Bus and train timetables for the Algarve - an unofficlal website

The Algarve region of Portugal - information on bus and train services

This is an unofficial website compiled by a resident of the Algarve. It has come about as a result of many enquiries in various forums. No responsibility can be accepted for any problems caused by errors or omissions. This site is not connected with, nor endorsed by, any official operator or organisation. I welcome any feedback, comments and suggestions. In all cases I strongly recommend that you check times locally at the bus terminal etc as timetable changes are usually made without prior warning!

All timetable pages carry the date on which I was last able to verify the times as being correct. I have used almost all the buses and trains myself.

BUS OPERATORS ELSEWHERE IN PORTUGAL
I have separated the information I have found about bus operators in other parts of Portugal to a new page.

NEWS and updates - latest - 23rd January 2012

ALGARVE BUS FARES INCREASING ON 1st FEBRUARY

Eva and Frota Azul bus fares are going up on the 1st February but, in typical style, the website announcement does not say by how much. I will update relevant information as soon as I can find out. This is the third fare increase in a year. Travel by bus here is no longer the bargain it once was, especially for short journeys and it's another nail in the coffin of public transport. The government wants people to use their cars all the time, paying the motorway tolls and high taxes in a desperate attempt to solve the budget crisis..

ALGARVE TRAIN FARES INCREASING

Local rail fares in the Algarve will be increasing by about 8% from 1st February. The justification is that all trains from that date will be operated by the newer, air conditioned, stock (see below) thus you pay more for better quality! New fares can be seen on the chart here. Train fares are still often cheaper than the bus for short journeys.

NO CATERING SERVICE ON INTERCITY TRAINS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Intending passengers please note that there is no on-board catering service on the Intercity trains between Faro and Lisbon until further notice. The contractor has gone bust.

NEW TRAINS COMING INTO SERVICE

Newer trains (picture, left) are now coming into service on the Algarve line. All trains will be of this type from 1st February.

These trains have push button doors and air conditioned interiors. However, as the picture to the right shows, bike users may have problems getting their mounts on and off the trains at the stations with low platforms as there is no proper step to the 'baggage' compartment. new_train_step

I took mine in through the passenger door and wheeled it down the train to the 'baggage' compartment at the end. There is NO step-free access into the carriages, therefore disabled persons may also find it very difficult to get on and off. Getting a wheelchair etc on or off is well-nigh impossible. Portugal ignores EU rules about such things. Se also this picture of unit 0462 on the low platform at Tavira.

IMPROVED BUS SERVICE BETWEEN FARO AND THE AIRPORT

The new and improved bus service between Faro and the airport would seem to be running all year. The first bus to the airport is now at 04.45 every day and the last bus back is at 23.15. However the service is still very irregular and there remains a two hour gap on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with no buses at all. Timetable here.

OUT OF DATE TIMETABLES AT BUS STATIONS ETC

On my recent journeys I have noticed that out of date timetables are posted at several of the bus stations etc. If the bus companies cannot be bothered then we have problems! I have used the most up to date versions where I can find them - the people at Lagos and Loulé are pretty good, not so good elsewhere. There are no timetables posted at Faro Bus Station!

THANK YOU

This site is being visited about 500 times a month. May I thank you for the positive comments and feedback I am receiving.

Contents - summary

For list of all the timetables on the site click here – BUT YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE GUIDANCE NOTES first as, at first sight, the operations here can seem a bit complicated.

An alphabetical list of all the places in the Algarve served by bus and train is here. The list below shows the most frequently consulted pages in the site.

www.algarvebus.info