Planning a trip from Lisbon to the Algarve in Portugal? There are several ways to journey from Lisbon to the Algarve. You can choose from driving, taking a train, hopping on a bus, or even catching a flight.
We typically drive our own car when visiting, especially since we often stay for several weeks and bring our two dogs along. We always go to Algarve in winter and the journey takes several days (~3000 km from Czech Republic) 😅.
From what I’ve observed, navigating the roads in southern Portugal is a breeze, with many of them being quite deserted, particularly in the winter. Moreover, if we prefer to steer clear of the highways, it’s easily achievable.
However, one aspect of Portuguese highways I find less appealing is their toll payment system. It can be complex, and without prior preparation, you might find yourself having to avoid highways altogether due to difficulties in paying the toll. You will see later in the article.
Having said that, travelling by car from Lisbon is by far the best mean of travel in Algarve. There is so much to see and being dependent on trains or buses could make your life unnecessarily complicated.
Driving from Lisbon to Algarve
Driving from Lisbon to the Algarve is a popular choice among travellers, as it allows you to fully experience the beauty of the Portuguese landscape. Renting a car is a convenient way to explore at your own pace, ensuring that you make the most of your journey. We recommend booking with RentalCars and picking up the car directly at the airport.
Firstly, you’ll likely be taking the A2 highway, which is the most direct route connecting Lisbon to the Algarve. This well-maintained highway stretches for around 275 kilometres (171 miles) and typically takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to travel, depending on traffic and your final destination within the Algarve region.
It’s important to note that A2 highway is a toll road. Tolls can cost around €25 for an average car, but this price may increase for larger vehicles such as 4x4s, vans or commercial vehicles. On A2 you pay for toll at toll booths with your credit card.
After A2 you will likely connect to a scenic motorway A22 across Algarve, which is also a toll road. Depending on how far you are going, prepare to spend another €10 to €30. Paying toll on A22 is tricky and I would recommend hiring a car that is registered in Via Verde toll system, or has an electronic transporder. You can easily check with the rental company. Almost all rental companies on RentalCars offer that.
You can use these websites to calculate exact toll:
- TollGuru: This tool provides a toll calculator for Portugal among other countries, where you can input your route and vehicle type to get an estimate of the toll costs.
- Vialivre: They offer a toll calculator for the A22 motorway, which is part of the route from Lisbon to Faro. You can select the class of your vehicle along with the origin and destination to calculate the toll value.
- ViaMichelin: This tool provides driving directions along with the distance, cost (tolls, fuel, cost per passenger), and journey time based on traffic conditions. You can calculate your route from Lisbon to Faro by car or motorbike on this platform.
How to pay for toll
The main A2 highway has toll booths, where you will easily pay with your credit card.
To pay for tolls on the A22 highway, there are different methods available depending on whether your vehicle has a Portuguese or foreign plate number:
For Portuguese plate numbers
- Via Verde Portugal: A system where you can pay tolls electronically.
- CTT’s post-payment system: A method which allows you to pay for tolls after your journey.
- Satelise: An electronic toll payment solution.
- Paytolls: Another option for electronic toll payment.
For foreign plate numbers
- Transponder issued by Via Verde Portugal: A device which can be used to electronically pay for tolls, but you have to get it in advance at one of the service points of National Postal Service of Portugal and later you have to send it back. Ugh 🤯
- Tollcard: A prepaid card that can be activated through SMS, and the toll charges will be deducted from the prepaid amount. Learn more here.
- Easy Toll: A payment system especially designed for foreign vehicles. You just put in your credit card and you are good to go. You have to use one of the ‚‚Welcome Points’’ at their respective locations:
- Paytolls: As with Portuguese plate numbers, this is an option for electronic toll payment.
- Temporary transponder: Foreign and Portuguese registered vehicle drivers can obtain a temporary transponder for the A22 and similar unattended motorways by making a deposit payment of €27.50 and a minimum class 1 pre-paid charge of €10. The transponder rental is €6 for the first week, and €2.50 for each subsequent week.
💡 If you happen to forget to pay for the toll you you find it too complicated, you can always ditch these solutions and pay everything after your trip is done via this link. Just do it in a timely manner, because if you don’t, Vialivre will send you a notice and they will charge you extra 2,21 EUR per trip (Source: Vialivre).
