TRAIN SERVICE IN THE ALGARVE also between the ALGARVE and LISBON

Information correct as of 23rd December 2024 - changes for the Christmas and New Year Holidays announced only today!

TRAINS IN THE ALGARVE REGION OF PORTUGAL ARE OPERATED BY THE NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY Comboios de Portugal.

Algarve train timetables here  Diagram showing the rail lines and stations in the Algarve is here

THE ALGARVE LINE IS BEING MODERNISED AND ELECTRIFIED - RECONSTRUCTION WORK AT SEVERAL STATIONS AND POSSIBLE SMALL CHANGES TO TIMETABLES

Work is under way to electrify and generally modernise the Faro to Vila Real de Santo António section of the Algarve railway.
The exact timescale is unknown, but recent notices suggest that work will be ongoing until at least the Spring of 2025.

Electrical installations are complete from Faro to Cacela and well under way from there to the end of the line at Vila Real de Santo António, apart from a stretch alongside the marshes.
There will be minor changes to the timetable as work proceeds. I shall do my best to keep things updated.
About six months behind is the electrification project for the western section between Tunes and Lagos.
May I live long enough to see a more frequent, more regular and faster train service in 2025!

WHAT WAS TRAIN TRAVEL LIKE HERE IN 1981? ENTHUSIASTS AND THE CURIOUS, CLICK OR TAP HERE

Local service in the Algarve is operated by fairly modern diesel trains, with air-conditioned interiors.  But they do NOT have wifi and also there are never any on board announcements, so pay attention to where you want to get off. Click a picture to see it full size. Regional train at Faro, 19 December 2023. . The rebuilt Tavira station. Click to see full size. Most trains use the high platform to the left of the station building. The other platform is only used when trains have to pass - the line is single track with passing places at several stations.		The 14.30 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 1600 from Faro to Lisbon; also the 0823 and 1723 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 between Faro and Porto via Lisbon, Coimbra and Aveiro.  Click the picture for a larger size.  Seating plan here. These trains have power sockets at some First Class (Conforto) seats. AP trains now offer free wifi to all seats but in some rural areas you will be out of range of any signal. All AP trains have a café car. Seat reservation is COMPULSORY!
The other trains between Lisbon and the Algarve are Inter City (IC) trains. These are locomotive hauled with air-conditioned coaches. Click the picture for a larger size. Seat reservation is COMPULSORY on all long distance trains! Wifi equipment is now 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.
Portimão station - trains now stop further along the platform!		Portimão station exterior November 2023 - click or tap see large size

Timetables and Information

CURRENT TIMETABLES FOR THE ALGARVE LINE, ALSO LISBON - PORTO

Algarve Line

Algarve line timetable summary here, complete printable timetable for the Algarve line here at the official railway website. 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 long gaps between trains during the day, 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.

Trains between Faro, Loulé, Albufeira, Tunes (connection for Lagos and Portimão) and Lisbon

There are five daily trains between Faro and Lisbon, two of which continue to or start from Porto. They also call at Loulé, Albufeira and Tunes, the latter for connections from and to Portimão and Lagos. Times for these trains here. For the official timetable in printable PDF format visit www.cp.pt. External link which will open a new window. An extra train runs on down from Lisbon to Faro on Friday nights in summer, returning on Sunday evenings.

Trains between Lisbon and Porto via Coimbra, Aveiro and Vila Nova de Gaia-

Trains between Lisbon and Porto shown here. Reservations are required for almost all  these trains. Connections with trains to and from the Algarve are made at Lisbon Oriente.

Train from Algarve to Spain? There is not and never has been!

The Algarve railway line does NOT cross the border into Spain. There is a wide river at the border. The nearest station in Spain is at Huelva, about 33 miles/55 km from the border at Vila Real de Santo António. There are trains between Huelva and Seville, but only four each day.

Information at stations and on the trains

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

There is an unofficial 'app' available at the Google Play store for Android devices. It's called 'Catch UP'. This gives fairly reliable real time information about train delays and cancellations.

