Algarve by Train : how to visit Algarve without a car

Updated 2026

If you know me, you may be confused to see a guide on train travel in Portugal. Outside of Lisbon and Porto, I am a huge advocate for traveling by car in Portugal, especially Algarve. I love the freedom it gives me to explore without having to rely on public transport, which can be limited here in Portugal. 

Sometimes however, it’s nice to have a break from driving and to see the country at a slower pace; to look out the windows at the scenery, not only at the road ahead. I realise driving is not always an option whether that’s because you are unable to or you simply don’t want to drive while on holiday. So although I do love driving in Algarve, and indeed Portugal, I wanted to show you that it is still possible to explore without a car. I’ve used the train all over Portugal but in 2025 I took myself on a 5 day adventure to Algarve where I used nothing but trains and my own two feet. This guide is the result of that, mixed with previous knowledge of living in and traveling around Portugal.

Planning a trip to Portugal? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Travel Planning and Itinerary design by Candy. Olá! I’m an independent travel advisor living in Portugal (since 2016). I help people plan their dream trip to Portugal, Spain and Italy. You’re currently reading a post from my collection of travel guides. I also offer personal travel consultation and a bespoke itinerary service.

Why Travel around Algarve by Train

Between the main airports (Lisbon, Porto and Faro) the train service is frequent and reliable (although in all cases you  need to connect to the city first by metro, bus or other transport) making transport between the hubs relatively easy without a car. Once you stray away from this main line, train lines become more sparse and frequency drops. Trains also become older, and traveling on some lines can feel like you’ve gone back in time. Which, if you’re prepared for it, is actually kind of enjoyable! 

We live in such a fast paced time now that even on our holidays we find ourselves darting around from one place to the next with little focus on the journey. I’m a big fan of slow travel, but admittedly I often don’t travel that way anymore. The train is the perfect way to slow down and see the country at a slower pace, making you feel closer to the places you are visiting, and all the little-known places in between. Rediscovering the trains has been one of my favourite parts of travel in Portugal in 2025.

There are many pros to train travel in Portugal. There is actually something special (fascinating might be more apt) traveling around a country that isn’t your own by public transport. While it’s almost certain you won’t be the only foreigner or tourist using public transport, it’s likely you’ll be sharing journeys with locals too. 

Using public transport in a foreign country can sometimes feel like a sense of achievement. With so much dependence on our phones, it’s nice to use your brain sometimes.

In my opinion, the best reason to travel around Algarve by train is because it forces you to slow down and take in your surroundings. Sometimes this is missed when focusing on driving. Watching the world go by from a train window has a somewhat romantic element to it and Algarve is one of the regions in Portugal where this is completely possible.

How to Travel in Algarve by Train

In the sections below, I’ll guide you through traveling by train. Much of this information can be used to help you plan train travel around Portugal but some parts will be more specific to the Algarve region

How to use the train system in Portugal

You can book most journeys in advance on the website. Always use the official website www.cp.pt to make bookings, not a third party as they can’t always guarantee your tickets. 

Train times and tickets are usually available 2-3 months before the travel date. You can’t book them before this. Some trains you cannot book online, for example Lisbon >> Cascais. For these journeys buy your tickets directly at the station.

Tips for using the train system in Portugal

• There are two different trains in Portugal. AP (Alfa Pendular) and IC (Inter city). AP trains are high(er) speed, more comfortable and have more amenities. IPs are cheaper with less amenities and slower.
• Book more than 2 weeks in advance to access special prices for most journeys. This makes first class tickets extremely good value. Sometimes you can find journeys between Lisbon, Porto and Algarve, for as little as €12.
• First class is worth the extra, especially on IP lines.
• Trains can get fully booked in peak months so try to book in advance if you can. This also applies to Algarve in the summer.
• CP.PT has a great app which allows you to store your tickets and add them to your wallet on your phone.

Where can you Travel by train in Algarve

To reach Algarve by train you will be coming from Lisbon or Porto. If you are going to the East of the region (east of Faro) you can take a direct train from Porto or Lisbon all the way to Faro. From Faro you will change trains to go east to towns such as Olhão and Tavira. 

If you want to go west of Faro, as far as Lagos, you will need to change trains at Tunes. 

