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Albufeira Giro Bus System

It is hard to keep up, with changes sometimes announced at less than 24 hours notice.
Correct as of 30th May 2023

OFFICIAL TIMETABLES AND MAPS ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.VAMUSALGARVE.PT/GIRO OR USING THEIR APP.
ADVICE - WHEN USING THE INTERACTIVE MAPS ON THE WEBSITE, BE AWARE THAT MOST STOPS HAVE TWO CODE NUMBERS ACCORDING
TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. AT LEAST ONE (ROTUNDA DOS GOLFINHOS) HAS TWO CODES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS ONLY ONE STOP!
CHECK 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

Operated by Grupo Barraqueiro 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. The full size map is in a PDF format and can be downloaded and saved.

Official Giro Network Map updated - Full size PDF version

Giro bus map reduced size

Giro Fares - official flyer
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 showing the stops
Go to WWW.VAMUSALGARVE.PT/GIRO or download their app for the live bus tracker.
It doesn't work all the time but is often useful to see far away your bus is.
You must allow the site or app to access your location.
Especially if you don't know exactly where you are and can't find the nearest stop!

One of the larger new electric buses now in use
Buses of various sizes and shapes are used!
Giro buses
large_electric_bus buses
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 in the old town. Routes 3 and 9 going back.
From the Bus Station to and from the Rua Alves Correeia, nearest the square and the beach, it's only route 10.

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 (Market Hall) 7, 8 Brejos Sul (Casa Benfica) 1, 6, 9, 5, 11
Marina 3, 7, 8 Algarve Shopping 7, 8
Montechoro (Erin's Isle) 1, 6
Páteo and Cerro D'Águia 3, 9 Ferreiras, Malhada Velha 5, 11 Old Town Avenida Liberdade 2, 3, 4, 9, 11
Patroves (infrequent)
3 Camping Albufeira 3, 5, 7, 11
Old Town 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 5, 11 Câmara (Town Hall)
ALL
except 5, 6 and 7
Açoteais, Falésia, Alfamar, Rocha Baixinha
(infrequent)
6

FARES

Contactless payments are not accepted on board! Passes must be purchased at the main bus station and can only be reloaded there. Maybe at some future time on line at www.vamusalgarve.pt/giro

Check the Giro Fares notice.

Single trip cash on board costs €1,90 for 1 zone, €2,40 for 2 zones. Check zones on the map. Children under four years travel free. There is no discount for older children unless residents.

PASSES

Multi journey pre paid pass - loaded onto a rechargeable card costing €3. Each pre paid journey will cost €1,45.  Minimum five journeys, maximum twenty. Will expire if not used after 3 months and will reactivate when topped up. Possibly best value for a visitor who will use buses, but perhaps not every day. Obtain and recharge card at the bus station. Unused money is not refunded, but we understand that the €3 for the card will be refunded if you give it back before you leave. Or keep it for next time.

Three day pass both zones €20,35, 5 day pass €33,55 loaded onto a rechargeable card that costs €3. Days must be consecutive. Card has to be obtained from the bus station ticket office. Allegedly it can be recharged via the website or downloaded and recharged using the VAMUS app. (There is no longer a 1 day pass.)

Monthly pass - loaded onto a rechargeable card which costs €5. Unlimited travel for one calendar month in 1 zone for €18, whole network €21,50. Charging period always begins on the first of the month! There is NO DISCOUNT for children unless residents. Children at school here currently have free travel at all times.

Monthly Seniors Pass - as full adult pass but for those 65 years and over. Monthly cost €11 for 1 zone, €12, 50 for two zones. You have to fill in a form and show some ID at the Bus Station ticket office to prove age. Photo not needed. The pass is usually issued immediately. Note -  monthly passes are charged by the calendar month, so they always start on the 1st of the month. They can recharged for the next month on the 26th of the preceding month or afterwards. Don't buy a new monthly pass on the 25th!

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