Getting Around the Algarve: Car, Train, Buses & Tours

by Portugal Getaways Team

July 17, 2026 • 8 min read

Getting around the Algarve, in short

Renting a car

For most visitors, a car is the best option, giving you the freedom to reach hidden beaches, clifftop viewpoints and inland villages at your own pace. The Algarve's roads are good, with the A22 (Via do Infante) running east to west across the region and the coastal N125 linking the towns. Book ahead in summer, and note the A22 uses electronic tolls, so make sure your rental has a transponder.

Getting around the Algarve without a car

You can visit the Algarve car-free, especially if you base yourself in a well-connected town like Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira or Faro and stick to the coastal corridor.

The coastal train

Comboios de Portugal (CP) runs a regional line along the Algarve coast, from Lagos in the west through Portimão, Albufeira (Ferreiras) and Faro to Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border. It is cheap and scenic, though some stations sit a little outside the town centres, so you may need a short taxi or bus to finish the journey.

Vamus buses

The region's main bus network, Vamus Algarve (formerly EVA), links the towns along the coast. The key route connects Lagos to Faro, stopping in Lagoa, Portimão and Albufeira, running roughly hourly and taking about 1.5 to 2 hours end to end. There are also airport buses from Faro. You can pay contactless, buy tickets at stations, or use a rechargeable Giro card for discounts, and timetables are on the Vamus website.

Point to point, for example Albufeira to Lagos

Between the main towns, the train and Vamus buses both work. Albufeira to Lagos, for instance, takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by bus or train. For remote beaches such as those near Benagil or Ponta da Piedade, there is little or no public transport, so a car, taxi or organised tour is the practical choice.

Taxis, transfers and ride-hailing

Taxis are available in all the main towns and are handy for the airport or short hops, though they get expensive over distance. Pre-booked private transfers are popular from Faro Airport to the resorts, and ride-hailing apps operate in some of the larger towns.

Guided tours and boat trips

If you would rather not plan the logistics, guided tours cover the highlights, and boat trips are the best way to see the coast, including the Benagil sea cave and the cliffs at Ponta da Piedade. These are a good fit for the sights that are hard to reach without a car.

Cycling

The Algarve is popular with cyclists, from relaxed rides along the coast and the Ecovia do Litoral to more challenging routes inland. Bike rental is widely available in the main resorts.

Frequently asked questions about getting around the Algarve

What is the best way to get around the Algarve? A rental car is the most flexible, as the best beaches and towns are spread out. Without a car, the coastal train and Vamus buses connect the main towns, backed up by taxis, transfers and tours.

Can you get around the Algarve without a car? Yes, especially along the coast. The CP train and Vamus buses link towns from Lagos to Faro and beyond. A car or tour helps for remote beaches and viewpoints with little public transport.

Is there a train in the Algarve? Yes. Comboios de Portugal runs a regional coastal line from Lagos through Portimão, Albufeira and Faro to Vila Real de Santo António. It is cheap and scenic, though some stations are outside the town centres.

How do you get from Albufeira to Lagos? By car it is about 45 minutes on the A22, and by Vamus bus or train it takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours along the coast.

Do you need a car in the Algarve? Not essential if you stay in a well-connected town and use the train, buses and the occasional taxi, but a car makes reaching hidden beaches and villages much easier.