Train 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 €8.10 for a journey of around 1 hour 40 minutes. The bus costs a little less 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 find the fare between any pair of stations on the Algarve line using REGIONAL trains.

Anyone aged 65 or over can travel half price on all trains in Portugal, except those around Lisbon and Porto operated as part of the Urban systems. ID required when purchasing a ticket either on line, in person at a ticket office or on board where available. The ID must also be carried when travelling as proof.

NATIONAL MONTHLY TRAIN PASSES

CP have introduced a monthly (calendar month) pass for unlimited travel on REGIONAL trains. This costs €49 per person, there is NO seniors discount. Details can be found here. Do check the regional rail map. Regional train service is not available in all parts of the country, notably between Lisbon and the Algarve. This pass is NOT valid on suburban trains around Lisbon and Porto. ID and photo needed. There is also a 'Green Pass' valid for 30 days on all trains except Alfa Pendular, but this is only available to residents of Portugal. Details here - external link which will open in a new window or tab.

TOURIST TICKET FOR THE ALGARVE LINE - REGIONAL TRAINS ONLY

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

Do the maths first. A return (round-trip) ticket from Faro to Lagos is only €16,20.

 Fares - regional - prices from 1st January 2025

Sample adult single (one-way) fares on regional (local) trains  - Albufeira/Ferreiras to Faro €3,70, Albufeira/Ferreiras to Lagos €5,30,Lagos to Tavira €10,35; Faro to Lagos €8,10, Faro to Tavira €3,50; Faro to Vila Real de Santo António €5,80 and Albufeira/Ferreiras to Tavira €6,45, Faro to Olhão  €1,60. Children under 4 years of age travel free. Those aged between 4 and 12 years travel half price. Once you are 13 you pay full price. Children and students who are residents in Portugal travel FREE, but must have the necessary pass. Check the information at the official website www.cp.pt or app.

Higher fares for local journeys 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 €3,70; Intercity €10,45; Alfa-Pendular €12,90!  Note - Regional fares apply to journeys between Messines - Alte and other Algarve stations.

Other Fares - long distance - prices from 1st January 2025

Fares are different according to which type of train you take. Alfa Pendular (AP) trains are more expensive than Intercidades (IC) trains, but faster and newer.

Reservations are COMPULSORY on these trains.

A one way trip at standard fare from Albufeira to Lisbon will cost at most either €24.50 or €22,95 in Turista (Second) class, depending on which train you take. First class is €32 or €29.05. Promotional fares are offered for bookings in advance, but not available on all trains. Currently such fares can reduce the cost of a trip to  of from Lisbon as low as €11, but more likely €13 to €17. 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 about 10% cheaper than two one-way tickets. There are however no 'open' tickets, so the journeys must be made on the booked trains

Half fare for over 65s - If you take your passport or national ID card when buying a ticket you will get half fare on all trains. Children aged 4 - 12 travel half fare; children 3 or under travel free on local trains. However small children 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.

Ticket purchase

Tickets for all trains can be purchased from the CP website or using their 'app'. You must either print your ticket or keep it on your mobile device, There is no 'collection' option if only because most stations have no ticket office and there are no ticket machines. Larger stations have ticket offices, but smaller stations are unstaffed. If boarding at an unstaffed station, you can buy your ticket for local journeys on the train without penalty, but in cash only.

WARNING! Ticket offices can be busy. Reported at Faro and Tavira. Buy tickets on line if you can or do allow a few minutes at the ticket office. Penalty fares: if you are caught without a ticket the fine is 100 times the single fare for the trip!

Under 25? CP offers 25% off

If you are aged 25 or under and not a resident, 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. If you are under 23 and live here, there is a FREE pass available for regional trains. Check the information at the official website www.cp.pt or app.

You can buy your discounted tickets from long-distance ticket offices, netTICKET travel agents. These tickets can be reissued or refunded. Certain young people aged 26 or over can still enjoy the Cartão Jovem discount for individual journeys.

SEAT RESERVATIONS ARE COMPULSORY ON ALL LONG DISTANCE TRAINS!!