Taking the Train
There are three types of trains to consider for your journey:
- Alfa Pendular
- Intercidades
- Regional Train
The Alfa Pendular is the fastest option, offering a high-speed service with modern amenities and comfortable seating. The Intercidades is a slightly slower but still convenient intercity service, while the Regional Train offers the most affordable option with fewer onboard facilities.
Check the timetables here.
Here is a table of most used connections:
| Route | Train Type | Duration | Price Range (€) | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon to Faro | Alfa Pendular | ~2.5 to 3 hours | 22.90 – 30.70 | Multiple times daily | Higher speed, 1st and 2nd class available1 |
| Lisbon to Faro | Intercidades | ~3.5 hours | 21.90 – 28.70 | Multiple times daily | 1st and 2nd class available1 |
| Lisbon to Faro | Regional | Longer duration | Lower price | Slower train, single class, no seat reservation1 | |
| Lisbon to Albufeira | Alfa Pendular | ~2.5 hours | Lower price | Faster connection to southern Portugal2 |
Lisbon and the Algarve are connected by a single train line, which passes through the town of Tunes before terminating in Faro. From Tunes and Faro, you can access the Algarve regional railway, which extends from Vila Real de Santo António in the east to Lagos in the west.
Should your destination be Lagos (windward), Tavira, or Vila Real de Santo António (leeward), you’ll need to alight at Tunes and switch to the Regional train heading to Lagos / Vila Real de Santo António.
Bearing this in mind, unless your stops are Albufeira, Loulé, or Faro, opting for the bus might be a more convenient choice even though the journey may extend a bit longer compared to the train.
Flying from Lisbon to Algarve
To fly from Lisbon to Algarve, you have only one option really. The only airport in Algarve is Faro Airport (except a small airport in Portimao) and is frequented by various airlines like TAP or Ryanair.
Opting for a flight to Faro might seem like a speedy choice, yet with return fares starting at €100 or higher, it’s considerably more expensive compared to bus or train fares. TAP and Ryanair operates the flights between Lisbon and Faro, with a flight duration of 45 minutes.
However, when you factor in the time spent commuting to and from the airport, coupled with the recommended arrival of at least 30 minutes prior to departure at the boarding gate, the time saved diminishes, making the difference in travel duration less noteworthy when compared to other transportation options.
Bus Travel
Taking a bus from Lisbon to the Algarve is an affordable and convenient option. There are several bus companies serving the route, including Rede Expressos, Renex, and Flixbus. Buses usually take 2-4 hours, depending on your destination in the Algarve region.
You can catch a bus from Lisbon’s main station, Sete Rios Bus Terminal. The terminal is easy to access and located near the Jardim Zoológico, offering plenty of amenities while you wait for your bus departure time.
The most frequent buses are operated by these companies:
- Rede Expressos – Search for tickets online
- Flixbus – Search for tickets online
- ALSA – Search for tickets online
Tickets can usually be purchased at the terminal or online through each bus company’s website (links above). Make sure you check the timetables ahead of time to plan your trip accordingly.
Some popular destinations in the Algarve served by these bus companies include:
| Destination | Bus Companies | Estimated Duration | Price Range (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faro | Rede Expressos, FlixBus, ALSA | 3h 25m – 3h 33m | €19 or more | Buses run hourly from Lisbon Oriente, with the earliest departure at 01:00 and the last at 22:30. |
| Portimão | MundialTurismo (via Rome2Rio), FlixBus | 3h 10m – 3h 15m | €16 or more | Buses from Lisboa Sete Rios to Portimao. The route covers 276 km. |
| Albufeira | Rede Expressos, FlixBus, ALSA | Not specified | From €9 | Price may vary based on booking in advance and/or travel times. |
That’s a wrap! 🎉 We hope you enjoy your time in Algarve and if you have any questions regarding the transportation (we know it sounds complicated!), reach us at hey(at)portugalbay.com and we will try to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best route for a coastal drive?
For a stunning coastal drive from Lisbon to Algarve, take the N125 or A22 route. You can make stops at picturesque towns like: Setúbal, Sines, Vila Nova de Milfontes and Odeceixe. These towns offer beautiful beaches and charming localities.
Are there direct trains available?
Yes, several direct trains operate from the Lisboa Entrecampos station to Faro. The Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services are available for this journey.
Is a day trip worth the time?
A day trip from Lisbon to Algarve can be quite hectic as the travel time alone is around 6 hours for a round trip. To properly enjoy the Algarve region, it’s recommended to spend at least a few days.
