Information correct as of 26th January 2025
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
Official map of railways in Portugal here - does not show all stations. A different rail map of Portugal here. Lisbon city rail and metro map hereTHE 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
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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, 11 January
2025. . 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.
Work to raise platform heights is almost complete as of
December 2024. 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. |
 |
|
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Faro station building -
click to see full sized.
 |
 |
|
.jpg "click or tap to see
larger size") Portimão station - trains now stop further along the platform! |
 Portimão station exterior November 2023 - click or tap see large size |
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.
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 down from
Lisbon to Faro on Friday nights in summer, returning on Sunday
evenings.
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.
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.
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.
'Next train' information is available at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/next-trains
There is also 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.
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.
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 of these
and other discounts in English here
- external link which will open in a new window or tab.
Available from STAFFED stations - Lagos, Portimao, Tunes,
Albufeira, Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo
António) or on line at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/discounts-benefits/Discounts/tourist-travelcard
The on line purchase is for a voucher that must be exchanged for
an actual ticket at one of the station ticket offices as above.
These are the only stations in the Algarve with a ticket office.
NOT VALID ON ALFA PENDULAR OR INTERCITY TRAINS.
Provides unlimited journeys for 2 or 3 consecutive days on the Algarve Line Regional trains.
The tickets cost €21.90 (2 days) and €32.90 (3 days) for adults
and €15.90 (2 days) and €23.90 (3 days) for children 12 or under.
Do the maths first. A return (round-trip) ticket from Faro to
Lagos is only €16,20.
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 entitlement
pass. Check the information at the official website https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times
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.
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 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.
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 https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/discounts-benefits/Discounts
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.
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.
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. Illogical I know and this has been mentioned
to them many times, but to no avail.
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.
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.
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,
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.
There is a complete list for those in the Algarve here.
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.
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 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'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 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 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 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.
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.
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'
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.
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
| Train
type |
AP | REG |
IC | REG |
REG |
REG |
REG | IC |
AP | REG |
REG |
IC |
REG |
REG | REG |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days of operation |
Note |
Daily | SHX | Daily | MFO | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | MFO | Daily | Daily |
