The information has been obtained from printed timetables and
other local sources (like taking the bus) and is given in good
faith.
Most GIRO bus winter service ends at around
2000hrs / 8pm every day.
From 1st July to 30th September, GIRO buses on some routes
will run until 1030pm / 2230hrs.
Albufeira Bus Terminal is on the outskirts of town about 1.6km / 1 mile from the old town.
Most of these buses DO NOT pass through
the town centre or the main hotel areas.
Allow yourself enough time to get to there! There is more
information here.
Maps for Albufeira including location of the bus station /
terminal, are here.
Large map of old town showing different bus stops and other
transport information here.
When boarding at the Bus Terminal, you must buy
your ticket from the ticket office, except when boarding the local
GIRO buses. Allow a few minutes for this. If boarding elsewhere,
pay the driver as usual. Change is given, but try to have small
change or at most a €10 note!
Timetables for VAMUS buses are posted on a noticeboard in the
middle of the waiting room. On one side is a small TV screen
listing the next few buses.
Bus Station interior. I will try to get a better one!
| LINKS
TO TIMETABLE PAGES Click or tap for more detail about these routes and links to timetables. |
|||||
| Vale de Parra |
Balaia and
Olhos D'Agua |
Albufeira Marina |
Carvoeiro |
Armação de Pêra |
|
| DIRECT BUS TO
AIRPORT |
For the bus times between Albufeira
and the other main coastal resorts, click here. |
||||
All buses towards Ferreiras and beyond also stop at Camping Albufeira
(the stops up on the main road, not the one just outside) about 5
minutes after leaving the bus station. The entrance to the Clube
Albufeira resort complex is opposite Camping Albufeira.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Infos en français, auf Deutsch, em Portugues içi, hier, aqui
Bus stops and times are shown on Google Maps. I cannot say
whether the information is accurate everywhere, but it is for the
stop I use most of the time.
<<<<<<< One of the new electric buses now
being used.
Buses normally used have low steps also a wheelchair ramp and are
accessible to disabled persons. Fifteen seat minibuses are used on
some journeys on weekdays and many journeys at weekends. These
have a wheelchair and buggy space at the back with a ramp. 
Picture to right >>>>>
NEW PASSES! If you have
been to Albufeira before 1st September 2022 and have kept your pre
pay, monthly or seniors pass, these WILL NO LONGER WORK! You will
have to go the bus station and obtain new ones. The pre pay pass
will cost you €3, the monthly or seniors pass €5.
GIRO TICKETS AND PASSES CANNOT BE USED ON OTHER BUSES, nor can tickets from VAMUS buses be used on GIRO.
GIRO hours of service - winter
first buses at around 0700, last buses between 1900 and 1930.
Summer times apply from 1st June to 30th September when some
routes will run until 2230hrs. All routes run daily.
Some have a reduced service at weekends.
Last buses are therefore passing through the main part of town,
depending on where you are, in winter between 1915 and 1945, in
summer between 2145 and 2215..
For a summary of bus times in the old town area, click here. Will open in a new window. For
a summary of last Giro buses from the Bus Station, click or tap here.
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FOR A SUMMARY OF THE LAST BUSES BACK TO ALBUFEIRA FROM THE PLACES BELOW, PLEASE CLICK HERE
FOR A SUMMARY OF THE LAST BUSES FROM ALBUFEIRA TO THE PLACES
BELOW, PLEASE CLICK HERE
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Six buses each way on weekdays, just three at weekends and
holidays.
Journey times Ferreiras 8 minutes, Algoz 24, Silves 45. .jpg)
One way fare Albufeira to Silves €4.75, to Algoz €3.75. (My best
guess, they are not shown on the website.)
For a weekday visit to Silves you can only now leave Albufeira at
0800 or 1230 with buses back at 1715 and 1830. For a weekend trip,
the ONLY buses to Silves are at 0800 and 1430hrs, with the only
buses back at 1345 and 1830. PLEASE CHECK TIMES just before
you travel in case a reasonable weekend service is re-introduced.
