The information has been obtained from printed
timetables and other local sources (like taking the bus) and is
given in good faith.
The situation regarding Algarve railway stations is evolving as
modernisation work continues. I have not been able to visit some
places for some weeks. All stations now have or very soon will
have high level platforms with minimal steps into and out of
trains. Access will become easier when electric trains enter local
service some time next year.
I have to say, unfortunately, some of the buses and trains in the Algarve are not very disabled-person friendly.
Many of the buses have high steps in and out. You will sometimes see what you in the UK would call a ‘coach’ being used on local buses. These of course have steep steps in and out. Most newer buses are accessible, some of the older ones are not. It is impossible to say for some routes at which times which type of vehicle will be used.
Some good news is that the GIRO (local) buses
normally used in Albufeira have only one step and should be
suitable for the majority of travellers. They have a ramp to
permit wheelchair and baby buggy access. The mini-buses on other
urban networks (Faro, Lagos, Portimão etc) are also
accessible. These too have ramps for wheelchair users.
On the trains, the combination (in some places) of
low station platforms and steep steps into and out of the train
will make it very difficult for some. Wheelchair access is out of
the question; it seems just not to be catered for. Newer trains
are now in service, but these also require steps to board/alight.
For more information about the stations and trains, click here.
These are personal opinions (I am able-bodied) but based on observations and frequent use of buses and trains!
Many thanks to the Administrator at www.albufeira.com for an
improved French translation:
VERSION FRANÇAISE
Je dois dire, malheureusement, que nombreuses
autobus et trains en Algarve ne sont pas pratiques pour les
handicapés. Certains des bus ont des marches élevées a
l’entrée et à la sortie. Vous verrez souvent ce que nous
appelons un ‘autocar’ (autobus de long parcours) étant utilisés
sur les parcours locaux; ceux-ci naturellement ont des
marches raides. Par contre, les autobus du «GIRO» à Albufeira et
aussi de 'Vai e Vem' en Portimão et les autobus 'A Onda' á Lagos,
n’ont qu’une seule marche et devraient être accessible à la
majorité des voyageurs. Ils existentent accès pour fauteils
roulants et poussettes.
Pour les trains, la combinaison de quais de gare
(plateformes) abaissés et de hautes marches aux portes des trains
rendra l’accès très difficile pour certains. Le passage de
fauteuils roulants est impossible; il ne me semble pas avoir
été prévu. Ceux-ci peuvent être plus faciles à utiliser pour
les personnes à mobilité restreinte.
And, to the same source, for a much improved Portuguese version.
Tenho que dizer, infelizmente, que muitos dos
autocarros e dos comboios no Algarve não são muito amigáveis para
pessoas com deficiência motora. A maioria dos autocarros têm
degraus altos à entrada e à saída. Irá encontrar com
frequência o que nós, no Reino Unido, chamamos um 'coach'
(autocarro de longo trajecto tipo Renex ou Rede Expressos)
utilizado em percursos locais; os quais naturalmente
têm degraus bastante íngremes.
Os autocarros do rede GIRO em Albufeira e 'Vai e
Vem' em Portimão e A Onda em Lagos, no entanto, têm apenas um
degrau e deverão ser apropriados para a maioria dos viajantes.
Eles têm uma rampa para permitir o acesso de cadeiras de rodas e
carrinhos de bebê
Nos combois, a combinação das plataformas da
estação baixa e íngremes degraus dentro tornará muito difícil para
alguns. Acesso para deficientes está quase fora de questão, que
parece só não ter servido.
Thanks to Markus Frühauf for this German
translation:
DEUTSCHE VERSION
Ich muß leider sagen, daß viele Busse und auch
Züge an der Algarve nicht unbedingt für Behinderte geeignet sind.
Die meisten Busse haben hohe Stufen an den Ein- und Ausgangstüren.
Fernreisebusse (wie in Großbritannien die "Coach") werden häufig
auch auf lokalen Linien verwendet; gerade diese haben steile
Stufen an den Türen. Eine gute Nachricht für Albufeira: Die
stadt Busse des liniens GIRO in Albufeira, 'Vai e Vem' Portimão
und 'Onda' Busse im stadt Lagos haben nur eine kleine Stufe und
sollten für die meisten Reisenden passierbar sein. Sie verfügen
über eine Rampe, die den Zugang für Rollstuhlfahrer und
Kinderwagen ermöglicht
Die Kombination von niedrigen Bahnsteigen und
hohen Einstiegen verhindert bei den Zügen einen
behindertenfreundlichen Zugang, besonders Rollstuhlfahrer werden
hier Schwierigkeiten haben.
Several stations on the Algarve line are being
rebuilt to improve access for the less mobile. Work is in
progress or soon will be at Estombar - Lagoa; Poço Barreto,
Alcantarilha; Mexilhoeira Grande; Luz; Tavira; Castro Marim and
Monte Gordo. Some further modifications are being made on the
eastern section of the line in tandem with the electrification
works. I have not yet been able to check on progress in all
areas.
I must emphasise that there is currently NO STEP
FREE ACCESS at any Algarve station to any train while it is in
the platform. All trains in use have steps up into the carriage.
Some platforms are very low making it difficult for some. Things
will be easier at those very few stations with modern high
platforms, but access with a wheelchair is still not possible
without assistance. Only those stations named in BOLD
have staff present (not necessarily all day) but none are
normally visible on platforms.
The unstaffed stations do not have toilets. They
are available at staffed stations but, because of persistent
vandalism, it may be necessary to ask for the key at the ticket
office. Which is not going to be open all day. All trains have
at least one toilet on board.