If you buy your ticket from travel agent or a third party re-seller, it may not include the compulsory seat reservation - CHECK! In such a case, you have to obtain seat reservations at a railway station and will pay a fee. Also, you may not be offered the full range of discounted fares. There is NO REASON AT ALL to buy tickets other than from the official website at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets. However, OMIO is an accredited agent for Portugal Railways. You will pay a small service charge, about €1, on top of the ticket but that will avoid the postcode problem which bedevils so many users on the CP website.

The post code problem!

For a reason unexplained, when you register on the official Portugal Railways website, it wants a postcode. And it will only accept a postcode in the Portuguese format. Which of course if you don't live in Portugal you will not have. The work around is to enter 9999-999 or 0000-000 not forgetting the 'dash' - between the two sets of numbers. Ilogical I know and this has been mentioned to them many times, but to no avail.

Reservations on Alfa Pendular (AP) and Intercidades (IC) trains

These are compulsory on all Alfa Pendular (AP) and Intercidades (IC) trains. These are included free when you buy your ticket from the official CP website. 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. On ALFA PENDULAR (AP) trains coach 1 is always at the front of the train when going southbound, i.e towards Faro and at the back when going northbound.

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 all trains. However these very cheap tickets will not be refunded if you do not use them, but can be exchanged under certain conditions.

Reservations for long journeys involving other trains

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 Cascais, where the local trains have a separate fare structure. Those tickets to or from Lisbon are not sold on-line and must be obtained locally from ticket offices or ticket machines at stations. The full range of destinations / origins has not been checked! Seat reservations are not available on trains other than those classed as AP and IC. You sit where you wish, or are able to.

BUYING TICKETS FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAIN TRIPS

Book on line in English at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets. You can pay with credit card or by using Paypal. There is also a smartphone app that does the same thing. Tickets can either be printed or shown to train staff on a suitable device. There are no ticket barriers to worry about. Click here for an example of a long distance train ticket purchased via the website. Will open in a new window or tab. You MUST carry with you when travelling the ID used to purchase the ticket. On a recent journey a ticket inspector asked to see my original, not a copy! (As an aside, everyone aged 18 and over is required by law to carry some form of photo ID. This includes tourists.)

If you have an international railpass, reservations can be only be obtained in person 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 (closes at 1540hrs), ALBUFEIRA, LOULÉ, FARO, OLHÃO, TAVIRA and VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO (closes at 1500hrs).  Ticket office hours are subject to short notice alteration, especially around major holidays. 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. There is nothing in the town itself.

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 COMERCIAL.MODELO LOULÉ - Olivais de Stº António-São. 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 TRAIN TRIPS

Tickets for regional trains can be bought at the CP website or using their 'app'. You must either print your ticket or keep it on your mobile device. Example of a regional train ticket purchased on line here. You MUST carry with you when travelling the ID used to purchase the ticket. On a recent journey a ticket inspector asked to see the original, not a copy!

There is no 'collection' option if only because most stations have no ticket office and there are no ticket machines at stations. Tickets are valid for one day only. A return (round-trip) ticket can be used to get back on any train the same day. Regional tickets are NOT VALID for use on Intercity (IC) or Alfa Pendular (AP) trains except at Messines - Alte for journeys to and from Algarve stations. When 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 city 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 journey by taxi is about ten minutes. There is a small café / bar on the station itself. There is a kiosk on the main platform offering a luggage facility but on my most recent visit open only 0915 - 1600 weekdays and Saturdays, closed Sundays and Holidays.

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!  Some trains split into two sections on arrival. If in doubt, ask. The station is fully accessible, with a flat crossing over the tracks to some platforms.

ALBUFEIRA RAILWAY STATION

Albufeira's railway station is about 4 miles / 6km from the town centre. It's just outside the town of Ferreiras. It is fully accessible, with a footbridge and lifts (elevators) across the tracks to the second platform. There are two café / bars next to the station. There are local buses into town at regular intervals ,but they are not timed specifically to connect with the trains. Some go into the old town centre, some only as far as the bus station, which is about a mile / 1.6km from the centre. Two buses may therefore needed to get to your final destination. Bus times and other details here. Taxis are usually waiting at the station. If there is not, call (+351) 289 583 230 to have one sent. Uber and Bolt also operate in the area.

