Trains in the Algarve - a summary of operations with timetables

This page is unofficial. The information has been obtained from printed timetables and other local sources (like taking the train) and is given in good faith.
Timetables apply until further notice. Information correct as of 5th November 2018 checked on official websites.

There are currently 'problems' being caused by lack of serviceable trains on the Algarve line, some of which is the result of frequent vandalism. In some cases buses are being used but up to date information is very hard to come by. There is a useful unofficial 'app' called Catch Up available on Google Play. This is taking information from the railways network control centres and presenting more or less real time train running information on a station by station basis. I know it works on Android phones! The official railway website does NOT offer even this information.

Algarve train timetables here Diagram showing the rail lines and stations in the Algarve is here
Official map of railways in Portugal here - does not show all stations. Rail map of Spain and Portugal (external link) here.
Some more pictures etc for railfans here.

Thanks to Steve Widdowson for the picture of unit 0454 running along the sea wall at Faro. The rebuilt Tavira station. Click to see full size. Trains use the high platform to the left of the station building.	Local service in the Algarve is operated by fairly modern trains, with air-con. Click a picture to see it full size The 1327 to Faro about to leave Vila Real de Santo António. Click to see full size. Below - trains getting bit of a clean at Faro.
	The 0700 and 1505 from Faro; also the 0840 and 1824 back from Lisbon are the Intercity Alfa Pendular (AP) tilting trains. These are through trains to and from Porto, offering a one-seat ride in about 5hrs 30mins hours between Faro and Porto via Lisbon, Coimbra and Aveiro. Click the picture for a larger size. These trains have power sockets at some First Class (Conforto) seats and all AP trains now offer free wifi to all seats. All AP trains have a café car. Seat reservation is COMPULSORY!
The other Inter City (IC) trains are locomotive hauled with an assortment of (air-conditioned) coaches. These stop at various stations between the Algarve and Lisbon. Click the picture for a larger size. Seat reservation is COMPULSORY! Wifi equiment is now being installed on these older trains. However, in many rural areas you will be out of reach of any signal. IC trains running between the Algarve and Lisbon have a café/bar car. Access with wheelchair is impossible, the doors are too narrow.
Faro station building - click to see full sized.	Steve Widdowson sent me some excellent pictures of trains in the Algarve taken in October 2014 - take a look at them here. There is a further set of pictures from Steve taken May 2015 here. Included are some pictures of the inside of the rarely photographed museum building by Lagos station. This has been closed for many, many, years owing to lack of money.

Timetables and Information

Timetable summary here, complete printable timetable here at official site. Regional (local) trains stop at all stations, except for a couple of very early and very late trains which miss the smaller 'halts'. Services are for the most part designed to connect with the trains to and from Lisbon. This results in some very large gaps during the day when there are no trains at all, especially at weekends. Trains do however run later into the evening than most bus routes.

The local line (diagram here) is usually operated as two separate sections, either side of Faro. Although it's not advertised, some trains run do through. The conductor will confirm whether or not a change is needed at Faro. Local trains connect with most trains to and from Lisbon, but at Faro some local trains do not connect with each other.

There are five daily trains (with weekend extras) between Faro and Lisbon, two of which continue to or start from Porto. For the full intercity timetable in printable PDF format visit www.cp.pt. External link which will open a new window.

Note that the railway line does NOT cross the border into Spain. The nearest station in Spain is at Huelva, about 33 miles/55 km from the border at Vila Real de Santo António.

Information - there are NO ANNOUNCEMENTS at most stations, no boards or screens on platforms to indicate 'next trains' and rarely if ever are there any announcements on board trains. Most railway staff have some English, it is polite to ask first. They are quite happy to help ensure you know where to change trains etc. You will have to keep alert so you don't miss your station, especially at night.

