Algarve Travel Essentials

Getting There

Almost everyone arrives through Faro Airport. Here are your options.

Fly to Faro

Faro Airport (FAO) is served by Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, TAP, BA, and Lufthansa from across Europe. ~2.5h from London. Book early for summer — fares climb fast.

Drive from Lisbon

2.5–3 hours via the A2 motorway. Tolls apply. From Seville it's ~2 hours to the eastern Algarve via the A22.

Train from Lisbon

~3 hours to Faro. The regional line then runs along the coast between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António.

Flights to Faro

Prices checked 2026-06-10

Madrid Ryanair · direct · 1h25 from €46 London Wizz Air · direct · 3h from €50 Brussels Ryanair · direct · 2h55 from €53 Manchester Ryanair · direct · 2h55 from €66 Düsseldorf Ryanair · direct · 3h05 from €94 Barcelona Ryanair · direct · 2h from €94 Paris Ryanair · direct · 2h40 from €106 Eindhoven Ryanair · direct · 4h05 from €107 Edinburgh Jet2 · direct · 3h25 from €108 Dublin Ryanair · direct · 4h30 from €108

If you fly

Faro Airport (FAO) is the only commercial airport in the Algarve. Direct flights from most European cities year-round.

Book early for summer. Fares to Faro climb sharply from May. Shoulder season (April–May, September–October) is the sweet spot for price and weather.

Know your rights. EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to up to €600 compensation for delays over 3 hours, cancellations, or denied boarding on EU flights.

Luggage limits vary. Low-cost carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air) charge extra for checked bags. Book luggage with your ticket — airport prices are higher.

Flight delayed or cancelled?Check compensation with AirHelp

From Faro Airport

Rental Car

All major companies at the airport. Pre-book in summer — desks sell out.

Most flexible €25–60/day

Compare rental cars from Faro AirportLocalrent·DiscoverCars

Private Transfer

Pre-booked door-to-door. Good for families or late arrivals when you don't want to drive.

Door-to-door €30–80+

Book a reliable airport transferWelcome Pickups·Holiday Taxis

Taxi / Uber / Bolt

Available outside arrivals. Uber and Bolt usually cheaper than taxis. Agree fare or check meter.

No booking needed €15–80+

Public Bus

Bus 16 to Faro centre, then EVA regional buses to other towns. Cheapest but slowest.

Budget €2–8

Do I Need a Rental Car?

It depends where you're staying. The Algarve is 155km end to end — some bases work without a car, others don't.

Car optional

Good bus/train links, walkable town centres, beaches reachable on foot or by short taxi.

Faro 10 min from Faro Olhão 16 min from Faro Tavira 35 min from Faro Loulé 19 min from Faro Albufeira 38 min from Faro

Car recommended

Town centres are walkable, but you'll want a car for beaches, day trips, and restaurants outside the centre.

Lagos 1h 7 min from Faro Lagoa 47 min from Faro Portimão 55 min from Faro Silves 58 min from Faro Vila Real de Santo António 51 min from Faro Castro Marim 47 min from Faro São Brás de Alportel 24 min from Faro

Car essential

Remote locations with limited or no public transport. You can't reach most beaches or trails without driving.

Aljezur 1h 23 min from Faro Vila do Bispo 1h 24 min from Faro Monchique 1h 10 min from Faro Alcoutim 1h 30 min from Faro

Compare rental cars from Faro AirportLocalrent·DiscoverCars

Getting around by train

The Algarve line runs Lagos–Tunes–Faro–Vila Real de Santo António with 10 municipalities served. Trains are cheap (€2–7), uncrowded outside commuter hours, and reach the main coastal towns without a car.

Frequent service

25+ trains/day — practical as main transport

Faro 53 trains/day Albufeira 28 trains/day Loulé 28 trains/day Olhão 25 trains/day Tavira 25 trains/day Castro Marim 25 trains/day Vila Real de Santo António 25 trains/day

Regular service

15–24 trains/day — useful for day trips

Portimão 20 trains/day Lagos 20 trains/day Lagoa 18 trains/day Silves 18 trains/day

No train station

Car or transfer required

Aljezur No station Vila do Bispo No station Monchique No station Alcoutim No station São Brás de Alportel No station

Timetables and tickets: cp.pt · Weekday frequency from CP GTFS data

Compare trains, buses and coachesOmio

If you drive

Right-hand traffic. Speed limits: 50 urban, 90 rural, 120 motorway (km/h).

Tolls on A22 and A2 — some electronic only (Via Verde). Ask your rental company for a toll device.

Parking fills fast in summer. Beach parking is paid Jun–Sep. Arrive early or park on the outskirts.

Manual is default. Automatic costs more and sells out — book early if you need it.

Quick Reference

The essentials at a glance.

Currency: Euro (€). Cards widely accepted. Carry cash for markets and small shops. ATMs (Multibanco) everywhere.

Language: Portuguese. English widely spoken in tourist areas. A few Portuguese phrases go a long way.

Tipping: Not included. Round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants. Not expected in cafes or taxis.

Meal times: Lunch 12:30–2:30pm, dinner from 7:30pm. Most restaurants close between 3–7pm. Tap water is not free — order bottled. Book dinner in summer.

Supermarkets: Pingo Doce, Continente, Aldi, Lidl. Most close by 9–10pm. Open Sundays but smaller shops may not be.

Emergencies: 112 (EU-wide). SNS health line: 808 200 200. Pharmacies (green cross) rotate late-night duty.

Health: Carry EHIC/GHIC (EU citizens). Pharmacies well-stocked. Tap water safe. Sun is strong — high SPF essential.

Plugs & time: Type F (two round pins), 230V. UK adapter needed. Time zone: WET (GMT+0), same as UK. Summer: GMT+1.

Phone: EU roaming applies. WiFi in most hotels, restaurants, and cafes. Local SIMs available.