FULL TIMETABLE CLICK here
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Service has been drastically reduced from what it was a couple of
years ago. A trip to Paderne and back on Saturdays or Sundays is
no longer possible.
Journey time Ferreiras 8 minutes, Paderne 21 minutes, Messines 37
to 45 minutes. One-way fare Albufeira to Messines €4.75, Albufeira
to Paderne €3.75
The complete timetable is here
There are other three other daily buses (four on weekdays)
between Albufeira and Messines via Guia and Algoz, click here Last bus
back from Messines at 1630 weekends, 1815 weekdays. These buses
also stop along the 'main road' across Albufeira at Areais São
João (the strip end) and at the 'Watches' roundabout by the
supermarkets.
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Try not to confuse VAMUS route 10 with GIRO route 10, both of
which use the main bus station. VAMUS route 10 buses are big
diesel buses going to either Loulé or Faro via Loulé. Giro route
10 buses are little electric buses going down into the old town.
Journey to Loulé is 45 minutes one way fare €4.75. Inbound buses
stop a few minutes walk from the Saturday morning outdoor tourist
market. For the indoor market go to the bus station and walk about
5 minutes. These buses run via the stop outside the Continente
supermarket on the main road in Albufeira and also stop in the
Montechoro area - see map.
Buses from Albufeira to Loulé for a day trip daily at 0800, 1045
and 1430. These buses continue beyond Loulé to Mar Shopping and
Faro.
Buses back from Loulé on weekdays only at 1515, 1730 on schooldays
and at 1825, at weekends only at 1515 and 1810.
Mar Shopping and IKEA, near
Loulé - bus journey is about 1 hour. Fare
€5,00
TIMES OF BUSES BETWEEN ALBUFEIRA AND MAR SHOPPING HERE TIMETABLE FOR BUSES BETWEEN ALBUFEIRA AND LOULÉ CLICK here
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(on the way back to Albufeira this bus also goes to
the Câmara stop before the Bus Station)
This route runs around a large circle, once every
hour on weekdays, every two hours at weekends and holidays. There
are buses between Guia, Algarve Shopping and Albufeira every hour
every day, including a late bus for cinema goers. Cash fare €2,40
or €1,45 with the pre paid pass. Route 8 times here.
Route 7 below runs in the opposite direction
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Runs the opposite way around to Route 8 above. Once every hour weekdays, every two hours at weekends and on holidays except that there is a bus every hour every day between Albufeira and Guia via Algarve Shopping. Cash fare €2,40 or €1,45 with the pre paid pass.
A taxi to Algarve Shopping from Albufeira will cost €8 - €10. Uber or Bolt may be cheaper. A standard vehicle is permitted to carry only four passengers. If there are more of you, order a large vehicle or be prepared to take two or more small ones. There is a taxi rank at the mall.
The free bus between Albufeira hotels and Algarve Shopping no longer operates.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daily service about once every hour between Albufeira Bus Station and Laranjal with extra buses at weekday busy times. Very irregular to the other places especially at weekends.
Unfortunately for some this bus takes a very circuitous route
around Albufeira and takes twice as long to get to the bus station
as the remaining VAMUS buses below. The Giro buses stop at the
Albufeira Shopping / Rotunda Relógios stop before going off around
the town. They go via Montechoro if you are staying up around
there. They rejoin the VAMUS route at the Estrada da Santa Eulália
stop near the old bullring and ALDI.
You cannot use Giro tickets and passes on VAMUS buses routes 9 and 66, nor vice-versa. Map of the stops used by VAMUS in Albufeira town here
One way cash fare on GIRO Albufeira to Olhos D'Água and beyond is
€2,40 or €1,45 with the pre paid pass.
COMPLETE TIMETABLE CLICK here
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THESE ARE FASTER THAN THE GIRO BUSES BUT YOU CANNOT USE
GIRO TICKETS ON VAMUS BUSES NOR VICE-VERSA
Try not to confuse VAMUS route 9 with GIRO route 9, which runs along some of the same roads and stop at some of the same stops. VAMUS route 9 buses will always be going to QUARTEIRA or FARO.