Fares

Fares are about the same, for short journeys in some cases cheaper, as the equivalent bus journey. However, Faro to Lagos by train one-way is €7.40 = about £5.90 for a journey of around 1 hour 40 minutes. The bus costs €5.90 but takes 20 - 30 minutes longer. There is a simple fare structure for local journeys - single (one-way), return (round-trip) and that's it! I have a copy of the regional train fares chart here. Using this, you can calculate the fare between any pair of stations on the Algarve line using REGIONAL trains.

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

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

Other Fares

Sample single (one-way) fares on regional (local) trains - Albufeira/Ferreiras to Faro €3,35, Lagos to Tavira €9,45; Faro to Lagos €7,40, Faro to Tavira €3,20; Faro to Vila Real de Santo António €5,25 and Albufeira/Ferreiras to Tavira €6,00. A one way inter-city trip from Albufeira to Lisbon will cost at most either €20,60 or €21,60 in Turista (Second) class, depending on which train you take. First class is €28,30 or €25,20. Promotional fares are offered for bookings in advance. Current such fares can reduce the cost of a trip to Lisbon to between €9 and €13 and €16 or €17 Euros. These tickets are NOT REFUNDED if you do not use them but can be exchanged under certain conditions.

On long distance journeys, a return (round-trip) ticket is slightly cheaper than two one-way tickets.

Half fare for over 65s - If you take your passport or national ID card when buying a ticket you will get half fare on these trains. Children aged 5 - 12 travel half fare; children under 5 travel free on local trains. However children under 5 travelling on Alfa Pendular or Intercity trains and who will occupy their own seat require a reservation and their own ticket. Small children who would sit on their parent's lap travel free and do not need a ticket.

Higher fares for AP and IC trains - you can use the intercity trains for local journeys (if there are seats available) but you will pay much more than on the regional trains.

Example: Albufeira to Faro - Regional €3.35; Intercity €9,30; Alfa-Pendular €11,30! Note - Regional fares apply to journeys between Messines and other Algarve stations.

Larger stations have ticket offices but most smaller stations are unstaffed. You can buy your ticket on the train without penalty, but in cash only. There are no longer ticket machines at any Algarve station. Tickets for Regional trains cannot be purchased on line.

Penalty fares: if you are caught without a ticket the fine is 100 times the single fare for the trip! There are no reservations or advance purchase or other discounts on Regional trains except as below.

Under 25? CP offers 25% off

If you are aged 25 or under, CP is offering a 25% discount on all Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Inter-Regional 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.

SEAT RESERVATIONS

These are compulsory on all AP and IC trains. These are included FREE when you buy your ticket. You can reserve on-line a maximum of 60 days in advance. You can take a chance and try for a ticket at the last minute but, especially in summer or on Fridays and Sundays all year, you might be disappointed if the train is already full. Some trains are only three carriages in winter, four or five carriages in summer. You can choose which seat(s) you take when booking on line.

There is a very large discount available on many long distance trains when tickets are purchased more than eight days in advance. Some discounts are available for tickets purchased 5 - 7 days in advance but these often do not apply for al trains. However these very cheap tickets will not be refunded if you do not use them, but can be exchanged under certain conditions.

It is possible to buy tickets on line for a complete journey for example Lagos to Lisbon or Tavira to Porto where a mix of regional and long distance trains are involved. But it's not possible to or from places like Sintra and Cacais, which trains have a separate fare structure. Those tickets to or from Lisbon) must be obtained locally. The full range of destinations / origins has not been checked! However tickets for local trips in the Algarve eg Lagos - Faro cannot be purchased on line and there are no reservations.

BUYING TICKETS FOR LONG DISTANCE TRIPS

You can also use a Multibanco ATM to buy tickets a maximum of 21 days in advance. Seat reservations are free when you buy your ticket(s) on line or at an ATM.

If you have an international railpass, reservations can be only be obtained at a station or accredited sales agent. A reservation fee is payable.

