The Algarve is located in the extreme south of Portugal. Bordered on two sides by the Atlantic, to the south and west, the region’s ochre cliffs, beaches and coves stretch for around 150km from east to west. It’s a destination that’s easy to reach from Europe and full of charm.
Here you’ll find all the practical options for getting there: by plane, train, bus or car.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to the Algarve
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- In southern Portugal, accessible from all over Europe
- By plane: Faro International Airport (FAO), 5km from the center of Faro – direct flights from many European cities in high season. Compare flights.
- By car: approx. 3h from Lisbon via A2, 2h from Sevilla via A22. Book a rental car.
- By train: from Lisbon (Oriente station) to Faro or Albufeira – approx. 2h45.
- By bus: from Lisbon to the main towns in the Algarve – approx. 3h30 to 4h via Rede Expressos.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Algarve
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in the Algarve
- Our favorite: Hotel Palmares Signature Apartments
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Where to find the Algarve
The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region. It stretches some 150km from east to west, from Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border to Cape St. Vincent, the most south-westerly point of continental Europe. The region’s main cities are Faro (the capital), Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira.
The region is divided into two distinct fronts: the south coast (Sotavento to the east, Barlavento to the west), renowned for its cliffs and sheltered beaches, and the wilder west coast, exposed to the Atlantic. Here is a map to help you find your way:
Good to know: the A22 freeway, also known as Via do Infante, runs along the entire south coast of the Algarve from east to west. It’s the main route for getting around the region once you’re here. Please note: this freeway is not free.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Algarve
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
By plane: Faro International Airport (FAO)
Faro airport, gateway to the Algarve
Faro International Airport is the only airport in the region. Just 5km from Faro city center, it’s a 30-minute drive from Albufeira, 1h from Portimão and 1h30 from Lagos. This is the most direct way to reach the Algarve, especially from Europe.
The airport handles millions of passengers a year, making it one of the busiest in Portugal. We advise you to book your plane tickets in advance, especially between June and September: flights fill up quickly and fares rise with each passing week.
Main flight connections to Faro (FAO)
- From France: seasonal flights from Paris (Orly, CDG), Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille (Transavia, easyJet, Vueling, Ryanair).
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (easyJet, Swiss, Edelweiss)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (Brussels Airlines, TUI fly)
- From Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg (Ryanair, Eurowings, Condor, Lufthansa)
- From the UK: London (Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, British Airways)
- From the Netherlands: Amsterdam (KLM, Transavia, easyJet)
- From mainland Portugal: Lisbon and Porto (TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair) – flights all year round, approx. 1h flight time
Connections from Lisbon and Porto are operated year-round. Flights from the rest of Europe are mostly seasonal (April to October). In low season (November to March), it’s often easier to transit via Lisbon.
Tip: if you’re traveling out of season, consider comparing flights to Lisbon, which are sometimes cheaper, and combining them with train or car travel to the Algarve.
Compare available flights to Faro.
Options from Faro Airport to Algarve destinations
The airport is 5km from the center of Faro. There are several ways to reach your destination, depending on your budget and preferences.
By rental car
In our opinion, a rental car is the best option for exploring the Algarve. It offers total freedom to reach beaches, villages and natural sites that are often poorly served by public transport. The main agencies have counters in the airport arrivals hall, as well as in town.
We advise you to book in advance, especially between July and August: available vehicles are scarce and prices increase. From the airport, it’s about 30 minutes to Albufeira, 1 hour to Portimão and 1.5 hours to Lagos via the A22 freeway.
Book a rental car in the Algarve.
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By cab or private transfer
Cabs waiting outside the arrivals terminal. The fare is set per meter; remember to check that the driver switches it on at the start. A surcharge applies at night and on public holidays.
For added convenience, you can book a private transfer in advance. A driver will meet you at the terminal exit and take you directly to your accommodation. This formula is particularly suitable for families or groups, as the cost is divided between the passengers. We appreciate this option after an overnight flight or a long day’s travel.
See transfers from Faro Airport
By public transport
The EVA Transportes and Rede Expressos bus network serves the Algarve’s main towns from Faro airport. Stops are scheduled in Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos and other towns depending on the route. Frequency varies according to destination and season; in low season, timetables are reduced.
You can also take a cab to Faro station (approx. 10min, €10-15), then catch a train to other towns in the region. We recommend checking the latest timetables on the Rede Expressos website here before you leave.
Time to Albufeira: ~45min
Approximate cost: €5-8 per person, depending on destination
By car from Lisbon, Porto or Spain
A car is a very practical way of getting to the Algarve, especially if you want to stop off on the way or if you plan to move freely around the region once you’re there. The Portuguese motorway network is in good condition and well signposted.
From Lisbon
From Lisbon, the most direct route takes the A2 south to Albufeira, then the A22 (Via do Infante) to other coastal towns. The journey takes around 3 hours to Albufeira in normal traffic conditions. Allow a little more time in July and August, especially around Lisbon.
