Updated October 2026 • 6 min read
A rental car is the easiest way to get around the Algarve, since the best beaches, viewpoints and villages are spread along the coast. Without a car, the coastal train links Lagos, Portimão, Faro, Olhão and Tavira, and Vamus buses connect the resort towns, including Albufeira and Lagoa. Ferries reach the island beaches near Faro, Olhão and Tavira, and boat tours cover the sea caves. The A22 motorway along the coast has been toll-free since January 2025.
This guide compares every option and explains how to plan a trip without a car.
Ways to Get Around the Algarve at a Glance
| Option | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Beaches, viewpoints, Sagres, inland villages | Parking is hard in old towns in summer |
| Train | Lagos, Portimão, Faro, Olhão and Tavira | Some stations are outside town centers |
| Vamus bus | Resort towns such as Albufeira and Lagoa | Slower than the train or car between towns |
| Taxi and ride-hailing | Short trips, stations and evenings out | Adds up quickly over longer distances |
| Ferry | Island beaches of the Ria Formosa | Timetables vary by season |
| Tours with pick-up | Benagil, Sagres, Silves and Monchique | Fixed schedule |
Driving in the Algarve
A car gives you the most freedom. The A22 motorway, also called the Via do Infante, runs east to west from the Spanish border to the Lagos area, and the N125 road links the towns along the coast. The A22 has been toll-free since January 1, 2025, so you no longer need a toll transponder to drive along the Algarve. The A2 from Lisbon still has tolls.
- Pros: reach remote beaches, Sagres, Monchique and clifftop viewpoints at your own pace.
- Cons: parking near popular beaches and in old towns fills up in July and August, and old town streets are narrow.
Book your car early for summer, and choose a smaller car if you plan to drive into the old towns.
ALGARVE PACKAGE WITH CAR
Flights, hotel and a rental car in one booking, with the car ready to collect at Faro Airport.
See the fly and drive package →Car rental and driving
The Algarve Train
Comboios de Portugal (CP) runs the regional line along the coast from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, near the Spanish border. Since July 19, 2026, electric trains run the whole line without a change in Faro.
Main stations from west to east are Lagos, Portimão, Silves, Tunes, Albufeira-Ferreiras, Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António. Approximate journey times:
| Route | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Lagos to Portimão | Under 20 minutes |
| Lagos to Faro | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Faro to Olhão | About 10 minutes |
| Faro to Tavira | About 30 to 35 minutes |
| Faro to Vila Real de Santo António | About 1 hour |
- Pros: cheap, relaxed and no parking to worry about. Ideal for Lagos, Faro, Olhão and Tavira, where the station is close to the center.
- Cons: some stations are outside town, notably Albufeira-Ferreiras, about 6 km from Albufeira, and Loulé. Trains run roughly every one to two hours on most sections, so check the timetable on cp.pt or in the CP app.
Buses: Vamus Algarve
Vamus Algarve runs the regional bus network. Its main coastal route links Lagos and Faro, stopping at Portimão, Lagoa and Albufeira, and other lines connect smaller towns and beaches. The Aerobus links Faro Airport with Albufeira, Lagoa, Portimão and Lagos, with more departures in summer.
- Pros: reaches resort towns the train misses, such as Albufeira center, Lagoa and Carvoeiro.
- Cons: slower than driving, and some routes run less often in winter. Check current timetables on the Vamus website.
Taxis, Transfers and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in all main towns and at Faro Airport. Ride-hailing apps operate in the larger towns. They are convenient for short trips, getting from a station to your hotel or evenings out, but costs add up on longer journeys. For the airport, a pre-booked transfer is the simplest option.
Ferries and Boats
The island beaches of the Ria Formosa lagoon are reached by ferry: from Faro to Ilha Deserta and Ilha de Faro, from Olhão to Armona and Culatra, and from Tavira to Ilha de Tavira. Timetables change with the season, so check them locally. For the sea caves of Benagil and Ponta da Piedade, book a boat tour from Portimão, Albufeira or Lagos.
⛵ RIA FORMOSA ISLANDS BY BOAT
A boat trip from Olhão through the Ria Formosa lagoon to the beaches of Armona, Culatra and Praia Deserta.
See the boat tour →Cycling
The Ecovia do Litoral is a long-distance cycle route along the Algarve coast, and bike rental is available in the main resorts. Inland routes in the hills are hillier and quieter.
How to Get Around the Algarve Without a Car
A car-free trip works well if you plan around the train line:
- Choose a base on the railway: Lagos, Faro or Tavira, where the station is close to the center.
- Use buses for resort towns: Vamus buses reach Albufeira, Lagoa and Carvoeiro.
- Book tours with pick-up: for Sagres, Cape St. Vincent, Silves and Monchique.
- See the caves by boat: Benagil and Ponta da Piedade tours leave from Portimão, Albufeira and Lagos.
- Take taxis for the last stretch: from stations outside town or to beaches off the bus routes.
LAGOS AND CAPE ST. VINCENT DAY TOUR
A full-day tour of the western Algarve with Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, with pick-up between Quarteira and Praia da Luz.
See the day tour →More tours with pick-up and boat trips
Plan your trip
Plan it your way
Custom Your Trip
Tell our local travel advisors how you want to travel, by car or not, and we arrange hotels, transfers and tours around you.
Start your custom trip →Limited time
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Book now →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get around the Algarve?
A rental car is the most flexible way to explore. Without one, combine the coastal train, Vamus buses, taxis and tours with pick-up.
Can you get around the Algarve without a car?
Yes, especially if you stay in Lagos, Faro or Tavira, which have train stations near the center. Buses and tours cover most other places, but remote beaches are harder to reach.
Is there public transport in the Algarve?
Yes. CP runs the coastal train from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, and Vamus Algarve runs regional buses between the towns.
Are there tolls in the Algarve?
The A22 motorway along the Algarve has been toll-free since January 1, 2025. The A2 motorway from Lisbon still has tolls.
How do you get from Albufeira to Lagos?
By car on the A22 in under an hour. By public transport, take the Vamus bus or the train from Albufeira-Ferreiras station, which is outside town.
Is there Uber in the Algarve?
Ride-hailing apps operate in the larger towns, alongside regular taxis. Coverage is thinner in small villages and late at night.