You can buy tickets at railway stations with a ticket office, which in the Algarve region are these : LAGOS, PORTIMÃO, TUNES, ALBUFEIRA, LOULÉ, FARO, OLHÃO (mornings only), TAVIRA and VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO (until about 1500hrs). You CANNOT buy long distance tickets from the conductor when starting your trip on a regional train.

Tickets and reservations can also be obtained at these Algarve based travel agents. Information taken from CP website. There is no mention of the hours they keep.

Albufeira area - GEOSTAR Travel at Algarve Shopping near Guia and at Albfueira Continente / Modelo shopping, Avenida dos Descobrimentos opposite McDonald's.

In Faro at ABREU, Avenida da República, 124; EL CORTE INGLÈS Av. 5 de Outubro; TAGUS Av. 5 de Outubro; TOP ATLÂNTICO Rua Conselheiro Bívar and TUI, Monte da Ria.

In Loulé at GALERIA COM. MODELO LOULÉ - Olivais de Stº António-S. Sebastião (It doesn't say which shop. This is the big mall out of town.)

In Portimão at ABREU Rua Pé da Serra; GEOSTAR Centro Comercial Modelo; TOP ATLÂNTICO Rua Judice Biker, 26 and TUI Travel, Rua Judice Biker 9.

BUYING TICKETS FOR SHORT REGIONAL TRIPS

Tickets for trips on Regional trains CANNOT be purchased on line or in advance. If boarding at a staffed station, buy from the ticket office if it's open. If boarding at an unstaffed station or when the ticket office is closed, you buy your ticket from the train conductor and it's CASH ONLY. Most stations in the Algarve are unstaffed.

FARO RAILWAY STATION

Faro Railway Station is about 150 metres from the Bus Station and close to the town centre and marina. It is 4.0miles/6.3km by road from the airport. There is a map here - which opens in a new window. Buses to and from the airport stop outside the station, the bus journey between airport and station is about 20 minutes. There is a taxi rank at the station. A taxi to or from the airport will cost you around €10 depending on numbers, luggage etc. The run by taxi is about ten minutes. There is decent café/bar opposite the station and there is a small bar on the station itself. There is a limited left luggage facility, privately operated, on the main platform in a little kiosk. There are no shops in the vicinity.

Intending passengers be aware that there are no signs or indications on the platforms at Faro to tell you which train goes where. There are announcements (usually only in Portuguese) but they are often inaudible above the noise of the trains! There are NO ANNOUNCEMENTS made on board Regional trains. Ever. Some trains split into two sections on arrival. If in doubt, ask.

Bikes on trains - updated

You CAN take bikes on Alfa Pendular (AP) and Intercity (IC) trains. On Alfa Pendular (AP) trains, bikes must be disassembled and taken on board as hand luggage. On IC trains, there are two dedicated spaces for bikes on each train. Transport is free but there are rules! Please see this page in English before considering a journey - https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/passenger-information/Useful-information/bike-transport

Bikes are carried FREE on all local (regional) trains in the Algarve. The low platforms and high steps do mean a bit of lifting up and down into the baggage compartment, which is at one end of the train. It does help if there are two of you! Chain it to something inside the baggage compartment; there are ill-minded individuals who will make off with your property given half a chance. I was warned about this by a train guard. The last thing you want is to leave the train only to find your road bike missing and nowhere to be found. Proper bike locks are a must for travel.

ALGARVE LINE TIMETABLES

The timetables below are a summary - all trains but not all stations are shown.
To view and print the complete Algarve timetable, click here external link opens in new window.

For the detailed timetable for trains to and from Lisbon, Coimbra, Aveiro and Porto, click here; external link opens in new window.

TRAIN TYPES : AP - Alfa Pendular high-speed train. IC - Intercity train. AP and IC are air-conditioned stock. REG - Regional (local) train, no reservations, no advance purchase, trains have air-con. First and Second class seats are available on all AP and IC trains. Regional trains are second class only.

