Lisbon to Algarve — Best Routes & Ways to Travel
Lisbon and Algarve, two of the finest and most popular destinations in Portugal, are located exactly 173 miles (280 km) apart. Depending on your chosen method of transportation, this journey can take several hours — and seem pretty intimidating! But just as with any other travel plan, it’s easy to travel from Lisbon to Algarve as long as you plan ahead.
What’s the Best Way to Travel From Lisbon to Algarve?
The train is generally considered the best way for travelers to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve in Southern Portugal, but you can also consider going by car, bus, or plane.
If you travel in your car or on a bus, you’ll likely have to go via the nearly 8-mile-long Vasco de Gama bridge, a fascinating but long-winded sight well known to travelers who have made this journey. If you’re driving yourself to the Algarve, you can also stay closer to the shore for a scenic route.
If you go by plane, the journey won’t be much faster, considering the transit to and from Lisbon Airport and then to and from Faro Airport — but it will be significantly more expensive.
Regardless of what route you choose to take from Lisbon to the Algarve, it’s sure to be a worthwhile journey. After you’ve enjoyed everything the capital city Lisbon offers, you may not think that there’s anything new to see in the Algarve. But there is!
Aside from its incredibly famous beaches, the Algarve has a beautiful climate and tempting culinary traditions that establish it as one of the most popular destinations for travelers to Portugal. After visiting the beaches, you can enjoy the culture of one of its 16 municipalities or explore the spectacular nature and cave formations in the wilderness surrounding the Algarve.
No matter what brings you to the Algarve, you won’t regret visiting this famous summer paradise.
Going From Lisbon To Algarve By Car
If you’re going from Lisbon to the Algarve by car, you can expect to spend around 3 hours traveling as long as there aren’t any unexpected traffic conditions.
Fortunately, the drive from Lisbon to the Algarve is easy to navigate and offers pleasant views. After leaving Lisbon, you must cross the lengthy Vasco de Gama bridge. That will then bring you along the A12 highway for around 6 miles (12km) before you get on the A2 highway for another 160 miles (257km) and arrive directly into the Algarve.
If you prefer a scenic route, taking a detour and going along the N120 will give you the best views for your journey. You can also go along the 25 April Bridge instead of the Vasco da Gama bridge if you prefer to avoid the 8-mile crossing.
Before departing, it’s important to note that Portugal has many toll roads and that not every toll road accepts cash. The route from Lisbon to the Algarve is mainly known to have expensive and frequent tolls. You should plan ahead and have a variety of payment methods available to you, ensuring that there aren’t any obstacles to your journey.
There are a lot of reasons to prefer going by car, despite some of the obstacles. If you’d like to take stops along the way and see attractions between the two cities, driving to the Algarve will offer you the flexibility necessary to make that possible.
For example, you can stop and sunbathe at the gorgeous beach at Ribeiro do Cavalo just outside of Lisbon. You can also continue further down along the shoreline to the Badoca Safari Park to see exotic animals like giraffes and mandrills.
Going From Lisbon To Algarve By Train
If you prefer to relax during your journey from Lisbon to the Algarve, going by train is a great option. It takes roughly the same amount of time as traveling by car, but without the stress and demands of driving.
Going by train is also very affordable since you only need to pay for a train ticket. They can conveniently be purchased in-person or online, and you can choose first- and second-class cars, each offering different prices and amenities. Unlike driving, you won’t need to worry about toll roads or gas when you travel by train.
Five trains are scheduled daily that go directly between the Entrecampos Station in Lisbon and the Faro Station in the Algarve. There are also two types: the fast train, known as Alfa Pendular (AP), and the slightly slower train, known as the Intercidades.
The Alfa Pendular (AP) goes between Lisbon and Faro twice daily, with two stops along the route located in Albufeira and Loulé. You can expect to spend 3 hours on this route.
If you take the Intercidades, which goes along the same route as the AP three times a day, you can expect the journey to take 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Suppose you prefer to go to a different destination in the Algarve. In that case, there are other routes you can take — but given the complexity of some of the route changes, it’s also worth considering taking a bus or other public transportation from Faro Station to your destination.
