Updated October 2026 • 9 min read
Five trains a day leave Lisbon Oriente for the Algarve, and none of them goes straight to Lagos. You ride an Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train south to Tunes, then switch to a regional train for the last 45 km to Lagos. The whole trip takes between 3 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours 11 minutes, and a standard second-class ticket costs about €24 to €26. Faro is easier: every one of those five trains runs to Faro without a change, in 3 hours to 3 hours 37 minutes.
This guide covers the timetable in force since July 19, 2026, fares, tickets, the Tunes connection and how the train compares with the bus and a rental car.
Is There a Direct Train from Lisbon to Lagos?
No. Long-distance trains from Lisbon run down the Linha do Sul to Tunes and then turn east toward Albufeira and Faro. Lagos sits on the western branch of the Linha do Algarve, so every journey from Lisbon to Lagos includes a change at Tunes.
The change is short and timed. Each Lisbon departure has a regional connection to Lagos at Tunes, between 5 and 30 minutes after arrival. You can buy one ticket for the whole journey from Lisbon to Lagos.
On July 19, 2026, Comboios de Portugal (CP) started running electric trains on the Algarve line after the electrification of the Tunes to Lagos section was finished. The new electric regional trains run straight from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, with no change in Faro, and CP says it will add more regional services at peak times. For travelers coming from Lisbon, the change at Tunes stays.
Lisbon to Lagos Train Schedule
These are the five daily connections from Lisbon Oriente to Lagos in the CP timetable valid since July 19, 2026. All run every day. Trains also stop at Entrecampos 8 minutes after leaving Oriente, which can be closer if you stay in central Lisbon.
| Leave Lisbon Oriente | Train to Tunes | Arrive Tunes | Leave Tunes | Arrive Lagos | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:23 | Alfa Pendular | 10:52 | 11:09 | 11:53 | 3 h 30 min |
| 10:02 | Intercidades | 13:00 | 13:15 | 14:13 | 4 h 11 min |
| 14:02 | Intercidades | 17:05 | 17:20 | 18:13 | 4 h 11 min |
| 17:23 | Alfa Pendular | 19:53 | 20:23 | 21:17 | 3 h 54 min |
| 18:32 | Intercidades | 21:32 | 21:37 | 22:28 | 3 h 56 min |
The 08:23 Alfa Pendular is the fastest option of the day. The 18:32 Intercidades has the tightest change at Tunes, only 5 minutes, so it is the one most exposed to a late arrival. CP's timetable notes that connections between trains are only guaranteed under normal operating conditions.
Timetables change, and CP publishes the current one on cp.pt and in the CP app. Check it again a few days before you travel.
Lagos to Lisbon Train Schedule
The return works the same way in reverse: a regional train from Lagos to Tunes, then a long-distance train to Lisbon.
| Leave Lagos | Arrive Tunes | Leave Tunes | Train to Lisbon | Arrive Lisbon Oriente | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:20 | 07:11 | 07:29 | Alfa Pendular | 10:05 | 3 h 45 min |
| 08:22 | 09:14 | 09:44 | Intercidades | 12:56 | 4 h 34 min |
| 13:22 | 14:14 | 14:44 | Intercidades | 17:56 | 4 h 34 min |
| 15:22 | 16:12 | 16:30 | Alfa Pendular | 19:05 | 3 h 43 min |
| 17:18 | 18:13 | 18:44 | Intercidades | 21:56 | 4 h 38 min |
If you have a flight home from Lisbon, the 06:20 departure from Lagos reaches Oriente at 10:05. Oriente is on the red metro line, which runs directly to Lisbon Airport.
Alfa Pendular or Intercidades?
Both are CP long-distance trains, and both take you to Tunes for the Lagos connection. The difference is speed and comfort.
The Alfa Pendular is CP's premium tilting train. Between Lisbon and the Algarve it skips the intermediate stations in the Alentejo, which is why it reaches Tunes in about 2.5 hours. The Intercidades stops at towns such as Grândola, Funcheira and Messines-Alte and takes about 3 hours to Tunes.
On both services seat reservation is mandatory, so your ticket comes with an assigned seat. Both have a café-bar car and free Wi-Fi. The Intercidades also carries bicycles, which the Alfa Pendular timetable does not list.
The regional train from Tunes to Lagos has no assigned seats. The ride takes 44 to 58 minutes and stops at Silves and Portimão on the way.
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If your Algarve base is Faro or Albufeira, the train is simpler. All five daily departures from Lisbon Oriente continue past Tunes to Albufeira-Ferreiras, Loulé and Faro on the same train.
| Leave Lisbon Oriente | Train | Albufeira-Ferreiras | Faro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:23 | Alfa Pendular | 11:05 | 11:27 |
| 10:02 | Intercidades | 13:09 | 13:31 |
| 14:02 | Intercidades | 17:13 | 17:39 |
| 17:23 | Alfa Pendular | 20:02 | 20:23 |
| 18:32 | Intercidades | 21:39 | 22:02 |
Lisbon to Faro takes 3 hours on the 17:23 Alfa Pendular and up to 3 hours 37 minutes on the Intercidades. The Albufeira-Ferreiras station is outside Albufeira itself, so plan a taxi or local bus into town or to your hotel.