TIMETABLE - FARO > ALBUFEIRA > TUNES > PORTIMÃO > LAGOS

Daily - train runs every day including most holidays
MFO - train runs Mondays to Fridays (weekdays) only except holidays
SUN - RUNS ON SUNDAYS ONLY EXCEPT IF MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY RUNS ON MONDAY INSTEAD
SHX - train does not run on Sundays and Holidays

To Lisbon - trains run to Lisbon Oriente also calling at Lisbon Sete Rios (IC trains only) and Entrecampos
please also read the note below the timetable
IF YOU USE AP OR IC TRAINS FOR THESE LOCAL JOURNEYS A MUCH HIGHER FARE IS PAYABLE - SEE NOTE

TIMETABLE - LAGOS > PORTIMÃO > TUNES > ALBUFEIRA > FARO

Daily - train runs every day including most holidays
FRI - runs on FRIDAYS only EXCEPT if Friday is a holiday when runs on Thursday instead
MFO - train runs Mondays to Fridays (weekdays) only except holidays
SHX - train does not run on Sundays and Holidays

From Lisbon - trains run from Lisbon Oriente also all calling at Lisbon Entrecampos also IC trains call at Lisbon Sete Rios
please also read the note below the timetable
IF YOU USE AP OR IC TRAINS FOR THESE LOCAL JOURNEYS A MUCH HIGHER FARE IS PAYABLE - SEE NOTE

# arrives about five minutes earlier. Waits for another train to pass on the single track

AP -Alfa Pendular high speed tilting train. Departure from Lisbon Oriente station also stops at Lisbon Entrecampos 7 minutes later.
AP trains start in PORTO CAMPANHÃ at 0540 and 1440 respectively running via Gaia, Aveiro and Coimbra-B before Lisbon (Oriente) station. Full details at www.cp.pt
IC - Intercity train. Starts from Lisbon Oriente station (closest to Lisbon Airport) also stops at Lisbon Entrecampos 8/9 minutes later, Lisbon Sete Rios 14 minutes later.

NOTES ABOUT STATIONS

A - this is the nearest station to the Algarve Stadium, about 1km (3/4 mile) away. This station has no ticket office; buy your ticket on the train.

B - Loulé Station is over 3 miles/5km from the town. A new bus (official times here) connects Loulé Avenida 25 Abril (NOT the Bus Station) with trains thus : EXCEPT Sundays and Holidays 0640 arr 0655 for 0710 to Lisbon. Sundays and Holidays ONLY at 1445 to connect with 1516 to Lisbon. Daily except Saturdays there is a bus into Loulé connecting with the 2114 arrival from Lisbon. Otherwise, there is a bus stop about 250 yards/metres from the station; use the crossing at the end of the platform and follow the path by the green fence and turn right. The bus stop is just beyond the stop sign; buses to Loulé on the left hand side as you look.

C - Albufeira station is in FERREIRAS about 3.5 miles/6.5km from old town. There are buses to/from the town bus station (which itself is a 1 mile / 1.6km from the old town) every 30 minutes.
D - Silves station is just over a mile/1.8km from the town. Uphill on the way back! There are a few buses to/from town; click here for times.
E - Estombar/Lagoa station is in ESTOMBAR 2 miles/3.5km from Lagoa. This station has no ticket office; buy your ticket on the train.
F - Alcantarilha Station is 4 miles/6km from the village of that name. It has no ticket office. There are four buses on weekdays some of which connect with trains. There no buses at weekends. The bus route also serves Pêra and Armação de Pêra.
G - this station has no ticket office; buy your ticket on the train. Cash only.
H - this station is unstaffed. Buy your ticket on the train, cash only. Regional fares are charged for trips between Messines and other stations in the Algarve. Reservation not needed.
X - departure time at Tunes for trains towards Lisbon originating in Faro. Connection is usually on the same platform.

FARO <> OLHÃO <> TAVIRA <> VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO

To view and print the complete Algarve timetable, click here. External link opens in new window.