PORTIMÃO RAILWAY STATION

Portimão railway station is a little way to the north of the town centre. Some local buses go there - details here. Taxis wait outside. There is a ticket office and a small café / bar on the station. It is fully accessible, with a flat crossing across the tracks to the eastbound platform.

LAGOS RAILWAY STATION

Lagos railway station is across the river from the town centre, about 5 minutes over a footbridge. It is a modern building and station, fully accessible. The café / bar at the station has re-opened. A local bus route stops outside for travel into the town, but buses are not timed to connect with trains. Details here, look for Linhas (routes / lines) 1 and 2. Taxis are usually waiting outside.

TAVIRA RAILWAY STATION

Tavira railway station is about five minutes downhill walk to the town centre - obviously uphill on the way back, but it's not too steep. The station has recently been rebuilt to modern standards and it fully accessible. There is a flat crossing over the tracks to the second platform. There is a small café / bar at the station and a couple of others nearby. Taxis do not usually wait at the station.

Bikes on trains

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 steps on and off the train do mean a bit of lifting up and down into the baggage compartment, which is at the front of the train when westbound, at the back eastbound.

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 and in general.

Is my train going to be late?

You can check real time train information at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/next-trains or on your phone using app called 'CATCHUP'

ALGARVE LINE TRAIN 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 of trains to and from Lisbon also direct trains to Coimbra, Aveiro and Porto, click here; external link opens in new window.

SUNDAY SERVICE WILL APPLY ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

REMINDER - SEAT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TRAINS TO AND FROM LISBON

TRAIN TYPES : AP - Alfa Pendular high-speed train.  IC - Intercity train. REG - Regional (local) train, no reservations, 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
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 Lisbon Entrecampos
please also read the note below the timetable

FOR NOTES ABOUT ALGARVE STATIONS (A to J) - CLICK HERE
 IF YOU USE AP OR IC TRAINS FOR THESE LOCAL JOURNEYS A MUCH HIGHER FARE IS PAYABLE - SEE NOTE

# arrives five to eight minutes earlier. Waits for another train to pass on the single track  ↓ - train does not stop at this station

AP - Alfa Pendular high speed tilting train. Arrival time is at Lisbon Oriente station, closest to Lisbon Airport. Also stops at Lisbon Entrecampos 8 minutes earlier.
AP trains continue beyond Lisbon (Oriente) via Coimbra-B, Aveiro and Gaia to PORTO CAMPANHÃ arriving there at 1248 and 2148 respectively. Full details at www.cp.pt
IC - Intercity train arrival time shown is at Lisbon Oriente station. Also stops at Lisbon Sete Rios 12 minutes earlier, Lisbon Entrecampos 8 minutes earlier.
Lisbon Oriente is the closest station to Lisbon Airport. Sete Rios or Entrecampos stations are closer to the city centre with a direct connection by metro/subway.
FOR NOTES ABOUT ALGARVE STATIONS (A to J) - CLICK HERE

X - arrival time at Tunes for connections towards Lagos. Connection is usually on the same platform.
Trains are usually held at Tunes in the event of late running down from Lisbon. These trains from Lisbon continue to Faro, stopping at Albufeira and Loulé.

TIMETABLE LAGOS > PORTIMÃO > TUNES > ALBUFEIRA > FARO

Daily - train runs every day including most holidays
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 all calling also at Lisbon Entrecampos, the IC trains also call at Lisbon Sete Rios
please also read the note below the timetable

FOR NOTES ABOUT ALGARVE STATIONS (A to J) - CLICK HERE
 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    ↓ - train does not stop at this station

AP - Alfa Pendular high speed tilting train. Departure time is from Lisbon Oriente station (closest to Lisbon Airport) also stops at Lisbon Entrecampos 8 minutes later.
AP trains start in PORTO CAMPANHÃ at  0540 and 1440 respectively running via Vila Nova de Gaia, Aveiro and Coimbra-B before Lisbon (Oriente) station. Full details at www.cp.pt
IC - Intercity train. Departure time is from Lisbon Oriente station, also stops at Lisbon Entrecampos 8 minutes later, Lisbon Sete Rios 12 minutes later.
X - departure time at Tunes for trains towards Lisbon originating in Faro. Connection is usually on the same platform. These trains also stop at Loulé and Albufeira.