We like this option, as it allows us to make stops along the way – in the Alentejo, for example, between Évora and Beja, for a lunch break in a landscape of golden plains.
- Lisbon → Albufeira: ~3h on the A2
- Lisbon → Portimão: ~3h15 via A2 then A22
- Lisbon → Lagos: ~3h30 via A2 then A22
- Lisbon → Faro: ~3h via A2 then A22
Good to know: tolls are charged on the A2 and A22 freeways. Bring change or a credit card for tolls, or ask about Via Verde (Portuguese electronic toll collection) if you’re driving an equipped rental car.
From Porto
From Porto, it’s a 5.5-hour drive to Albufeira on the A1, then the A2. The journey is long but the freeway is direct. We advise you to plan an overnight stay in Lisbon or Alentejo if you’re leaving from Porto – it makes the trip more enjoyable and allows you to discover other regions of Portugal.
From Spain
The Algarve is accessible from Spain via two main points of entry. From Sevilla, the quickest route is along the Spanish A49 to Huelva, then across the border to Ayamonte and onto the Portuguese A22 – about 2 hours to Faro. From Madrid, allow around 5h30 on the Spanish A5 and A6 to Badajoz, before crossing into Portuguese territory.
Book a rental car for your stay in the Algarve.
By train from Lisbon
The train is a comfortable and pleasant alternative to the car for reaching the Algarve from Lisbon. Portugal’s national airline CP(Comboios de Portugal) operates regular services between the capital and the main towns in the region.
The Lisbon – Faro route with Alfa Pendular
The Alfa Pendular is the fastest train between Lisbon and the Algarve. It departs from Oriente station (well served by metro and bus) and serves several stops including Setúbal, Alcácer do Sal, Tunes and Faro. The journey takes around 2h45 to Faro. There are additional stops for Albufeira (Ferreiras station, a few kilometers from the center).
We like this option: the train is air-conditioned, has electrical outlets and offers appreciable comfort. What’s more, it avoids tolls and driving fatigue. Frequency is around 4 to 6 trains a day, depending on the season.
- Departure: Oriente train station (Lisboa Oriente), Lisbon
- Time to Faro: ~2h45
- Time to Tunes (connection to western Algarve): ~2h30
- Price: between €25 and €45 depending on class and availability
- Advance booking recommended, especially in high season, link here
Good to know: from Tunes station, there’s a connection to Lagos to the west, or to other towns on the Barlavento line. From Faro, you can also take a bus or cab to your final destinations.
For travelers departing from France, it is possible to combine a Paris – Lisbon train ticket with a connection to the Algarve.
By bus from Lisbon
The bus is the most economical way to reach the Algarve from Lisbon or other Portuguese cities. Rede Expressos operates regular services to Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Faro and other towns in the region.
They depart from Lisbon’s Sete Rios bus station, accessible by metro (blue line, Jardim Zoológico station). Departures are regular throughout the day, with approximately one bus per hour to Albufeira and Faro in high season.
Buses are air-conditioned and equipped with luggage compartments. We recommend booking in advance on the Rede Expressos website, especially in July and August.
- Departure: Sete Rios Bus Station, Lisbon
- Time to Albufeira: ~3h30
- Time to Portimão or Lagos: ~4h to 4h30
- Time to Faro: ~3h30
- Price: between €18 and €25 per person
View opening times and book on Rede Expressos.
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Getting around the Algarve
The Algarve is best explored by car. The region is vast, and the most beautiful beaches, coves and natural sites are often far from city centers or train stations. A rental car will give you total freedom to organize your days at your own pace.
Book your rental car in Algarve.
Apart from the car, the EVA Transportes bus network links the main towns. Opening times are good in high season, more limited outside. Regional trains are useful for journeys between major cities, but stations are often far from the beaches. For themed excursions, Benagil caves, boat tours, guided tours, we recommend an organized tour: many options are available from the main towns.
Good to know: in high season, beach and town center parking lots fill up quickly. Plan to arrive early in the morning for the most popular sites, such as Praia Da Marinha or Ponta Da Piedade.
FUN in the Algarve: activities
Caves and Cliffs by Boat
Kayak Tours
Dolphin watching
Jeep Tour
And once in the Algarve…
Once you’ve arrived, the Algarve has a lot to offer. We loved exploring this region and share the best of it with you.
- The cliffs and beaches of the south coast: Praia Da Marinha, Praia Da Falésia, Praia Do Camilo
- The Benagil caves, accessible by boat or kayak
- Sagres Fort and Cape St. Vincent, Europe’s most south-westerly point
- The cities of Faro, Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Tavira
- Ria Formosa Natural Park, near Faro
- Inland lakes and villages: Monchique, Silves, Odeleite
See our complete guide to the best things to do in the Algarve.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE algarve
- Best of
What to do in the Algarve
The most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Algarve’s most beautiful beaches
Best excursions
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in the Algarve
How many days?
Itineraries
Where to stay in the Algarve
Lagos, Portimao or Albufeira
Most beautiful hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
