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.Some sections will be more up to date than others.
Do always check at official websites when booking tickets. Times may change at short notice especially around major holidays. I cannot keep track of them all!
Sections are updated as and when I discover or am told that things have changed!

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

THERE ARE NO TRAINS,THERE NEVER HAVE BEEN! THERE IS A WIDE RIVER AT THE BORDER

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.

FLYING TO OR FROM SPAIN

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

You can fly between Faro and Barcelona with Vueling Air at least twice each week from mid-May until late October.
Vueling also fly between Faro and Madrid two or three times week between mid-July and mid-September.

Ryanair fly between Faro and Barcelona or Madrid in summer, but not every day.
Complete information on all scheduled flights at Faro airport can be viewed here - the link will open in a new window.

TRAIN TO SPAIN VIA OR FROM THE ALGARVE

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 currently has only six trains a day. Five run to and from Seville and one is direct to and from Cordoba and Madrid. See below.
 In fact there are only four trains a day (normally) between anywhere in Portugal and anywhere in Spain. And none of them in the Algarve.

TRAINS LISBON OR PORTO <> MADRID OR SEVILLE VIA ELVAS AND BADAJOZ

There are no direct trains!!

A daytime train journey between Lisbon or Porto and Madrid is just about possible, twice each day on weekdays, once each day at weekends.
This takes about 10 hours, requires three or four different trains and a sometimes a fairly tight connection in Badajoz, Spain.
It is not possible to buy one ticket for the whole journey! I have the details here.

A train journey between Lisbon or Porto and Seville can be made once every day. This takes ten hours and requires three changes of train. Details here.

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

PLEASE check official websites before making firm travel plans.

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

There are two daytime journeys and one 'overnight' all year, with a very early arrival, long before anything is open. Extra journeys may run in summer. The journeys Lisbon - Seville takes about 7 hours.

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

Tickets may (normally) be purchased up to two months in advance (sometimes longer) at either www.rede-expressos.pt or www.alsa.es (both are available in English) or at bus station ticket offices.
Other operators vehicles are sometimes used. Your vehicle may not have ALSA or Rede Expressos written on it, so do pay attention!

There are NO on board food or drink services. There are rest stops at motorway services about every 2 hours. Wifi is supposed to be available on board but often does not work.

There are three or four local buses every hour between Seville (Plaza de Armas) and Seville airport. Click here for details.

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.

FLIXBUS also operate between Seville and Lisbon. Timetables vary according to season. Find their website or app for times and tickets.

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

Two different coach / bus companies operate cross border services between the Algarve and Seville, also between Lisbon and Seville via Albufeira and Faro including stops at Faro Airport. Some journeys also stop in Tavira. These two companies are : ALSA and Flixbus. In winter there are between five and eight journeys each day across the two companies. Follow links to see their details. More frequent in summer.

GETTING ON OR OFF AT PORTIMÃO?

The long distance bus station used by all companies is in Rua Abicada is 1.5km from the town centre. Very few local buses go there. Do allow enough time to get there. Location details etc here.

GETTING ON OR OFF AT ALBUFEIRA?

ALSA, Flixbus and Rede Expressos use Albufeira's main bus station located 1.6km (1 mile) from the town centre and main hotel districts. All local and regional buses use this bus station. A few also go closer to the town. City buses, uber, bolt and taxis are available there for journeys to and from the main part of town. More information here.

EARLY MORNING DEPARTURES - TICKET OFFICE HOURS

REDE EXPRESSOS BUS STATION TICKET OFFICES ARE NOT OPEN FOR THE NIGHT-TIME OR MOST VERY EARLY MORNING DEPARTURES

Travellers intending to get a very early ALSA or Rede Expressos service should buy their tickets from the company website, app or at the bus station prior to the day of travel. Flixbus do not have ticket offices in most places. On line purchase is the norm.

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

THE VEHICLES NORMALLY USED ARE LIGHT BLUE IN COLOUR BUT THEY MAY USE OTHERS

CHECK TIMES CAREFULLY AT OFFICIAL WEBSITES OR APPS IN CASE OF SHORT TERM CHANGE.

One way tickets Lagos <> Seville from €17 advance purchase, no refund, no exchange. Normal price from €22 to maximum €61 on some morning journeys.
 Lisbon <> Seville from €22 advance purchase, no refund, no exchange. Normal price from €30.

