayamonte and Huelva closed long ago and the railway station in Ayamonte was converted into the bus station.

Reservation is not needed between Huelva and Seville.

Train times Huelva to Seville daily at 0655, 1500, 1750 except Saturdays and only until 7th September and 1900. Journey to Seville is about 90 minutes. One way 'Turista' fare is €12,25 but discounted fares are available for advance purchase. There is NO CONNECTION by bus Ayamonte to Huelva for the 0655 train.

Train times Seville Santa Justa to Huelva at 0845 (Saturdays and Sundays), 1000 (weekdays), 1324 except Sundays and only until 3rd September, 1700 and 2050. Additional train on Fridays at 1902 which comes from Madrid.

There is an additional train on Sundays all year from Huelva to Seville at 1750hrs which continues to Madrid Atocha station.

Huelva <> Madrid direct by train

There are a few direct fast trains between Huelva and Madrid Atocha NOT STOPPING in Seville. A Huelva - Madrid train leaves on weekdays at 0800 arriving at 1141.  ((This train does not run between 21 July and 1st September, On Saturdays the Huelva - Madrid train leaves at 1025 and on Sundays at 1620.  The 1025 train runs daily when the 0800 does not run. On Sundays there is a 1750 train Huelva to Madrid. That train also runs on weekdays (not Saturdays) until September 7th.

Return train leaves Madrid at 1805 (except Saturdays) arriving in Huelva at 2145. On some Saturdays and Sundays an additional train runs in the morning, leaving Madrid at 0945. and from 22 July to 3rd September there is a train at 1025. Except on Sundays this train arrives in Huelva at 1450, on Sundays it is 1417. Finally, on Fridays from October 19th there is a 1620 Madrid to Huelva, arriving at 2026.

These trains stop in Córdoba. Details and fares at www.renfe.com - normal tourist class fare one-way is about €50, discounts for advance ticket purchase.  Seat reservation is COMPULSORY. Do check the official website carefully as there are considerable differences between summer and winter times.

Tickets can also be purchased in £ or € at www.loco2.com - an accredited ticket seller for many European railways.

VAN/TAXI/MINIBUS?

A number of companies and travel agents advertise that they will do airport transfers to Seville, so that could be an avenue worth exploring, especially if there is a group of you. For example, try www.yellowfishtransfers.com

LONG DISTANCE BUSES (COACHES) BETWEEN OTHER PARTS OF PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Thanks to Barlavento Expert for much of this information about various other cross border services between Portugal and Spain. There are a lot of enquiries about these buses, as there are almost no trains between Portugal and Spain, as already stated. Don't forget that Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal. All times given below are local time to the country and city concerned.

I have checked as much of the information as I can through the company websites. Advance reservation is required on almost all the buses (coaches to UK readers) so you must check all times etc before committing yourself.

Many of the routes between Portugal and Spain are now jointly operated by the Spanish ALSA company (this company is owned by National Express, a UK train and bus operator) and Portuguese company Rede Expressos. Most of the ALSA website website and on-line booking system is in English. The Rede Expressos site is available in English and French. Also, the INTERNORTE consortium website offers domestic and international services. EUROLINES - see below

The timetables do not state so specifically, but services on holidays are usually as for Sunday times. Service may not operate on New Year's Day (1st January) and may be reduced on December 24th, 25th, 31st and subject to change around major holidays eg Easter. Tickets should be bought in advance if at all possible, especially in summer. I do not claim that this information is comprehensive. There may well be other links, especially in the north of the country, but this site is really about the Algarve.

BARCELONA - LISBON (CHANGE REQUIRED IN MADRID) Operated by ALSA.

Leaving Barcelona North Bus Station at 1300 arriving Lisbon Sete Rios at 0645 . The 1300 departure also stops at Zaragoza and Madrid Airport. Change buses in Madrid (Interchange Avenida das Americas, then it calls at Madrid (Estacion Sur), Caceres, Badajoz, Estremoz, Evora, Montemor, Setubal and Lisbon Gare Oriente.

The 1300 from Barcelona operates daily so far as I can tell.

From Lisbon towards Barcelona the departure from Sete Rios is at 2100, arriving in Barcelona at 1650 the following day, calling at the same places.