You can’t reach everywhere by train in Algarve but it does take you to all the main destinations of interest and some smaller towns along the way. In some cases you will need to connect from the train station to the centre of town.

Lagos

Lagos is one of the most popular destinations in Algarve and is reachable by train. The town is the further west you can go by train. To reach Lagos from Lisbon or Porto, take the train to Tunes, and then change trains to go to Lagos. 

Lagos Travel Guide

Ferragudo

Ferragudo is a smaller, lesser-known town in Algarve, close to Portimão and 20 mins from Lagos. Its pretty streets are framed by some great beaches. It is reachable by train but the train station is not in the centre of town so you will need to walk or take an Uber to the centre (4km).

Ferragudo Travel Guide

Faro

Faro is the capital of Algarve, and hosts the second busiest airport in Portugal. The airport is well connected so it is an entrance point to Portugal for many.  The city itself has some pretty historical parts but much of the city is rundown. It does have a fantastic island beach just a few minutes from the airport. Faro is a hub you can use to reach many places in Algarve (such as Tavira or Lagos) and also other parts of Portugal via bus or train.

There is a little secret gem offering for you below – the restaurant pictured below is one of the best places I’ve had the pleasure of eating Portuguese grilled chicken in Algarve. Don’t miss it!

Olhão

Just 10 minutes on the train from Faro, you can find the fishing town of Olhão. The town itself has developed a lot over the years but the farmer’s market is still one of the best in the country. Olhão can also be used as a springboard to explore the barrier islands of Ria Formosa Natural Park – a must visit during your trip to Algarve. 

Fuseta

One of my favourite little towns in Algarve. The small colourful fishing village of Fuseta (see also: Fuzeta) is right in the middle of Faro and Tavira on the train line. Its charming streets and cubist houses adorned with colourful tiles manage to hold onto authenticity despite being a popular holiday destination in the summer. 

Fuseta Travel Guide

Tavira

Aptly named one of the prettiest villages in Algarve, Tavira is a joy to visit year round.  The old town has a river, a castle and lots of nooks to explore. A wide range of restaurants to suit every taste and of course, access to some of the best beaches with the whitest sand you can imagine. It’s almost at the end of the train line (but not quite) and just a short hop from the Spanish border. 

Tavira Travel Guide

Places not accessible by Train in Algarve

Anywhere west of Lagos, including Sagres and the Costa Vicentina

The west coast of Algarve is not reachable by train. If you love the coast and want to escape the busier south coast beaches of Algarve, consider hiring a car to explore this part of the region.

How to Hire a Car in Portugal

Most of the interior of Algarve (north of the N125)

I consider interior Algarve, everything north of the N125. This part of the region has many smaller towns and villages but most are not accessible by train with exception to Alte. Use a car or rely on buses (not frequent) to explore this area.

ALGARVE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

ALGARVE VINEYARD | MORGADO DO QUINTÃO

Best Experiences Algarve by Train

Now that you know the locations you can visit by train you probably already have an idea of what types of experiences you can enjoy. Here is a run down of some of my favourite things to do in the Algarve region of Portugal, and which train station to stop at to enjoy them.

• Ria Formosa Natural Park (Faro or Olhão)
• Eat Octopus in Santa Luzia (Santa Luzia)
• Praia do Barril beach train (Luz)
• Olhão Saturday Market (Olhão)
• Ecovia do Litoral Cycling Route (Tavira)
• Ponta de Piedade (Lagos) for sunset 
• Watersports in Lagos (Lagos)

Algarve by bike and train

If you’re a keen cyclist, you’ll love to know that most trains in Portugal have a carriage suitable for bikes. I have personally taken my bike on a train all the way from Cascais to Lagos, 4 trains, all of which had a space to hang my bike. When booking longer distance trains such as Lisbon to Faro, select the bike option (its free) and it will automatically allocate you a seat in the same carriage as your bike if it is available.

Algarve without a Car

Using a car in Algarve give you the most freedom and choice when it comes to exploring but if a car is not an option for you then know that there are still ways to see the region and experience it meaningfully without one.

There we have it, Algarve by train. I hope this helps anyone wanting to explore Algarve without a car and inspired those of the hardcore road-trippers amongst us to consider another option to travel in the region. Happy planning!

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