↓ - does not stop here 0130 and 0245 - So far as is known these stop OUTSIDE the bus station at Faro   See also Flixbus information below
SPANISH TIME IS 1 HOUR AHEAD OF PORTUGUESE TIME. CHECK YOUR WATCHES! All journeys run daily. The times below are shown on the official website as current until at least 30th June 2026. These are pretty much the set times for the year. Please do check carefully at official websites before making firm travel and hotel plans, especially if travelling around major holidays.
↓- does not stop						B		↓- does not stop	E					D
Lagos Bus Station	0800	---	1030	From	1530	From		Seville Santa Justa Railway Station	0730	0930	---	1530	1800	2330
Portimão Bus Station Rua Abicada**	0830	---	1100	Lisbon	1600	Lisbon		Seville Plaza de Armas Bus Station	0800	1000	1500	1600	1830	2359
Albufeira Bus Station**	0900	From	1130	1430	1630	0145		Huelva Bus Station##	↓	↓	1600	↓	↓	0100
Faro Airport	0945	Lisbon	1215	1515	1715	0300		Tavira Bus Station	↓	1100	1600	↓	1930	0100
Faro Bus Station	1000	1045	1230	1530	1730	0245^		Faro Airport	0930	1145	1645	1745	2015	0145
Tavira Bus Station	1045	↓	1315	1615	1815	0330		Faro Bus Station	0945	1200	1700	1800	2030	0130^
Huelva Bus Station##	↓	1315	↓	↓	↓	0530		Albufeira Bus Station**	↓	1245	1745	1845	2115	0215
Seville Plaza de Armas Bus Station	1345	1415	1615	1915	2115	0630		Portimão Bus Station Rua Abicada**	to	1315	to	1915	2145	to
Seville Santa Justa Railway Station	1415	-----	1645	1945	2145	0700		Lagos Bus Station	Lisbon	1345	Lisbon	1945	2215	Lisbon
Notes : ** the  bus stations used in Albufeira and Portimão are about 1 mile /1.6km from the town centre. Allow enough time to get there! ## - reported that these journeys stop inside Huelva bus station but departures are not announced or included on the electronic sign boards. B - there are NO BUS connections to Albufeira and Faro from Lagos or Portimão. Or anywhere else. Ticket offices are not open. Buy in advance or on line. D - there are NO bus connections at either Faro or Albufeira to anywhere before about 0630. E - This journey from Seville does NOT stop in Albufeira. There is a VAMUS bus (route 56, Aerobus) from Faro Bus Station to Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos but not until 1100. There is a train to Portimão and Lagos at 1023 daily. The railway station is two minutes walk from Faro Bus Station. The train also stops at Albufeira - Ferreiras station, located 6km / 4 miles from the town, a 20 minute bus ride or 10 minutes in a taxi. LOCAL BUS TICKETS IN THE ALGARVE - Buy at the bus station ticket office where you get on the bus or download the VAMUS Algarve app and set up an account to pay via your mobile device. If the ticket office is closed, payment on board is cash only.

Check times at the Flixbus website or their app before making firm travel plans. Flixbus are noted for changes to their times at very short notice!

Section updated 12th May 2026. These are the current times which I have checked up until 30th June 2026.

Flixbus now stop at Albufeira's main bus station, the Terminal Rodovíario in Rua Sir Paul Harris!  This is 1 mile / 1.6km from the town centre
Flixbus do not have a ticket office or any customer facility there! Their official re-seller agencies are elsewhere in the town.
There are notices everywhere that the ticket office will not provide information or sell tickets for Flixbus. They work for the other company!
 The Flixbus stop in Faro is temporarily outside the bus station in Avenida da Républica, opposite the EVA Senses hotel. It is 150 metres from the railway station.
 In Portimão, Flixbus use the bus station in Rua Abicada, 1.5km or almost a mile from the town centre.

FLIXBUS LAGOS <> SEVILLE VIA PORTIMÃO, ALBUFEIRA, FARO AIRPORT, FARO AND HUELVA

<<<<<   You may see this style of bus on this route. Monbus supply vehicles and drivers to Flixbus. Some Monbus vehicles are the same green colour as Flixbus.

All journeys run daily

These are current and known future times, which may change with little warning! Please check at official website or app.
A, B,C D and E FLIXBUS do not stop - some connections available by local buses - see below
The 1505 journey from Lagos will run 1 hour earlier on and from 25th May.
The 2355 journey from Seville does not run before 1st June
Other journeys are available between Albufeira, Faro and Seville. Check Flixbus website or app.