NOTES ABOUT STATIONS

If you buy your ticket on the train, it is CASH ONLY. There are no ticket machines at stations. You can buy tickets using the Comboios de Portugal app or at the website
WARNING - IF YOU BUY A TICKET ON LINE YOU SHOULD CARRY WITH YOU THE ID USED. SOME TRAIN CONDUCTORS ARE INSISTING ON SEEING THIS.
In any case, it is the law here that all adults must carry some form of photo ID. That includes you, tourist!

FARO > OLHÃO > TAVIRA > VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO

ALL TRAINS BUT NOT ALL STATIONS ARE SHOWN  BELOW

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 1108 and 2107 from Vila Real de Santo António and the 2216 from Faro.

# arrives five minutes earlier. Waits for another train to pass on the single track.
THIS TRAIN WILL BE REPLACED BY A BUS ON MOST DATES UNTIL 1ST MARCH 2025
THIS IS BECAUSE OF ONGOING MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION WORK. FULL DETAILS HERE
SOME OF THE BUS STOPS ARE AWAY FROM THE RAILWAY STATION.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. WHEELCHAIRS AND BIKES WILL NOT BE CARRIED ON THE BUSES.

WILL NOT RUN		25/12 1/1	25/12 1/1											24/12 31/12
Days of operation		Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	Daily
Train from Lisbon arrives		---	---	---	1123	---	1330	---	---	1735	---	---	2023	2202
Train from Lagos arrives	Z	---	0835	0934	---	1257	1257	1508	1654	---	---	1916	2010	2154
Faro		0720	0857	0955	1130	1300	1355	1515	1713	1753	1826	1927	2030	2216
Olhão		0735#	0908	1006	1141	1311	1406	1531#	1729#	1804	1838	1939	2040	2227
Fuseta A ##	G	0743	0916	1014	1149	1320	1414	1539	1737	1812	1846	1947	2048	2236
Fuseta - Moncarapacho	G	0750#	0924#	1017	1152	1327#	1417	1542	1740	1815	1849	1954#	2051	2239
Luz	G	0759	0923	1026	1201	1336	1426	1551	1749	1824	1859	2003	2100	2248
Tavira		0806	0939#	1033	1208	1342	1433	1558	1756	1831	1905	2010	2106	2254
Conceição	G	0813	0946	1040	1215	1350	1441	1605	1803	1838	1913	2017	2114	2304
Cacela	G	0821	0955	1048	1223	1358	1449	1614	1812	1846	1925#	2025	2122	2314
Monte Gordo §	G	0830	1004	1058	1233	1408	1459	1623	1821	1856	1934	2035	2132	no stop
Vila Real de Santo António ++		0834	1008	1102	1237	1412	1503	1627	1825	1900	1938	2039	2135	2329

Z  1257, 1508 and 2154 arrivals at Faro are usually through trains Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António. Others may be, but this is not advertised.
The 2010 arrival in Faro from Lagos shaded green runs on weekdays only. It does NOT RUN on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

VILA REAL DE SANTO ANTÓNIO > TAVIRA > OLHÃO > FARO

THIS TRAIN WILL BE REPLACED BY A BUS ON MOST DATES UNTIL 1st MARCH 2025
THIS IS BECAUSE OF ONGOING MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION WORK. FULL DETAILS  HERE
SOME OF THE BUS STOPS ARE AWAY FROM THE RAILWAY STATION.
THE BUS WILL LEAVE EARLIER THAN THE TRAIN TIMES SHOWN BELOW
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. WHEELCHAIRS AND BIKES WILL NOT BE CARRIED ON THE BUSES.