| Faro |
0700 |
0711 |
0822 | --- |
0902 |
1023 |
1225 |
1415 | 1600 | 1617 |
1741 |
1815 | 1825 |
1918 |
2050 |
|
| Parque
das Cidades |
A |
↓ | 0718 |
↓ | --- |
0909 |
1030 |
1232 |
↓ | ↓ | 1624 |
1748 |
↓ | 1832 |
1925 |
2057 |
| Almancil |
G |
↓ | 0724 |
↓ | --- |
0915 |
1036 |
1238 |
↓ | ↓ | 1630 |
1754 |
↓ | 1838 |
1931 |
2103 |
| Loulé |
B |
0710 | 0728 |
0833 | --- |
0919 |
1039 |
1242 |
1426 | 1611 | 1638 |
1758 |
1825 | 1842 |
1935 | 2107 |
| Boliqueime |
G |
↓ | 0735 |
↓ | --- |
0926 |
1046 | 1250 |
↓ | ↓ | 1646 |
1805 |
↓ | 1850 |
1947# | 2114 |
| Albufeira-Ferreiras |
C |
0723 | 0743 |
0845 | --- |
0935 |
1100# |
1307# |
1438 | 1624 | 1655 |
1814 |
1837 | 1900 |
2001# |
2123 |
| Tunes (arrival) |
0728 | 0749 |
0850 |
--- |
0941 |
1106 |
1312 |
1443 | 1629 |
1700 |
1819 |
1842 |
1905 |
2006 |
2129 |
|
| Train from Lisbon
arrives |
X |
-- | -- |
-- |
--- |
-- |
1052 |
1300 | -- |
-- | 1705 |
-- |
-- | -- |
1953 |
2132 |
| Tunes (departure) |
0729 | 0754 |
0851 | --- |
0942 |
1107 |
1313 |
1444 | 1630 | 1707 |
1824 |
1844 | 1914 |
2007 |
2133 |
|
| Messines
-
Alte |
H |
↓ |
↓ |
0900 |
--- |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ |
1453 |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ |
1853 |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ |
| Algoz |
G |
To |
0800 |
To |
--- |
0947 |
1112 |
1318 | To | To |
1713 |
1830 |
To |
1919 |
2013 |
2138 |
| Alcantarilha |
F |
Lisbon |
0805 |
Lisbon |
--- |
0952 |
1117 |
1323 |
Lisbon |
Lisbon |
1717 | 1835 |
Lisbon |
1924 |
2017 |
2143 |
| Silves |
D |
arrive |
0823# |
arrive |
--- |
1004 |
1129 |
1334 |
arrive | arrive | 1729 |
1846 |
arrive | 1935 |
2029 |
2152 |
| Estombar/Lagoa |
E |
1005 |
0829 |
1156 |
--- |
1011 |
1140# |
1340 |
1756 |
1905 |
1736 |
1857# | 2156 |
1940 |
2040# |
2159 |
| Ferragudo-Parchal |
goes to | 0833 |
--- |
--- |
1015 |
1144 |
1344 |
--- |
goes to | 1740 |
1901 |
--- |
1944 |
2044 |
2203 |
|
| Portimão |
J |
Porto | 0838 |
--- |
0931 |
1020 |
1149 |
1350 |
--- |
Porto | 1745 |
1906 |
--- |
1948 |
2049 |
2206 |
| Lagos |
--- |
0858 |
--- |
0951 |
1040 |
1209 |
1410 |
--- |
--- |
1805 |
1926 |
--- |
2008 |
2109 |
2226 |
# 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.
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
| Train
type |
REG |
REG |
REG |
REG |
AP | REG |
IC |
REG |
REG |
IC | REG |
REG |
AP |
REG |
IC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days of Operation |
Note |
Daily | SHX | Daily | MFO | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | MFO | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Lagos |
0610 |
0654 |
0747 |
0903 |
--- |
1110 |
--- |
1323 |
1509 |
--- |
1720 |
1827 |
--- |
2011 |
--- |
|
| Portimão |
J |
0631 |
0714 |
0806 |
0923 |
--- |
1130 |
--- |
1349# |
1529 |
--- |
1744# |
1847 |
--- |
2031 |
--- |
| Ferragudo
- Parchal |
0634 |
0717 |
0809 |
--- |
--- |
1134 |
--- |
1352 |
1532 |
--- |
1747 |
1851 |
2034 |
|||
| Estombar/Lagoa |
E |
0640 |
0723 |
0814 |
--- |
From |
1140 |
From |
1357 |
1538 |
From |
1753 |
1857 |
From | 2040# |
From |
| Silves |
D |
0648 |
0731 |
0823 |
--- |
Lisbon |
1148 |
Lisbon |
1405 |
1547 |
Lisbon |
1801 |
1905 |
Lisbon | 2051 |
Lisbon |
| Alcantarilha |
F |
0659 |
0742 |
0834 |
--- |
at |
1200 |
at |
1416 |
1559 |
at |
1813 |
1921 |
at | 2100 |
at |
| Algoz |
G |
0704 |
0747 |
0840 |
--- |
0823 |
1205 |
1002 |
1422 |
1604 |
1402 |
1818 |
1926 |
1723 | 2105 |
1832 |
| Messines
-
Alte |
H |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ |
--- |
↓ |
↓ |
1252 |
↓ |
↓ |
1657 |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ | ↓ |
2122 |
| Tunes (arrival) |
0710 |
0752 |
0846 |
--- |
1052 | 1211 |
1300 | 1427 |
1610 |
1705 | 1823 |
1932 |
1953 | 2111 |
2132 | |
| Train to Lisbon leaves | X |
0729 |
--- | 0851 |
--- |
--- | --- | --- | 1444 |
1630 |
--- | 1844 |
--- | --- |
---
|
--- |
| Tunes (departure) |
0711 |
0754 |
0851 |
--- |
1054 | 1212 |
1302 | 1427 |
1611 |
1707 | 1825 |
1933 |
1955 | 2112 |
2134 | |
| Albufeira
-
Ferreiras |
C |
0722# |
0800 |
0858 |
--- |
1059 | 1219 |
1306 | 1438# |
1623# |
1711 | 1837# |
1939 |
2000 | 2123# |
2138 |
| Boliqueime |
G |
0735# |
0808 |
0905 |
--- |
↓ | 1226 |
↓ | 1446 |
1631 | ↓ | 1850# |
1947 |
↓ |
2131 |
↓ |
| Loulé |
B |
0743 |
0815 |
0919# |
--- |
1111 | 1242# |
1318 | 1453 |
1638 |
1723 | 1859 |
1955 |
2012 | 2138 |
2150 |
| Almancil |
G |
0747 |
0819 |
0923 |
--- |
↓ |
1246 |
↓ |
1457 |
1642 |
↓ |
1903 |
1959 |
↓ | 2142 |
↓ |
| Parque
das
Cidades |
A |
0752 |
0829# |
0928 |
--- |
↓ |
1251 |
↓ |
1502 |
1647 |
↓ |
1909 |
2004 |
↓ | 2147 |
↓ |
| Faro |
0759 |
0835 |
0934 |
--- |
1123 | 1257 |
1330 | 1508 |
1654 |
1735 | 1916 |
2010 | 2023 | 2154 |
2202 | |
| to
VRSA weekdays |
to
VRSA daily |
|
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 |
||||||||||||||||
# 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.
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!
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.
| 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.
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.
| 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 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.
click on the map below to see the larger size.
List of stations here.
RAIL ENTHUSIAST? CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES
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
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