Connections between other Flixbus journeys Seville to Faro and v.v. with local buses and trains to and from Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira.

Seville to Faro then Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos

Check train times and buy tickets up to 60 days in advance at https://www.cp.pt/en

Flixbus Seville to Faro at 1255 arrives in Faro Bus Station at 1425. VAMUS route bus 57 leaves Faro for Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos at 1445 but only on weekdays. Flixbus run a journey at 1500hrs to Portimão and Lagos. To get to Albufeira on winter weekends, you have to wait until the VAMUS route 57 bus at 1600hrs.

Flixbus Seville to Faro at 1750 arrives Faro Bus Station at 1920. VAMUS route 57 bus leaves Faro for Albufeira and Portimão at 1945 daily from 1st May until 31st October, runs only on weekdays during winter. The only option to get to Portimão and Lagos on winter weekends and holidays is to wait for the train from Faro at 2050hrs.

Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira to Faro, then to Seville

The only other journeys 'filling in the gaps' run from Faro to Seville at 0155 and 1935. There is no connection from anywhere for the 0155 journey. For the 1935 journey to Seville, in summer there is VAMUS Aerobus route 56 from Lagos at 1645, Portimão Abicada 1715, Albufeira Main Bus Station++ at 1800 with arrival in Faro at 1855. Alternatively, there is a train from Portimão at 1744 and Albufeira++ at 1837, arriving in Faro at 1916. But Rede Expressos has a direct journey from Portimão and Albufeira to Seville later than Flixbus.  ++ Albufeira main bus station is 1 mile / 1.6km from the town centre - information here. The railway station is 5km from the town, buses run to it from the main bus station.

FLIXBUS  LISBON (Oriente) <> ALBUFEIRA <> FARO AIRPORT  <> FARO <> HUELVA <> SEVILLE

Flixbus will be operating four direct journeys every day in summer. Journey time is about 7 hours. The overnight journey is already running from Lisbon to Seville, but not in the other direction until 1st June. On the overnight journeys, arrival is VERY early, 0545am, long before anything is open. Other journeys are possible with a change of vehicle en route. These will be offered when searching. More journeys may run in peak summer months.

SEVILLE - CONNECTIONS AT PLAZA DE ARMAS BUS STATION

The Plaza de Armas bus terminal in Seville is about 3.2 km across the city from the Santa Justa railway station. It is about 2km from the Prado San Sebastian Bus Station.  Official website for the bus station here.

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. The site is available in Spanish and English. There is a lot more information about Seville, including maps here

The single line of Seville's metro (underground) rail network 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 Bernardo 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/ - no longer it seems available in English.

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

Buses to suburban and regional destinations

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.  Each bus compnay has its own own ticket/enquiry offices inside. In particular this includes the popular DAMAS route for tourists Sevilla  – Ronda –  Chipiona – Málaga. I suggest you check times and buy tickets in advance at the DAMAS website.

** The short tram line runs between San Bernado metro station via Prado San Sebastian bus station 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.

A short extra note about the Prado San Sebastian bus station, personal visit in 2023. Not very busy! There is a small waiting area at the far end with luggage lockers of various sizes available maximum 24 hours for €2 or €3 depending on size. There is a small shop and bar, more of both just outside. There are various screens dotted around showing the next few buses and the stops they leave from. The whole building is on one level, no steps anywhere.

At Plaza de Armas there is a small waiting area with steps and escalators down to the bus stops. There is a small café and shop, also luggage lockers. City buses stop outside, to the left, in Calle Torneo.

The route M124 bus from Seville to Carmona, operated by CASAL, starts from San Bernardo, at the railway and metro station and runs via Avenida San Franciso Javier and Avenida Kansas City towards Carmona. This bus DOES NOT STOP at the airport. All the stops and times (check all the options!) can be seen here

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

Long distance buses (coaches) to many destinations leave from the Plaza de Armas, but some leave from the Prado San Sebastian. The C3 and C4 circular TUSSAM bus routes link the two bus stations with buses every few minutes.

These companies use Plaza de Armas - ALSA, DAMAS, SOCIBUS, 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. Plaza de Armas is located about 3.2km (2 miles) from the Santa Justa Railway Station.

The bus companies Autocares Casal, Monbus, IASA/Transtres, DAMAS, ALSA, AVANZABUS,  TG COMES, LEDA and SOCIBUS use the Prado San Sebastian terminal, often just referred to as Prado.