WILL NOT RUN		25/12 1/1	25/12 1/1										24/12 31/12
Days of operation		Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily	Daily	MFO	Daily
Vila Real de Santo António ++		0548	0639	0706	0840	1108	1243	1430	1524	1633	1753	1910	2107
Monte Gordo §	G	0552	0643	0710	0843	1111	1246	1433	1527	1636	1756	1913	no stop
Cacela	G	0602	0653	0720	0854	1120	1257	1449#	1538	1647	1812#	1925	2122
Conceição	G	0609	0700	0727	0901	1127	1304	1456	1545	1654	1818	1931	2130
Tavira		0617	0708	0735	0909	1135	1312	1504	1558#	1702	1831#	1940	2138
Luz	G	0623	0714	0741	0914	1141	1318	1510	1603	1707	1836	1945	2143
Fuseta - Moncarapacho	G	0632	0723	0750	0924	1152#	1327	1519	1612	1717	1849	1954	2150
Fuseta A ##	G	0635	0726	0753	0927	1155	1330	1522	1615	1720	1852	1957	2152
Olhão		0644	0735	0802	0936	1204	1339	1531	1624	1729	1901	2006	2201
Faro		0654	0746	0813	0946	1214	1349	1542	1634	1739	1912	2017	2211
Train to Lagos leaves	Z	0711	---	0902	1023	1225	---	1617	---	1741	1918	2050	---
Train to Lisbon leaves		0700	---	0822	---	---	1415	1600	---	1815	---	---	---

Z - The 0711 train from Faro to Lagos does NOT RUN on Sundays and Holidays.
The 0902 train to Lagos will not run on December 25th or January 1st. The 2050 train will not run on 24th and 31st December

The 1214, 1739 and 1912 arrivals at Faro normally run through to Lagos. Others may do but this is not shown in the official timetable.
The good news is that these stations are mostly in the towns they are named after!

Note G = this station has no ticket office; buy your ticket on the train - CASH ONLY or use the website or app.

## - there are two stations in Fuzeta. Fuzeta-A is better placed for the town centre, beach and seaside area. It is often unstaffed and at first sight is a bit off-putting!.
The other station (called Fuzeta - Moncarapacho) is three minutes further down the line towards Luz and some way from the town and beach.
§ Monte Gordo's little 'halt' is about ¾ mile/1.2km from the town. The walk is along a road and flat.
++ the station here is about 1km (12 minutes walk) to the ferry across to Ayamonte in Spain.

RAIL MAP OF THE ALGARVE

click on the map below to see the larger size. List of stations here.

RAIL ENTHUSIAST? CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Connections Algarve <> Beja and Évora

There are no direct trains between any Algarve station and Évora or Beja.

Connections are available to Évora changing at Pinhal Novo using the trains from Faro at 07.00, arriving at 10.35 (weekdays) or 11.26 (weekends) and 14.15 with arrival at 18.35. Return journeys leave from Évora at 07.06 (weekdays only and with 1 hour 20 minutes wait at Pinhal Novo), 09.06 daily, with 55 minutes wait at Pinhal Novo, and in the afternoon, daily, leaving Évora at 16.57 with about 20 minutes wait in Pinhal Novo. Pinhal Novo is not the most pleasant station at which to spend any length of time!

Rail connections to/from Beja are only possible via Pinhal Novo. Times as above, a second change of train is needed at Casa Branca.

Reservation is compulsory on all these trains. Tickets are on sale up to 60 days in advance. Big discounts are often available if seats are booked more than a week in advance.
Go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets

The more direct way to travel between Beja and the Algarve is by long distance bus (coach) www.rede-expressos.pt. Rede-Expressos has three daily journeys each way, taking about two hours.
Extra journeys are operated on Fridays and Sundays during University terms. There is a fourth journey daily each way in summer.

Travelling by train to or from Lisbon?

This little map may come in useful to show the different stations in Lisbon. Click to see it full size

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

www.algarvebus.info