Albufeira Giro Local Bus System

Correct as of 7th April 2026

The official website has been changed. I think I have all the links updated. Maps and timetables can no longer be downloaded, saved and printed.

Official timetables are available at https://www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro/home or the Vamus app but system maps are no longer available.

Maps and timetables are posted at almost all bus stops, but there is NOTHING currently posted at the bus station. If you are somewhere there is nothing, you can find times on line at www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro - or find the VAMUS app. Click the little flag to see the site in American English or Spanish. No longer available in French. So it's 'line' not 'route' and 'schedule' not timetable.

The days of the week will be unfamiliar to most! Translation below.

The stops are also marked on Google Maps with a listing of the day's buses if you click one. I have managed to construct unofficial timetables, using that information, which can be found here.
I use these buses frequently and update as often as I can. I apologise for errors or omissions!

Official Giro Network Map - Full size PDF version

Giro bus map reduced size

Giro Fares - official notice

Advice - when using the interactive maps on the website or app, most stops have two code numbers according to the direction of travel.
At least one, Rotunda dos Golfinhos (Dolphins roundabout), has two codes even though there is only one stop. Check that you are looking at the correct one.

Bus stops and times are shown on Google Maps. I cannot say whether the information is accurate everywhere, but it is for the stop I use most of the time.
You can also try the journey planner at https://www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro/plan-route

Operated by Translagos under contract to Albufeira Council

Infos en français, auf Deutsch, em Portugues içi, hier, aqui

Links to timetables and route information on Giro routes below.

TIMETABLES AND MAPS
Route 1	Route 2	Route 3	Route 4
Route 5	Route 6	Route 7	Route 8
Route 9	Route 10	Route 11
Use the links above for timetables unofficial and official, also maps of each route with the stops

WHERE'S MY BUS?

On the official website at https://www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro/network ofr use the Vamus Algarve app. Click on the stop at which are waiting. That will bring up a list of the next few buses and how longyou will be waiting. Click on the route number to see where it goes and the location of the next bus as it comes towards you.

This can also be done on Google Maps. Your location must be enabled. Click on the bus stop icon at which you are waiting.
This will bring up a list of the buses that stop there. Tap the route / line number. You will then
see the time of the next bus and whether or not it is running late - or early! If you tap 'see previous stops'
a diagram will appear with a little icon showing the location of the bus that is coming.

All buses now normally used are 100% electric

Buses of various sizes and shapes will be seen!

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All routes go from and back to the main Bus Station. Some buses are circular routes and run in only one direction.
Some routes have diversions to serve schools at certain times.
Routes 4 and 9 will be the most useful for those arriving at the main bus station and wishing to go to the Avenida da Liberdade area of the old town.
Routes 3, 9 (direction Patã de Baixo) and 11 go back from Avenida da Liberdade to the Terminal (main bus station).
Between the Bus Station and Rua Alves Correeia, nearest stop to the square and the beach, it's route 10. Old town map here.
From the old town Avenida da Liberdade to Oura, Santa Eulália and the 'strip' Route 4, from these to the Avenida da Liberdade Route 2.

The main areas of the town and suburbs and which Giro buses go there. All routes start and finish at the main bus station - Terminal Many routes are circular, running only in one direction
Galé, Salgados, Vale de Parra	7, 8	Guia (Mercado / Market Hall)	7, 8	Brejos Sul (Casa Benfica)	1, 5, 6, 9, 11
Marina	3, 7, 8	Algarve Shopping Mall, near Guia	7, 8	Montechoro (Erin's Isle)	1, 6
Páteo and Cerro D'Águia	3, 9	Ferreiras, Malhada Velha	5, 11	Old Town / Centro Avenida Liberdade	2, 3, 4, 9, 11
Patroves (infrequent)	3	Camping Albufeira and Clube Albufeira	3, 5, 7, 8, 11	Old Town / Centro Rua Alves Correeia	10
Oura	2, 4, 6	Arcadas São João (the 'strip')	1, 2, 4, 6, 9	Branqueira and Vale Navio	1, 9
Santa Eulália, Balaia, Olhos D'Água	6	Mosqueira, Fontainhas (infrequent)	5, 11	Vale da Azinheira, Patã de Baixo	9
Vale Serves and railway station Est. Comboios Albufeira / Ferreiras	5, 11	Câmara (Town Hall)	ALL except 5, 6 and 8	Açoteais, Falésia, Alfamar, Rocha Baixinha(infrequent)	6

GIRO SERVICE FREQUENCY

All routes have daily service (including all public and religious holidays) between approximately 0700hrs and 2000hrs.
On most routes, buses run at the same times after each hour all day, but there are some variations particularly for school times.
Winter times apply until 30th June 2026. In summer the main routes 2,3,4,5,10 and 11 operate later into the evening, until about 2200.

Important - Payment on board is cash only unless you have a pre paid pass. Bank card payments are not possible. Information on fares and passes here.