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!

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 starts outside the bus station in Calle Torneo.

First bus from the city to the airport is at 04.30 daily, last bus is at 00.09.  From the airport the first bus is at 05.20, last bus at 01.00. Buses run every 12 to 15 minutes between 0800 and 2100. Earlier and later buses run every 20 - 30 minutes.

One way fare is 6 Euros. Cash and card accepted on board. Can be purchased on line at https://www.tussam.es/es/compra-de-billete-bus-aeropuerto Return (round trip) fare is 8 Euros but valid only on the day of purchase and the following day. Journey is between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

The information and timetable leaflet can be seen here.

Gibraltar from Seville

TG Comes bus company operates three or four four journeys each day from Seville (Prado San Sebastian) to La Linea, for Gibraltar.  The journey takes 4 hours 10 minutes, details and tickets at their website. There is no public transport across the Spain/Gibraltar border. You have to walk the very short distance (about 500 metres) across the border from La Linea bus station, then take a local bus or taxi on the Gibraltar side into the main part of town. The bus stop is straight down the road about 2 minutes walk once you are through the border checkpoint. Buses to and from the Frontier run every 15 minutes weekdays and Saturdays, every 20 minutes on Sundays and Holidays - bus website for information is https://www.citibus.gi/

Alternatively you can go to Algeciras by GRUPO VALENZUELA coach (bus) from Seville, then by a frequent local bus to La Linea.

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. Train times are very irregular; the current 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 down the road ahead of you. The ferry is to the left, by the bus station. 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 adjacent to the ferry terminal.

Seville - Algarve - I have used the coach/ferry/bus option from Seville to Albufeira via the ferry! It was fairly painless except for a half hour delay caused by traffic congestion on the outskirts of Seville. The coach (cost now about €15) took me in three hours from Seville to Ayamonte bus station, on the Spanish side of the river. Times and tickets at www.alsa.es

From the bus station it's about 15 minutes flat 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 (€2,50) across to Portugal - see below.

The Spanish railway line from Madrid and Seville runs only as far as Huelva. There are only four trains a day between Huelva and Seville and one more between Huelva and Madrid which does not stop in Seville. For train times and tickets go to www.renfe.com

Ferry between Vila Real de Santo António and Ayamonte (Spain)

Ferries are more frequent in summer.
Times as on the official website 4th May 2026. Later times are not available
The service has been reduced from what it was earlier this year.
From Vila Real de Santo António to Ayamonte Portuguese time weekdays and Saturdays 0930, 1100, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800 and1915
Sundays and Holidays 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1500 and 1600 .
From Ayamonte  to Vila Real de Santo António Spanish time weekdays and Saturdays 1000 and every hour until 1800.
Sundays  and Holidays at  1100, 1200, 1300,  1400, 1600, 1700

The crossing takes about 15 minutes. Fare for foot passengers is €2,50; children under 4 go free, ages 4 to 10yrs €1,50. The ticket office at Vila Real is next to the restored former customs control building, now a police station. The ferry dock is next to Vila Real's bus station, but about 10 minutes walk from the railway station. Location Map

I have used the ferry a few times. On the left is one ferry in use  - click or tap to see full size. The larger boat was moored and obviously laid up for the winter. Note  Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portugal, so you gain or lose an hour in the 10 minute crossing of the river. Check the return times carefully!

Take your passport or ID card! Portuguese border police sometimes check. It is the law in Portugal that all adults, including tourists, must carry some form of ID at all times.

Coach / Bus Ayamonte to/from Seville and Madrid direct or via Huelva

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

The DAMAS company runs several daily journeys between Seville (Plaza da Armas) and Ayamonte. LAB = weekdays, SAB = Saturdays, DOM = Sundays and Holidays. Salidas = departures. * These journeys also go to Seville Santa Justa Railway station and Seville Airport.

Ayamonte to Seville (Plaza de Armas) LAB at 0640, 0700*, 0930, 1130, 1300*, 1530, 1730 and 1900
Ayamonte to Seville (Plaza de Armas) SAB at 0700,* 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500 and 1930.
Ayamonte to Seville (Plaza de Armas) DOM at 0900, 1100, 1315*, 1500,1700 and 1930.

* These journeys start from Seville Airport 1 hour before the time at Plaza de Armas and stop at Santa Justa Railway Station 30 minutes before.