Buses run on weekdays at very irregular intervals on the two
different routes. Weekend service is reduced to nine buses each
way, with gaps of up to three hours between them. Please check the
timetable carefully.
Journey 12 minutes to Balaia, 15 minutes to Olhos D'Agua. Runs
via Continente / Albufeira shopping, Areais São João, Santa
Eulália and Balaia.
One way fare €2,55. Times of all VAMUS buses between
Albufeira and Olhos D'Agua in both directions HERE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Giro Linha 1
runs every 30 minutes daily between the Bus Station and Quinta
da Balaia, once an hour at Branqueira and Vale Navio on
weekdays, once every TWO hours at weekends. Return journey runs
along the main Avenida dos Descobrimentos and does not go to
Brejos, instead it stops at Arcadas São João and the Rotundas.
COMPLETE TIMETABLE HERE
Giro Linha 9 runs once
each hour daily between the Old Town (Avenida da Liberdade),
Câmara, Bus Station, Quinta da Balaia, Branqueira, Vale Navio
and Patã de Baixo. TIMETABLE HERE
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Service reduced to four buses each way on weekdays, three at
weekends. Starts from Areais São João (the strip) and stops at the
Albufeira Shopping centre (Continente supermarket) opposite
McDonald's then via Albufeira Bus Station. The nearest stop to the
old town is near the 'Dolphins' roundabout at the Avenida do Ténis
traffic lights.
FULL TIMETABLE click here.
These buses do NOT go to Algarve Shopping, which is 1.3km from
Guia village centre walking long a busy and dangerous road with no
footpath.
Guia(and Algarve Shopping) is also served by Giro bus route 7 times here and the various buses towards Lagoa and Portimão – click here for times
Páteo is also served every hour daily by Giro Route 9 and a few times a day by
Giro Route 3.
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THERE ARE SEVEN BUSES EACH WAY ON WEEKDAYS BUT ONLY TWO BUSES
EACH WAY AT WEEKENDS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Albufeira to Faro takes 55
minutes. In Albufeira this bus stops only in the bus station. It
also stops at Guia and at Algarve Shopping. Fare from Albufeira to
Faro is €5,35 on any bus.
For a printable copy of the official timetable leaflet click here.
Buses from Albufeira to Faro on weekdays at 0710, 0815, 0955,
1210, 1400,1625 and 1840 and 1350. The 0955 and 1400 also run at
weekends and on public holidays.
Coming back from Faro they leave on weekdays at 0815, 0930, 1230,
1430, 1600, 1730 and 1940. At weekends and on public
holidays only at 1230 and 1605.
There are other, much slower, buses between Albufeira and Faro
via Vilamoura and Quarteira - see below.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SIX BUSES EACH WAY ON WEEKDAYS, FOUR BUSES EACH WAY AT WEEKENDS
IN SUMMER, THREE EACH WAY WEEKENDS IN WINTER
In Albufeira these buses stop only in the bus station. They also
stop at Guia and Algarve Shopping. Current official
timetable here.
Journey from Albufeira to Praia da Rocha is about an hour, Alvor
1 hour 12 minutes, Lagos 1hr 35 minutes.
Weekdays - direct buses
from Albufeira suitable for a day out leave at 0800, 0910 and
1200. Buses come back from Lagos at 1615 and 1800, Alvor at 1638
and 1823, and in Praia da Rocha at 1654 and 1839 respectively.
Weekends and Holidays - in
winter the ONLY fast bus from Albufeira for a day trip to
Portimão, Praia da Rocha and Lagos is the 0910. The ONLY bus back
is at 1615, which stops in Alvor at 1638, Praia da Rocha at 1654
and Portimão at 1659.