Aside from the Entrecampos station, you can also go through the Sete Rios station from Lisbon. And depending on which area in Algarve you wish to travel to, you can switch to a regional train that connects you to the cities around Algarve.
However, Faro is a great place to stop in for a day if you decide to take the simple route. The Faro train station is located at the heart of Faro’s historical center, so it’s an excellent opportunity to experience some of the city’s most famous cultural landmarks and attractions before you continue with the rest of your vacation.
And while it might take a bit of travel to get from Faro to your final destination, public transport is readily available, and local car rentals are very affordable.
Depending on your route, you should expect to pay 20 – 30 Euros for the journey.
Going From Lisbon To Algarve By Bus
If you’re sure you want to use public transportation from Lisbon to Algarve, going by bus is also a great option. Depending on your route, you can expect the journey to take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and the bus stops.
One of the nicest qualities about buses from Lisbon to Algarve is that they’re straightforward to access. Buses depart from the Lisbon Sete Rios Station once every hour, with several companies offering routes with different stops you can choose from according to your preferences.
All of the buses follow the same route, crossing the Vasco da Gama Bridge and then traveling along the A2 highway, so going by bus is a great way to enjoy the route’s scenery without worrying about driving.
One advantage of taking a bus to the Algarve over a train is that you can select a bus that goes directly to your destination, whether you intend to visit Albufeira, Lagos, or even Tavira. And given the comparable timing and low prices, there are many reasons to travel by bus.
You can purchase your bus tickets up to 30 days in advance online. Depending on the route, you can expect to pay 10 – 20 Euros for your ticket.
Going From Lisbon To Algarve By Plane
While going from Lisbon to Algarve by plane might seem like a great way to save time, there aren’t many distinct advantages to this route.
When you consider the amount of time spent traveling to and from the airport and going through all of the procedures necessary to board the plane, you won’t find that the difference in time between traveling by plane and traveling by bus or train is very significant.
What you will find, however, is that the price difference is significant!
While you can expect to pay between 10 and 30 Euros for public transportation from Lisbon to Faro, you will pay over 100 Euros for a plane ticket. You’ll also have to take public transportation when you arrive at Faro Airport to your destination, spending additional time and money without getting ahead.
Airplane travel is also significantly more restrictive of luggage and what you can bring on board. If you plan on purchasing many possessions along the journey, that only makes traveling by car, bus, or train even more appealing.
Booking a Tour From Lisbon to Algarve
Don’t feel like making the journey from Lisbon to the Algarve by yourself and want someone to show you the many sites and attractions? You can book a tour from Lisbon to the Algarve!
You can book a full-day, private tour for those who have limited time in the country and are just looking for a day trip, or a two-day tour for travelers who want the full experience of the Algarve (or as much as you can fit into two days!).
A sample Portugal itinerary of a one to two-day excursion from Lisbon to the Algarve may include exploring the fishing village of Santa Luzia, visiting the market in Olhão, touring the Lagos’ Church of St. Anthony, enjoying the stunning nature on the drive through the region, and seeing the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Algarve coast.
A tour from Lisbon to the Algarve will usually be taken via a tour bus, van, or luxury sedan and include free Wi-Fi.
Best Routes & Ways To Travel From Lisbon To Algarve: Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways to travel from Lisbon to Algarve, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Traveling by car will offer you the most control over your journey, but it’s also more expensive than traveling by train or bus. This is a great option if you’d like to take the scenic route or make many stops along the way.
Bus and train travel offers similar timing, but each has advantages and disadvantages. Traveling by bus is cheaper and will give you a more direct route to your destination. In contrast, train travel may have more complications but offers a significantly more refined and luxurious travel experience.
Traveling by plane doesn’t have any real advantages. Unless you’re electing to fly because of a specific personal circumstance, we can’t recommend this method of travel due to the high prices and lack of tangible benefits to the traveler.
Regardless of what route you choose to take from Lisbon to the Algarve, you’re sure to thank yourself for taking the journey. Whether you’ve decided to visit the region for its lush natural beauty or historic cities, you’ll adore this hidden gem of a summer paradise.