Seville (Plaza de Armas) to Ayamonte LAB at 0730, 0930, 1130, 1330*, 1530, 1730 and 1930*
Seville (Plaza de Armas) to Ayamonte SAB at 0730, 0930, 1130, 1330*,1530 and 1930*
Seville (Plaza de Armas) to Ayamonte DOM at 0930, 1130, 1330*, 1530 and 1930*.

Summer service is slightly more frequent.

Journey is about three hours, one way fare is €17,25 purchased via the website. 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 MADRID AIRPORT - MADRID -  CORDÓBA - AYAMONTE

One day time and one overnight journey in each direction. Journey time about nine hours. Website for times and tickets here.

Trains Huelva <> Seville

Do check the official website carefully in case of short term changes -  www.renfe.com is the place to go.  Reservations are required. Trains can and do sell out.

The RENFE site is available in various languages. Ticket prices Huelva - Seville  from €10,15 one way. Journey time about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Huelva's railway station and the bus station are 1.7km (just over 1 mile) apart. Do allow enough time between train and bus if required. The Huelva city bus website is  http://www.emtusahuelva.com. Routes 2 and 4 run between the bus station and railway station, only in that direction. Routes 5 and 8 stop near the railway station going towards the bus station.

Times until further notice : Huelva to Seville (Santa Justa) at 0630, 1051, 1500, 1750 and 1857 daily.  Seville (Santa Justa) to Huelva at 0848, 1240, 1248, 1704 and 2050 daily.

The trains in bold type are classed 'Intercity' and have variable fares according to demand etc. Between Huelva and Seville these also stop at La Palma Del Condado. The other trains are Media Distancia and have fixed prices. Media Distancia trains also stop at San Juan del Puerto, Villarassa, La Palma Del Condado, Escacena, Carrión De Los Cèspedes and Benacazón.

Huelva <> Madrid direct by train

Times from 14th June 2026 until further notice. Times before then are different by only five minutes at the most.
Please check the official RENFE website carefully when buying tickets and in case of short term alterations.
Other options are available by changing at Seville. Check the official website for your exact date of travel.

Key : SHX - does not run on Sundays and Holidays; SUN - runs only on Sundays and Holidays

Seat reservation is COMPULSORY. Trains are frequently sold out - book early! Tickets can also be purchased in £ or € at https://raileurope.com/ - or at trainline.com both are accredited ticket sellers 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

The information below is a guide.  Check at official websites before making travel plans.

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.

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 subject to change around major holidays especially Easter, Christmas and New Year. 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.

Many routes between Portugal and Spain are now jointly operated by the Spanish ALSA company (owned by National Express, a UK train and bus operator) and Portuguese company Rede Expressos. Tickets for those below may be purchased at either company's website. Both are available in English. ALSA and Rede Expressos

Flixbus also offer services between many Portuguese and Spanish cities and towns. Some are shown below.

BARCELONA <> LISBON (CHANGE REQUIRED IN MADRID)

with REDE EXPRESSOS / ALSA

Journey time about 18 hours. There is currently one direct journey each way plus two more options 'overnight' both with a wait of about two hours in Madrid. These journeys also stop at Madrid Airport. Ticket price from €34 to €90 according to how far ahead you book and which journey. Flixbus also offer two daily journeys, of either 16 or 22 hours.

BARCELONA <> PORTO (CHANGE REQUIRED IN MADRID) with REDE EXPRESSOS / ALSA

Two journeys every day, requiring a wait of two or three hours in Madrid. Journey time 18 to 19 hours. Tickets between €31 and €50. Check times on the official websites. Also serves Madrid and Porto airports. Starts and ends at Barcelona Nord bus station.
Flixbus also offer this route but with an even longer journey of about 24 hours!

MADRID - LISBON AND PORTO BY TRAIN

This journey can be done once or twice daily, but only if you are brave! The direct trains are long gone. The trip requires 3 or 4 different trains, including some very slow ones. Scenic though! I have put together some details as below, but please do check at official websites. You will need separate tickets for the Portuguese and Spanish trains. You cross the border at Badajoz.
Please click or tap this link to go to the train details. There is a thought that some time next year (2027) passenger trains may use the new freight line soon to be opened on the Portuguese side. This could reduce the Lisbon - Madrid train journey to 8 hours. Don't hold your breath.

MADRID - PORTO via Salamanca and Guarda

with REDE EXPRESSOS / ALSA

Two daytime and one night-time journey direct every day.Ticket price €16 - €31 daytime, €57 - 60 night-time, journey time 8 - 9 hours. The very cheap fares are limited in number and available only for advance purchases.Stops at Porto and Madrid airports.