There are other buses between Albufeira and Portimão. The last
buses back from Portimão to Albufeira of any description are at
1659 DAILY then at 1745 and 1844 ON WEEKDAYS ONLY. Last bus from
Lagos to Albufeira in winter is at 1615, which stops in Alvor at
1638, Praia da Rocha at 1654 and Portimão at 1659. In summer 2022
the 1800 bus from Lagos to Albufeira did run daily.
Fares (I think, no longer on the website): Albufeira - Portimão €5,30, Albufeira - Alvor €5,35 and Albufeira - Lagos €5,95
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These buses stop in Guia, Armação de Pêra, Lagoa, Portimão and
Lagos. They do NOT go to Praia da Rocha and Alvor.
Buses from Albufeira to Lagos on weekdays at 0910*, 1025, 1325, 1525, 1655, 1825
and to Portimão at 2035 . Official timetable here. From
Lagos to Albufeira at 0650, 0830, 1045, 1235, 1500 and 1715. There
is a very early journey from Portimão to Albufeira at 0615. There
are only two buses each way at weekends, the 1325 and 1655 from
Albufeira; the 0830 and 1235 from Lagos. *, yes there are two
buses at the same time from Albufeira to Lagos taking slightly
different routes.
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Timetable here.
From 1st November until May 2023 the service is reduced to two
journeys each way every day.
These buses also go to Faro (Bus Station), Lagoa, Portimão and
Lagos. Special fares apply on this bus, for example Albufeira to
Portimão is €10.00, Airport to Lagos €13.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MUCH OF THE WEEKEND SERVICE IS NOW PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED,
WITH UP TO 3 HOURS WAIT BETWEEN BUSES. CHECK TIMES CAREFULLY!
Try not to confuse VAMUS route 9 with GIRO route 9,
which runs along some of the same roads and stops at some of the
same stops. VAMUS route 9 will always be going to QUARTEIRA or
FARO. Giro route 9 will not.
Journey to Vilamoura is about 40 minutes, one way fare €4,55.
Quarteira is about another 10 minutes, the market site at
Quarteira about 15 minutes after Vilamoura. Buses run about once
an hour on weekdays, much less often at weekends. In Vilamoura all
buses in BOTH DIRECTIONS use the exact same stops because of the
one-way traffic system. The main bus stop in Vilamoura (Praia da
Marina) is near the Casino and the Dom Pedro hotels - Vilamoura
map here.
Buses leave from the bus station in Albufeira, then run via
Albufeira Shopping (stop is outside the Pingo Doce and Continente
supermarkets) along the main road, then stop at the 'strip',
Santa Eulalia, Balaia etc. Click the map to see it larger size.
They do NOT stop in the old town. The nearest stop from there is
about 10 minutes uphill walk.
Buses from Albufeira to Vilamoura suitable for a day out
(discounting those before 0800hrs!) leave on weekdays at : 0845,
1015, 1130, 1230 and 1335. At weekends and on holidays they leave
only at 1015 and 1335. Coming back from Vilamoura on weekday
afternoons they leave at 1422, 1517, 1632, 1747, 1902 and 2002. At
weekends and on holidays the ONLY afternoon buses back to
Albufeira leave at 1517, 1747 and 2002.
Times in detail towards Vilamoura here and coming back here including times at the other places in
Albufeira where these buses stop.
The buses to and from Faro also stop at the Quarteira Wednesday
outdoor market at Fonte Santa, about 15 minutes after Vilamoura.
Check the timetables etc here.
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There are no direct buses. You must always change bus In LAGOA.
The journey can currently only be reasonably done on weekdays, but
even then sometimes with long waits. Because of the very sparse
weekend bus service, there currently no practicable journeys at
weekends, except for two journeys between Carvoeiro and Albufeira.
Fares : Albufeira - Lagoa €4,55 and Lagoa - Carvoeiro €2,55.
Separate tickets needed for each bus. Details here.
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How to get to The Marina, Algarve Shopping Mall (near Guia) and Albufeira Retail Park
For a list of all the timetables on the site,
click here
For an alphabetical list of places in the Algarve, click here
For some important general notes about buses in the Algarve, click
here
Back to the main page here