For details of ticket office opening times and
other information about stations, go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Stations
Tickets for regional trains can be purchased at
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
or you can download their smartphone 'app'. These can be printed
or shown to the conductor on a suitable mobile device. You may
be fined if you board a train without a ticket at a station
where the ticket office is open.
If boarding at an unstaffed station, you can buy
tickets for local journeys on board the train. Payment can be
made in cash only.
Tickets for trains to Lisbon cannot be purchased
on board. Purchase long distance tickets, up to 60 days in
advance, at one of the staffed stations or go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
or the official Comboios de Portugal app. Reservation is
COMPULSORY on all trains between the Algarve and Lisbon
stations.
Assistance for those with mobility issues can be
booked via this page - https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel/Special-needs-customers
| Station name |
Access to station
and platforms |
|---|---|
| Even
though almost all stations now have high platforms there
is still a step into and out of the trains currently in
use. The local trains do NOT carry portable ramps for
wheelchairs. I have NEVER seen anyone in a wheelchair
using them. Most of the work to rebuild and upgrade stations is now complete. High platforms with step free access are in place along with new lighting and shelters where needed. Some small bits of work remain but nothing troublesome. |
|
| LAGOS |
Step free access to the
station and all platforms. Modern high platforms. |
| MEIA PRAIA |
Step free access to the
single platform. Picture here. |
| MEXILHOEIRA GRANDE |
High level platforms, flat
crossing between the two platforms and step-free access.
Picture here. |
| Step free access to the
westbound platform. For access to the eastbound platform
use the flat crossing over the tracks, where there is a
fairly steep ramp and small step. |
|
| FERRAGUDO |
High platform now
installed. Step free access. |
| ESTOMBAR LAGOA |
Work complete. Step free
access to both platforms via a foot crossing over the
tracks. Approach to the station is up a short (50 metres
approx.) hill. |
| SILVES |
Step free access to the
station area now via a gate beside the old station
building. Access to the westbound platform is via a foot
crossing over the tracks. High platforms on both sides.
Picture of the railway station taken from the level
crossing at the end of the platforms here. |
| POÇO BARRETO |
Step free access to the
single platform. |
| ALCANTARILHA |
Step free access the
station entrance. Step free access to both platforms via a
foot crossing over the tracks. |
| ALGOZ |
Step free access to the
station and the single platform. High level platform and
ramps now complete. |
| MESSINES - ALTE |
Step free access to the
platform normally used - Platform 2 - is via a flat
crossing over the tracks. The station is on an embankment
high above town and access is by way of a steep hill. |
| TUNES |
Modern high platforms
except on platform 1, which is used only occasionally.
There is a bridge over the tracks with a lift / elevator
for those unable to use the steps. Picture of the station
here. |
| ALBUFEIRA |
Ramp into station and main platform, lift / elevator available to cross tracks to second platform. Modern high platforms (mostly) but regional trains sometimes stop partly on the old low section! |
| BOLIQUEIME |
There is step free access
to the right of the old station building onto the main
platform used by nearly all trains. The new second
platform is complete. There is a flat crossing over the
tracks and a short ramp for access. Pictures before
opening here. |
| LOULÉ |
Step free access to main platform. Access to second platform via a foot crossing at the end of the main platform. Modern high platforms. |
| ALMANCIL |
Step free access to the
single platform. |
| PARQUE DAS CIDADES |
Station is on an elevated
section of track.There is a steep ramp up to the platform
used by most trains, but not to the other. |
| FARO |
Easy access to the station, step free access to all platforms. Modern high platforms. |
| BOM JOÃO |
A fairly steep ramp leads
down to the single high platform. No steps. |
| OLHÃO |
Modern high platforms are
on both sides, with a step free ramp and flat crossing
between them. Work in progress 20th November to extend the
platforms for the new longer trains. |
| FUZETA - A |
Step free access to the
single high platform. |
| FUZETA - MONCARAPACHO |
Step free access to the
platform mostly used. Access via a flat crossing over the
tracks and a ramp to the 'other' platform sometimes used.
Both platforms are high level. Works at the station almost
complete. |
| LIVRAMENTO |
Single high platform.
Access ramp complete. |
| LUZ DE TAVIRA |
Single high platform.
Access ramp complete. |
| TAVIRA |
Flat access to station
building and both platforms via ramps and a crossing over
the tracks. Both are modern high platforms. 20th November - work continues to lengthen the platforms and install extra lighting. Temporary, step free, access to station and a flat crossing between platforms. There seems to be no direct effect on users. |
| PORTA NOVA |
Single high platform, there
is a fairly steep ramp up to it. New shelter under
construction 20th November |
| CONCEIÇÃO | Step free access to the
single low platform by two steep ramps adjacent to the old
station building. The path most people can use is badly
surfaced. Picture of the station here
and here.
One of the ramps can be seen at the far end. |
| CACELA |
Step free access to the
station. High platforms with a step free ramp and crossing
between. Pictures taken 290824 1, 2 and
3 The crossing over the tracks is behind where picture 3 was taken. |
| CASTRO MARIM |
Step free access to the
single platform beside the old station building. |
| MONTE GORDO |
Step free access to the
single platform. |
| VILA REAL DE SANTO
ANTÓNIO |
Step free access to station
building and platform 1, normally used for all trains.
Step free access via a flat crossing to the other
platform, which is only used occasionally. Work in
progress 20th November to extend the platforms for the new
longer trains. |
Doors of an Alfa Pendular train (Porto - Lisbon - Faro route) showing why those less able have problems! Click to see in full size.
These trains have a
wheelchair lift in carriage 4. If you wish to take an unfolded
chair on board, obtain a reservation with a seat in that car.
Check with the railway that the lift is suitable. The older
'Inter-City' trains have similar steps but no wheelchair lift
etc. Same for regional trains in the Algarve.
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
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