Daily - train runs every day including most holidays.
MFO train runs Mondays to Fridays (weekdays) only. Does NOT run on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
All trains are Regional services, second class only. Trains call at all stations, except for the 1113 from Vila Real de Santo António and the last trains

# arrives five minutes earlier. Waits for another train to pass on the single track

Train type		AP	REG	IC	REG	REG	REG	REG	IC	AP	REG	REG	IC	REG	REG	REG
Days of operation		Daily	SHX	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily
Faro		0700	0711	0822	---	0902	1023	1222	1354	1600	1617	1718	1756	1812	1919	2038
Parque das Cidades	A	\|	0718	\|	---	0909	1030	1229	\|	\|	1624	1730#	\|	1819	1926	2045
Almancil	G	\|	0724	\|	---	0915	1036	1235	\|	\|	1630	1736	\|	1825	1932	2051
Loulé	B	0710	0728	0833	---	0919	1039	1239	1405	1611	1638	1740	1806	1834	1941	2055
Boliqueime	G	\|	0735	\|	---	0926	1046	1248	\|	\|	1646	1747	\|	1841	1948	2102
Albufeira-Ferreiras	C	0723	0743	0845	---	0935	1100#	1307#	1417	1624	1655	1756	1818	1851	2001#	2111
Tunes (arrival)		0729	0749	0850	---	0941	1106	1312	1422	1628	1700	1801	1823	1856	2007	2116
Train from Lisbon arrives	X	\|	\|	\|	---	\|	1052	1300	\|	\|	1705	\|	\|	\|	1953	2120
Tunes (departure)		0729	0754	0851	---	0942	1107	1313	1424	1630	1708	1807	1825	1857	2008	2124
Messines - Alte	H	\|	\|	0900	---	\|	\|	\|	1431	\|	\|	\|	1834	\|	\|	\|
Algoz	G	To	0800	To	---	0947	1112	1319	To	To	1714	1813	To	1903	2014	2129
Alcantarilha	F	Lisbon	0805	Lisbon	---	0952	1118	1324	Lisbon	Lisbon	1719	1819	Lisbon	1908	2019	2134
Silves	D	arr	0821#	arr	---	1003	1130	1335	arr	arr	1730	1830	arr	1919	2036	2144
Estombar/Lagoa	E	1005	0827	1156	---	1010	1142#	1342	1726	1905	1737	1843#	2126	1925	2043	2135
Portimão		and to	0834	---	0931	1018	1150	1350	---	and to	1745	1851	---	1933	2051	2158
Lagos		Porto	0853	---	0950	1036	1208	1408	---	Porto	1803	1910	---	1952	2108	2216