MADRID - PORTO via Salamanca and Guarda with FLIXBUS

Flixbus offer, as of May 2026, two daily direct journeys one daytime via Guarda and Salamanca, one overnight via Coimbra and Salamanca. Times and tickets at www.flixbus.com or their app.

MADRID - LISBON

with REDE EXPRESSOS / ALSA

Madrid <> Lisbon via Badajoz and Évora One-way fare from €15 (advance), €27 (standard). There is no exchange or refund on the lowest price tickets. These journeys now call at the airports in Lisbon and Madrid.

Three journeys currently running every day, two daytime and one overnight. Extra journeys run on some dates. Journey time is 8 to 9 hours. Check times on the official website which will possibly be different when you wish to travel.

MADRID - LISBON with FLIXBUS

Flixbus offer, as of May 2026, six journeys every day taking between 7 and 8 hours. Times and tickets at www.flixbus.com or their app

LISBON - SALAMANCA - MADRID - BILBAO AND SAN SEBASTIAN

Flixbus have, as of May 2026, one daily direct journey taking 11hrs 35 minutes plus several more longer journey options

Try www.rede-expressos.pt for other possible journey options. Their fastest journey from Lisbon to San Sebastian is 11 hours 30 minutes. Most are two hours or more longer.

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/contingut/linia_andorra_portugal/idMenu-3 in English. 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. Their website currently recommends checking times for short notice changes. Tickets are around €80!

Another company has its downloadable timetable at http://autocareslazara.com/servicios/#lineas

They run to Andorra on Fridays, returning to Portugal on Sundays. They stop in several places in the north of Portugal, including Porto, Braga and Guimarães.

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

International service operated by AUTNA BUS

Autna website for times and tickets is https://www.autna.com Service is currently four journeys each way on weekdays, two on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. The current timetable can be viewed here. They are also offering an 'on demand' service at Porto airport via this link (In English) - https://www.autna.com/en/special-service-on-demand-at-porto-airport/

They use the Vigo bus station 'Estación Intermodal de Vigo' (VIALIA). This is next to the Vigo Urzáiz Railway Station, but about 1.3km from the other Vigo railway station at Guixar. Connections are available at Vigo to and from Santiago de Compostela, which is also possible by train or local bus. Trains are also available between Vigo Urzáiz station, Santiago de Compostela and La Coruña - www.renfe.com for times and tickets.

This Porto - Vigo route also stops in Valença do Minho, Vila Nova da Cerveira and Viana do Castelo, but only for passengers who have purchased tickets on line and in advance.

Tickets can be bought on line - one way fare Porto to Vigo €14,90 return (round-trip) €26,10 - small discounts available for those under 26 or 65 and over. Exception! Higher fares are charged for the early morning journey at 0430am from Vigo.

In Porto, these journeys stop at the Airport, Casa da Musica metro / local bus station and the main Campanhã Bus Station, for easy connections to trains, long distance and many regional buses to all parts of Portugal.

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

International service operated jointly by ALSA and Rede Expressos

Four or five journeys each way every day in winter, increased to five or six in summer. Check websites. Several stops in Porto including some journeys stopping at the airport.

FLIXBUS - PORTO (Campanhã) - VIGO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Six or seven journeys daily in summer (fewer in winter) with FLIXBUS these also stop at Porto Airport. There are also direct services between Braga and Vigo.
The vehicles of MONBUS are used on this route. Some journeys require a change of vehicle in Vigo.
Journey time Porto to Vigo about 2hrs 30 minutes, to Santiago de Compostela is about four hours thirty minutes.

Trains between Porto and Vigo

RENFE (Spanish State Railways) operates two direct trains every day between Porto Campanhã and Vigo. These call at Nine (connections from and to Braga), Viana do Castelo and Valença. Reservations are compulsory. Times and tickets at www.renfe.com with journey time of about 2hrs 25 minutes.

ADVICE - reconstruction work on the Spanish side means that buses will replace trains between Valença (Portugal) and Vigo (Spain) until April 2027. The times of the replacement buses have been announced as being the same as for the trains. I do though strongly recommend you check at the official RENFE website before buying tickets.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS  IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN 2026 - 2027

Click here for a list of Portuguese public and religious holidays until end 2027. 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.

Portuguese and 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. 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
Home Page

www.algarvebus.info