ALBUFEIRA GIRO BUS NETWORK SUMMARY OF ROUTES AND FREQUENCIES
Route 1	To Quinta da Balaia weekdays and Saturdays all year, also summer Sundays every 30 minutes. Winter Sundays and Holidays every 60 minutes. Goes to Branqueira and Vale Navio every 60 minutes weekdays, every 2 hours at weekends and holidays.	Route 7	Weekdays one bus each hour. Weekends and holidays one bus every two hours along the whole route.
Route 2	Every 30 minutes, daily	Route 8	Weekdays one bus each hour. Weekends and holidays one bus every two hours along the whole route.
Route 3	Every 30 minutes, daily. Some journeys from old town to the Marina go via Páteo and Patroves. Check timetable.	Routes 7 and 8	There are buses once every hour, every day, between Albufeira Bus Station and Guia via Algarve Shopping. There is a late bus from Albufeira to Guia and back every night.
Route 4	Every 30 minutes, daily	Route 9	Every 60 minutes, daily.
Route 5	Every 60 minutes daily complete route. Albufeira - Malhada Velha - Ferreiras - Railway Station runs every 30 minutes weekdays	Route 10	Weekdays every 20 minutes, weekends and holidays every 30 minutes.
Route 6	About every 60 minutes, daily, Albufeira <> Olhos de Água. Extra buses for school traffic. Also serves Açoteias, Fálesia and Rocha Baixinha at very infrequent and irregular intervals.	Route 11	Every 60 minutes daily complete route. Railway station - Ferreiras - Malhada Velha - Albufeira runs about every 30 minutes weekdays.
Routes 5 and 11 also go infrequently via Mosqueira and Fontainhas. Check timetables. Summary of last Giro bus times from the Bus Station here Summary of last Giro bus times from old town stops here (on different pages)

TIMETABLE AND ROUTE INFORMATION AT BUS STOPS

Maps and timetables are posted at almost all bus stops, but at the time of writing, there are NONE visible at the bus station. The information may be a little confusing where more than one bus stops. If you are somewhere there is nothing, you can also find times on line at https://www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro/plan-route - or the VAMUS app. They use American English, s it's 'line' not 'route' and 'schedule' not timetable. 'Business Days' = weekdays, 'Non-Business days' = Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

WAITING FOR THE BUS? ON THE BUS AND WANT TO GET OFF?

ALL stops are by request only. Waiting at the bus stop? Give the driver a clear signal as the bus approaches. On the bus and want to get off? Ring the bell as you get near the stop you need. If you do not signal, the driver will not stop!

GIRO FARES for 2026

Contactless card payment is NOT possible. Official notice of the fares here. There is a two zone fare system as shown on the map. Travel across two zones will cost €2,75 cash, €1,65 with a pre paid pass. A one zone ticket on board costs €2,10 cash, €1,65 with the pass. Pay on boarding if you do not have a pass - CASH ONLY! Single tickets, whether paid cash or using the pre paid multi journey pass, are valid for one journey only. If you need another bus, you now to have to pay a second fare which makes using a bus uneconomical for two people for many journeys when compared to using taxi, Uber or Bolt. GIRO bus tickets are NOT valid on any other bus you might see.

Warning - Passes run from the 1st of the month only. DO NOT buy a new pass towards the end of the month unless you will be using the buses really a lot!

MONTHLY SENIORS PASSES - NOW AVAILABLE ONLY FOR RESIDENTS

For the monthly Seniors (65yrs +) passes you must fill in a form (photo not required) and pay €5 for the rechargeable card. Proof of residency is required. The monthly cost of the Seniors pass is €11.60 for one zone, two zone travel will cost €13.60 a month. Can only be obtained and recharged at the Bus Station ticket office. Senior passes can be recharged on or after the 26th of the previous month.

ADULT REDUCED PRICE MONTHLY PASSES - AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS AND THOSE WORKING OR STUDYING IN TOWN - PROOF REQUIRED

The reduced price adult monthly pass costs €18.60 for one zone, €22.80 for two zones. Can be downloaded, set up and renewed with the VAMUS app. Also available for purchase at the bus station ticket office on a plastic card which costs €5. These passes can be recharged on or after the 26th of the previous month. The full (base) price is double these amounts, therefore probably too expensive for anyone on holiday. The next option is better.

PRE PAID MULTI JOURNEY PASSES - AVAILABLE TO ALL

These do not have a fixed time period. For irregular users, this is a plastic pre-pay card (€3) which can be loaded with a minimum five journeys which reduces the fare to €1,65 for any journey across the two fare zones. Each time you get on a bus it counts as a new journey. Pre-pay cards will de-activate if not used for three months. Adding more credit will re-activate them. The cost of the pre-pay card (€3) is refunded if you hand it back. Unused fares are not refunded. Anyone can use a card, they are not personal.

These passes can only be purchased at the bus station ticket office.

THREE AND FIVE DAY TOURIST PASSES - VALID FOR THE WHOLE GIRO NETWORK

The three day tourist pass costs €20,35 (= 10 zone 1 single journeys so quite expensive!) and the five day pass costs €33,55 (=16 journeys) both can be downloaded using the VAMUS app or purchased at the bus station on a rechargeable card that costs €3. These passes cannot be shared.

CHILDREN

There is no child discount on Giro buses except for residents. Anyone at school here travels free, pass is required. Ask at school. However all those aged three years and under travel free.

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