The information has been obtained from printed
timetables and other local sources (like taking the bus) and is
given in good faith.
Page checked and updated 28th May 2023
I have to say, unfortunately, many of the buses and all trains in the Algarve are not very disabled-person friendly.
Many of the buses have high steps in and out. You will often 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 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. La plupart des autobus 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 existent accès pour fauteils roulants.
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.
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 para
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
lokalen Busse des GIRO in Albufeira auch 'Vai e Vem' Portimão und
'Onda' Busse im stadt Lagos haben nur eine kleine Stufe und
sollten für die meisten Reisenden passierbar sein.
Die Kombination von niedrigen Bahnsteigen und
hohen Einstiegen verhindert bei den Zügen einen
behindertenfreundlichen Zugang, besonders Rollstuhlfahrer werden
hier Schwierigkeiten haben.
Several stations are being rebuilt to improve
access for the less mobile. Work is in progress or soon will be
at Estombar - Lagoa; 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.
I must emphasise that there is 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.
For details of ticket office opening times and
other information about stations, go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Stations
If boarding at an unstaffed station, buy tickets
for local journeys on board the train. Payment can be made in
cash only. Tickets for regional trains can be purchased at https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
or you can download their smartphone 'app'.
Tickets for trains to Lisbon cannot be purchased
on board. Purchase at one of the staffed stations or go to https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets
for on line long distance tickets, up to 60 days in advance.
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 |
|---|---|
| LAGOS |
Flat access to the station
and all platforms. Modern high platforms. |
| MEIA PRAIA |
Flat access to the single
low platform. |
| MEXILHOEIRA GRANDE |
Flat crossing over the
tracks to the westbound platform. Access to station is
along a badly maintained road and there is a kerb of about
12cm / 5" at the station entrance. |
| Flat 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 |
Flat access to the single low platform. |
| ESTOMBAR LAGOA |
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 is only via a gate beside the old station
office 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 |
Flat access to the single platform. |
| ALCANTARILHA |
Step free access to both platforms via a foot crossing over the tracks. |
| ALGOZ |
Flat access to the single platform. |
| 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. There is a bridge over the tracks
with a lift / elevator for those unable to use the steps. |
| 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 a ramp to the main platform used by nearly all trains, to the left of the station building. There is no step free access to the second platform used by a couple of trains each day. There is a step of about 10" / 30cm down to the foot crossing over the tracks. |
| LOULÉ |
Flat access to main platform. Access to second platform via a foot crossing at the end of the main platform. Modern high platforms. |
| ALMANCIL |
Flat access to the single low 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,
flat access to most platforms, access to one other is via
a foot crossing with a small step. Modern high platforms. |
| BOM JOÃO |
A fairly steep ramp leads
down to the single platform. No steps. |
| OLHÃO |
Modern high platforms are
on both sides, with a ramp and flat crossing between them. |
| FUZETA - A |
Flat access to the single
high platform. Staff present only on weekday mornings. |
| FUZETA - MONCARAPACHO |
Main platform is
accessible. Access via a flat crossing over the tracks and
a ramp to the 'other' platform sometimes used. Both
platforms are high level. |
| LIVRAMENTO |
Flat access to the single high platform |
| LUZ DE TAVIRA |
Flat access to the single
high platform |
| TAVIRA |
Flat access to station
building and both platforms via ramps and a crossing over
the tracks. Both are modern high platforms. |
| PORTA NOVA |
Flat access to the single low platform |
| CONCEIÇÃO | Flat 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 |
High platforms are now in
place with a ramp and crossing between. |
| CASTRO MARIM |
Flat access to the single
platform beside the old station building. The platform is
still of the low variety. |
| MONTE GORDO |
Flat access to the single low platform. |
| VILA REAL DE SANTO
ANTÓNIO |
Flat access to station
building and platform 1, normally used for all trains.
There is no step free access to the other platform. Staff
present to give assistance. |
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
