Planning a trip to Lagos in the Algarve? Whether you’re attracted by its golden beaches, the spectacular cliffs of Ponta da Piedade or the warm atmosphere of the historic center, the first step is to organize your arrival!
Plane, train, car… Find out our practical advice and the different options for reaching Lagos according to your travel preferences.
This is a completely independent opinion, based on our own experience. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
How to get to Lagos: quick answer
There are several options for getting to Lagos:
- By plane: Faro Airport, about 1 hour’s drive away, is the ideal gateway to numerous international connections. – see available flights.
- By train: the CP rail network serves Lagos Station, linking it to other Algarve towns such as Portimão, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé and Faro, among other destinations.
- By car: the A22 freeway runs directly to Lagos, then take exit 1 towards the N120 to reach the city center if you’re arriving from Faro. Cabs also provide connections between towns in the Algarve.
- By bus: several companies (Vamus, Rede Expressos, ALSA) provide comfortable daily connections to the Lagos bus station, from towns near and far.
For travel between Faro Airport and Lagos, opt for a private transfer. – see options.
Our map of the Algarve will help you locate Lagos:
WHERE TO STAY IN Lagos
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Best hotel in Porto de Mós
Hotel Vivenda Miranda – See prices, photos and availability
Best hotel in Ponta da Piedade
Cascade Wellness Resort Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Best hotel in Meia Praia
Aparthotel Palmares Signature – See prices, photos and availability
Best hotel in the old town
Hotel Lagos Avenida – See prices, photos and availability
Option 1: by plane
- Lagos can be reached by plane from Faro Airport, about 1 hour’s drive away.
- Direct flights connect Faro to many European cities, both in low and high season. – see available flights.
- To reach downtown Lagos from the airport, you can opt for: local cabs, private transfers, buses, or rent a car directly on site.
- To know if you opt for public transport: several bus companies (Vamus, ALSA, Flixbus) offer routes linking the airport to the Lagos bus station in 1h45 to 2h. Find out more here.
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.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Option 2: by train
- The train is a convenient and picturesque way to reach Lagos.
- Lagos is well connected with direct flights from many towns in the Algarve.
- Allow around 25min to Portimão, 40min to Silves, 1h to Albufeira, 1h30 to Loulé and 1h45 to Faro.
- The Lagos train station is in the immediate vicinity of the city center and port.
- Consult available routes and train timetables on the official rail network website here.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
Option 3: by car
Driving to Lagos lets you discover the Algarve at your own pace. The roads are modern and well-maintained. We didn’t encounter any particular driving difficulties on our trip to the region, apart from some small unpaved roads off the beaten track.
- From Portimão: approx. 30min via A22
- From Faro: about 1 hour via the A22 motorway
- From Lisbon: about 3 hours via the A2 then the A22
Lagos is easily reached by car, but traffic in the historic center can quickly become complicated due to its narrow or pedestrian streets. It’s best to avoid driving there. We recommend parking in the Frente Ribeirinha covered parking lot, which is very convenient and well located for exploring the city on foot. However, the car remains an excellent means of reaching Lagos’ most beautiful beaches, located away from the center, such as Praia do Porto de Mós, which is difficult to reach by other means.
Option 4: by bus
Bus companies run regular services to Lagos from many towns in the Algarve and throughout Portugal. Departures and arrivals are from the bus station (Terminal Rodoviário), ideally located just a stone’s throw from the city center. Among the best-known companies:
Journey times, fares and comfort levels vary from company to company.
Getting around Lagos in the Algarve
Getting around Lagos is easy and pleasant:
- It’s easy to discover the town center on foot, with its charming alleyways, well-signposted crosswalks and light traffic.
- Some of the old town’s streets are narrow or pedestrianized, so it’s best to avoid driving in them.
- Parking Frente Ribeirinha (fee-paying and covered), in the immediate vicinity of the center, is ideal for exploring the city on foot.
The car is still very useful in Lagos for:
- Quick and easy access to the more remote beaches of Ponta da Piedade, such as Praia do Canavial.
- Discover the surrounding area at your own pace.
Other practical means of transport:
- Little tourist train: a fun way to discover Lagos with 9 stops from the marina to Meia Praia via Ponta da Piedade – more info here.
- Lagos urban bus network: 10 bus routes serving the whole municipality – find out more here.
- Local cabs: we recommend Lagos Transfer Service – details here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE algarve
- Best of
Things to do in the Algarve
Most beautiful landscapes (coming soon)
Most beautiful towns and villages
Algarve’s most beautiful beaches
- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in the Algarve (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
How many days?
Itineraries (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Ponta da Piedade (coming soon)
Benagil cave (coming soon)
Praia da Marinha
Dolphin watching (coming soon)
What to do in Lagos
What to do in Portimao
What to do in Albufeira
What to do in Faro
SHE MADE THE TRIP AND WROTE THE ARTICLE Elisa