Train type		REG	REG	REG	REG	AP	REG	IC	REG	REG	IC	REG	REG	AP	IC	REG
Days of Operation		Daily	SHX	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily
Lagos		0616	0658	0746	0903	---	1114	---	1310	1513	---	1705	1815	---	---	2000
Portimão		0634	0717	0805	0922	---	1133	---	1329	1532	---	1724	1834	---	---	2019
Estombar/Lagoa	E	0642	0725	0813	---	From	1142	From	1342	1541	From	1737#	1843	From	From	2028
Silves	D	0650	0733	0821	---	Lisbon	1150	Lisbon	1350	1549	Lisbon	1745	1851	Lisbon	Lisbon	2026
Alcantarilha	F	0700	0743	0832	---	at	1201	at	1403	1600	at	1756	1908#	at	at	2046
Algoz	G	0705	0748	0837	---	0823	1206	1002	1409	1605	1402	1801	1913	1723	1822	2051
Messines - Alte	H	\|	\|	\|	---	\|	\|	1252	\|	\|	1657	\|	\|	!	2111	\|
Tunes (arrival)		0710	0753	0842	---	1052	1211	1301	1414	1610	1705	1806	1918	1953	2120	2057
Train to Lisbon leaves	X	0729	---	0851	---	\|	\|	\|	1423	1630	\|	1825	---	\|	\|	\|
Tunes (departure)		0711	0754	0851	---	1054	1212	1302	1423	1611	1707	1807	1919	1955	2122	2058
Albufeira - Ferreiras	C	0722#	0800	0858	---	1059	1218	1307	1429	1623#	1712	1818#	1926	2000	2127	2111#
Boliqueime	G	0735#	0808	0905	---	\|	1226	\|	1437	1631	\|	1826	1933	\|	\|	2119
Loulé	B	0743	0815	0919#	---	1113	1239#	1319	1444	1638	1724	1834	1941	2014	2139	2126
Almancil	G	0747	0819	0923	---	\|	1243	\|	1448	1642	\|	1838	1945	\|	\|	2130
Parque das Cidades	A	0752	0829	0928	---	\|	1248	\|	1453	1647	\|	1843	1950	\|	\|	2135
Faro		0759	0835	0934	---	1123	1254	1330	1459	1654	1735	1849	1956	2023	2150	2142
							to VRSA weekdays		to VRSA daily
Some local trains run through from Faro to Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) via Tavira as shown, but this is not advertised. There may be others than shown above

Days of operation		Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily

Train from Lisbon arrives		---	---	---	1123	---	1330	---	---	1735	---	---	2023	2150
Train from Lagos arrives	Z	---	0835	0934	---	1254	---	1459	1654	---	---	1849	1956	2142
Faro		0750	0857	0955	1134	1255	1355	1500	1706	1751	1823	1922	2036	2206
Olhão		0805#	0908	1006	1145	1306	1406	1511	1721	1802	1835	1933	2047	2218
Fuzeta A ##	G	0813	0916	1014	1153	1314	1414	1519	1729	1810	1845	1948	2058	2228
Luz	G	0824	0927	1025	1204	1330	1426	1530	1740	1821	1854	1956	2106	2237
Tavira		0830	0938#	1031	1210	1336	1432	1536	1746#	1827	1900	2003	2112	2243
Conceição	G	0838	0945	1039	1217	1344	1440	1544	1754	1834	1908	2010	2120	2250
Cacela	G	0845	0953	1045	1225	1352	1448	1552	1809	1842	1920#	2018	2127	2258
Monte Gordo §	G	0855	1002	1056	1234	1402	1458	1602	1819	1851	1929	2028	2137	no stop
Vila Real de Santo António ++		0858	1006	1100	1238	1405	1501	1605	1822	1855	1933	2031	2141	2308

Days of operation		Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily
Vila Real de Santo António ++		0548	0642	0711	0908	1113	1239	1429	1533	1627	1754	1905	2044
Monte Gordo §	G	0552	0646	0715	0912	1116	1243	1433	1537	1631	1758	1909	no stop
Cacela	G	0602	0656	0725	0922	1125	1253	1448#	1552#	1641	1808	1920	2054
Conceição	G	0609	0703	0732	0929	1131	1300	1455	1559	1648	1815	1926	2100
Tavira		0617	0711	0740	0938	1139	1308	1459	1607	1657	1827#	1934	2112
Luz	G	0622	0716	0745	0943	1144	1313	1503	1612	1702	1832	1939	2118
Fuzeta A ##	G	0634	0728	0756	0954	1158	1324	1534	1623	1713	1848	1951	2127
Olhão		0643	0736	0805	1006#	1206	1332	1533	1631	1721	1856	1959	2136
Faro		0653	0747	0815	1017	1217	1343	1544	1642	1731	1907	2009	2146
Train to Lagos leaves	Z	0711	---	0902	1023	1222	---	1617	1718	1812	1919	2038	---
Train to Lisbon leaves		0700	---	0822	---	---	1354	1600	---	1756	---	---	---

TRAIN SERVICE IN THE ALGARVE also ALGARVE to and from LISBON