Tickets one way €72,11 purchased on line.

BARCELONA - PORTO (CHANGE REQUIRED IN MADRID)

Operated by ALSA -  please check details on their website.

One journey each day in summer, four times a week in winter, taking about 18 hours for the trip. Times vary according to season, so please check details on the website above and note that their English language section refers to Porto as 'Oporto'. There is a two hour wait in Madrid. Some journeys operate via Madrid Airport.

The Internorte bus company also operates Porto - Madrid - Barcelona three times a week; times and reservations at http://www.internorte.pt/

MADRID AND LISBON/PORTO

Madrid <> Lisbon via Badajoz and Évora jointly operated by ALSA and Rede Expressos. One-way fare daytime from €39 to €50, night-time fare from €31 to €40. There is no exchange or refund on the lowest price tickets. These journeys now call at the airports in Lisbon and Madrid.

Two journeys daily all year, one daytime and one overnight. An extra daytime journey runs in each direction during July and August. Journey time is about 11 hours daytime, 10 hours overnight. Buses leave/arrive at from Madrid Airport Terminal 4 via the city. Departures from Madrid Airport 0930, 1400 (July and August only) and 2130 stopping also in Madrid city centre at Avenida América and the Estaction Sur bus station, thence via Mérida, Badajoz and Évora to Lsibon Oriente, Lisbon Airport and Lisbon Sete Rios.

Departures from Lisbon Sete Rios are at 0830, 1400 (July and August), 2100 via the same route. NB the 1400 from Lisbon arrives at Madrid Airport at midnight Spanish time.

MADRID <> LISBON via BADAJOZ, ELVAS, MONTEMOR AND SETUBAL - Operated byAvanzabus

Three journeys each way on weekdays, two each way at weekends and on holidays. One journey each day is overnight. Journey time about 8 hours. Full timetable on the Avanzabus website in Spanish only. Downloadable timetables are no longer available. One-way standard adult fare Lisbon > Madrid is €43,30, some discounted tickets (no exchange, no refund) are available on certain journyts. Vehicles are configured with 33 seats only, including single seats. Some journeys now also call at Lisbon Airport.

Madrid <> Porto via Salamanca with connection to Coimbra etc Operated by ALSA

One daytime journey each way every day, journey time 9hrs 30 minutes. Check the ALSA website for times. One way fare €37 no refund or exchange, €48 flexible fare.

LISBON - SALAMANCA - MADRID - BILBAO AND SAN SEBASTIAN - joint operation between Rede Expressos and ALSA

Section added 20th July, details from a printed timetable obtained in Lisbon. Please check at official websites before making firm travel plans.

From Lisbon Sete Rios at 0700 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, picks up to Lisbon Oriente 0715 then via Fátima (0830), Coimbra (1000), Salamanca (1545), Valladolid (1700), Burgos (1800), Bilbao (2030) and arriving at San Sebastian 2200. Connection available at the Portugal / Spain border to Madrid and Madrid Airport via Avila.

From San Sebastian at 0715 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays via Bilbao (0845), Burgos (1015), Valladolid (1215), Salamanca (1430), Coimbra (1745), Fátima (1845) arriving Lisbon Oriente at 2000 and Sete Rios at 2015. Connection from Madrid Airport at 1015, Madrid Estacion Sur 1115, Avila 1230.

LISBON - SALAMANCA - MADRID via Aveiro - joint operation between Rede Expressos and ALSA

From Lisbon Sete Rios at 0730 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, calling at Lisbon Oriente 0745, Fátima 0915, Coimbra 1030 and Aveiro 1115. Change at Aveiro for Salamanca (1745), Avila (1845), Madrid Estacion Sur (2000) and Madrid Airport arrival at 2100.

From Madrid Airport at 0900 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, stopping at Madrid Estacion Sur 1000, Avila 1115, Salamanca 1230 and Aveiro at 1700. Change at Aveiro for Coimbra (1745), Fátima (1900), Lisbon Oriente (2030) with arrival at Lisbon Sete Rios 2045.