From Faro you can also continue east by regional train to Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António, near the Spanish border.
Ticket Prices
CP prices the Lisbon to Lagos journey as a single through fare that includes the regional leg from Tunes. Standard fares in 2026:
| Lisbon to Lagos | Second class | First class |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Pendular + regional | €25.65 | €32.95 |
| Intercidades + regional | €24.15 | €30.10 |
The gap between the two trains is small, so for most travelers the Alfa Pendular is worth the extra €1.50 for the shorter journey.
Discounts can lower the fare further:
- Children pay 50%, and children under 4 travel free.
- Travelers aged 65 and over get 50% off.
- Travelers up to 25 years old get 25% off.
- A return ticket bought together saves about 10%.
- CP sells advance purchase fares on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades with discounts of up to 65%, subject to availability.
How to Buy Train Tickets
You can buy tickets on cp.pt, in the CP app or at the ticket offices of Lisbon stations such as Oriente, Entrecampos and Santa Apolónia. The advance purchase fares are sold online.
For travel between June and September, book one to two weeks ahead. Outside summer, booking early matters less, although advance fares are limited.
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Algarve trains start at Lisbon Oriente, in the Parque das Nações district, and stop at Entrecampos, Sete Rios and Pragal on the way out of the city, crossing the Tagus River on the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Santa Apolónia and Cais do Sodré do not have trains to the Algarve. If you arrive at Lisbon Airport, the red metro line takes you to Oriente without changing lines.
Changing Trains at Tunes
Tunes is a small station, and for most travelers its only role is the connection. Check the departure board before boarding: some regional trains from Tunes run east toward Faro, and you want the one heading west to Lagos via Silves and Portimão.
If your long-distance train runs late and you miss the connection, contact CP about the next train to Lagos. The last connection of the day leaves Tunes at 21:37.
Lagos Train Station
The Lagos station is east of the historic center, close to the marina. From there you can walk into the old town or take a taxi to your hotel.
More Algarve travel guides
Train, Bus or Car?
The train is the most comfortable way to reach the Algarve. To Lagos, a car is faster, and the direct bus takes about as long as most train connections.
| Lisbon to Lagos | Time | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 3 h 30 min to 4 h 11 min | From €24.15 | One change at Tunes, assigned seats on the long-distance leg |
| Rede Expressos bus | About 3 h 40 min | From €12 | Direct, usually from Sete Rios or Oriente |
| FlixBus | About 3 h 50 min | Can be under €7 booked early | Direct from Oriente, prices rise closer to the date |
| Rental car | Just under 3 h | Rental, fuel and A2 tolls | About 300 km on the A2 and A22 |
Buses to Lagos are direct and often cheaper, which makes them a strong choice for budget travelers. The train wins on legroom, the café-bar and a smoother ride.
A car makes sense if you plan to explore beyond the towns on the rail line, such as the beaches of the west coast or the Benagil caves. The A2 from Lisbon is a toll road. The A22 along the Algarve has been toll-free since January 1, 2025. One option is to combine both: take the train to the Algarve, then pick up a rental car in Lagos or Faro for a few days.
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Is there a direct train from Lisbon to Lagos?
No. All trains from Lisbon to Lagos require one change at Tunes, where a regional train continues west to Lagos. The connection is timed, and you can buy a single ticket for the whole trip.
How long is the train from Lisbon to the Algarve?
Lisbon to Faro takes 3 hours to 3 hours 37 minutes with no change. Lisbon to Lagos takes 3 hours 30 minutes on the fastest connection and up to 4 hours 11 minutes on the others, including the change at Tunes.
How far is the Algarve from Lisbon?
Lagos is about 300 km from Lisbon by road, just under 3 hours by car. By train it takes 3.5 to a little over 4 hours to Lagos and 3 to 3.5 hours to Faro.
How much is the train from Lisbon to Lagos?
Standard 2026 fares are €24.15 in second class on the Intercidades and €25.65 on the Alfa Pendular. First class costs €30.10 and €32.95. Advance purchase fares and age discounts can bring the price lower.
Which Lisbon station has trains to the Algarve?
Lisbon Oriente is the starting station, and trains also stop at Entrecampos, Sete Rios and Pragal. Santa Apolónia and Cais do Sodré have no trains to the Algarve.
Is the train or the bus better from Lisbon to Lagos?
The bus is direct and usually cheaper, with journeys of about 3 hours 40 minutes. The train takes a little longer because of the change at Tunes but offers assigned seats, more space and a café-bar on the long-distance leg.