PORTO - ANDORRA VIA (Zaragoza, Burgos) NORTH WEST SPAIN also serves Bragança, Braga, Guimarães etc in Portugal

Fridays and Sundays all year in both directions, also operates on certain other dates. See http://www.interurbana.ad/index.php available in numerous languages.Journeys actually start / end in Vila Praia Ancora and stop also at Ponte da Lima, Braga, Guimarães, Amarante, Vila Real and Bragança. In Spain they stop in Valladolid, Burgos and Zarazoga, among others.

There is also this operation three times a week Porto - Braga - Chaves - Valladolid - Burgos - across Spain to Andorra - http://www.rutasvigo.com/destinos.php

PORTO - VIGO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA  via Porto airport and Valença

AUTNA BUS

Six journeys each way on weekdays, three journeys each way Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. All journeys stop at Porto airport.

Connections available at Vigo to and from Santiago de Compostela, also possible by train or local bus. International service  operated by AUTNA www.autna.com website now available partly in English. Tickets can be bought on line - one way fare Porto to Vigo €12, return (round-trip) €21 - discounts available for certain travellers. Downloadable timetable can be seen here. Some journeys serve the main long distance bus station in Porto Campo 24 de Agosto for easier connections to other cities. The 'Aliados McDonald's' stop is 120 metres from the metro station Aliados in the city centre and is directly outside a McDonald's. This is same place where many tour buses stop. I did not see any actual 'AUTNA' sign. The location is also served by many city buses, some (eg route 500) are shown as going to Praça de Liberdade, the name of the public square.

PORTO TO VIGO ,SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AND LA CORUNÃ via Porto Airport and Braga

  Advance booking is VERY highly recommended. Operated jointly by ALSA and Rede Expressos

xxx - runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only.     a - local trains and buses may provide a connection.

FLIXBUS

Low cost coaches to and from major Portuguese cities and towns. They are expanding rapidly, check their website www.flixbus.com

IBEROCOACH

One or two daily journeys Porto - Braga - Vigo - Santiago de Compostela and further into northern Spain at www.iberocoach.com one trip calls at Porto Airport and I notice that they have different departure points in Porto, so check carefully.

See also this page on Trip Advisor. Updates are no longer allowed therefore some details are now out of date! - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187506-c56944/Galicia:Spain:Portugal.Galicia.Via.Public.Transport.html

Socibus service Madrid Airport - Madrid - Cordoba - Ayamonte

Operated by Socibus
Madrid Airport stop is at Terminal One. Please check all times when buying tickets. There are no downloadable timetables on their website. One-way fare Madrid (City or Airport) <> Ayamonte €30 approx. purchased via website. Journey time almost 9 hours.

Two journeys each day and one overnight, stopping at Isla Cristina, La Antilla and Lepe, then on to Cordoba and Madrid. These do not stop in Seville.

Eurolines

The Eurolines company operates a number of routes connecting Portugal with the outside world.
A number of these times are the same as routes operated by other companies,  they are a 'code share' type operation.
Several of the routes involve a change of vehicle, but through tickets are available.

Routes: Madrid-Mérida-Badajoz>>>>Elvas-Estremoz-Évora-Montemor - Setubal - Lisbon
Madrid-Ávila-Salamanca-Ciudad Rodrigo>>>>Guarda-Viseu-Porto-Fátima-Lisbon - Vila Real St. António - Algeciras-Huelva-Jerez-Málaga-Sevilla-Granada>>>>Faro-Setubal-Lisbon-Fátima-Porto Barcelona-Lleida-Zaragoza>>>>Vilar Formoso-Guarda-Celorico-Mangualde-Viseu-Albergaria-Porto

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS  IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN 2019/ 2020

Click here for a list of Portuguese public and religious holidays until end 2020. In general trains and buses run to Sunday times on these holidays. At Christmas and New Year public transport does operate, but services may be reduced and in very rural areas local bus service is nil. All Spanish holidays are listed here - external link in a new window.

Note that, as in Portugal, Spanish holidays are not ‘moved’ and are held on the given date regardless of the day of the week. Also, there are many local holidays and festivals. Particularly in rural areas, bus service may not operate on these days. Do check locally if making an important journey.

For an alphabetical list of places in the Algarve, please click here.
For a bus map of the Algarve click here
For a quick list of all timetables on the site click here
For some important general notes about buses in the Algarve, click here

Algarve Bus.Info home page