How to get from Faro to Albufeira, transport guide
Wanting to know the best way to travel from Faro to Albufeira in Portugal?
Albufeira, located in the sunny Algarve region of Portugal has been a major tourist hotspot for several years. Partly due to it’s location, smack bang in the central Algarve, the stunning beaches in and around Albufeira and the vibrant nightlife has resulted in many holidaymakers flocking to this former fishing village, turned party hub.
If you are wondering how to get from Faro to Albufeira, or vice versa, then read my post below, as I outline all the various modes of transport available to you to complete this journey.
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- Click here to browse & book bus and train tickets
- Lastly, don’t forget about travel insurance for your trip!
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Where is Albufeira located
As already mentioned, Albufeira is located along the coast in the central Algarve region. The closest airport, Faro, is a 40-minute drive to the east.
The distance from Albufeira to Lagos, located in the western Algarve coast, is around 60 kilometres, also making it around 40-minutes driving time to reach.
To travel from Lisbon to Albufeira is around 260 kilometres and when travelling on the motorway, the journey time should last around two and a half hours.
Faro to Albufeira by Train
Journey Duration: Between 20 to 40 minutes
To travel from Faro to Albufeira can take anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes in travel time. The route is operated by the Portuguese national rail operator known as Comboios de Portugal (or CP for short).
CP offers different service types including the faster Alfa Pendular (abbreviated to AP) and the Intercidades (shown as IC) trains that take just over 20 minutes in journey time. The slower Regional trains (abbreviated to R) completes the journey in just over half an hour.
All of these trains can be booked online through the CP website, which usually allows advance bookings up to two months in advance.
Tip: You may also opt to download the CP mobile app from where you can view schedules and rates. The app also allows you to book tickets.
Faro Albufeira Train
The Faro to Albufeira train service offers daily departures that usually start running from early morning around 07:00 am and end in the early evening around 19:22 pm.
Depending on which train you book, the prices vary from €3.40 for a one-way journey on the Regional services compared to €9.55 on the Intercidades trains and €11.70 on the Alfa Pendular.
It is worth noting that both the Alfa Pendular and the Intercidades services do offer advance purchase discounts, whereby you can get up to 40% discounts on train tickets. Thus, making the price more comparable to the Regional trains.
Albufeira to Faro Train
Upon the return, the Albufeira Faro train route offers the same amount of departures, only at slightly different times.
Services start operating from 07:22 am in the mornings up until the last train departs at 21:39 pm at night.
Note: Please be sure to consult updated schedules and train tariffs when planning your trip. The information published in this post is accurate as at time of publication, but may have changed over the months as seasons and schedules change.
Train Stations
When travelling on the train from Faro to Albufeira (or vice versa), you’ll depart from Faro train station which is located in downtown Faro at Largo da Estação, 8000-133 Faro.
The Albufeira train station, known as Albufeira-Ferreira, is actually located a slight way out of the historic centre of Albufeira. It’s located roughly 7 – 8 kilometres from the city centre. The easiest way to get from the train station to the city centre would be to take a taxi or cab hailing service which should cost between €8 – €10.
Bus, Faro – Albufeira
Journey Duration: Between 55 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
The next option available by way of public transport is to make use of the Faro to Albufeira bus service that is operated by coach EVA Transportes.
Currently, EVA offers two service types, the Transrápido (express service) and the Carreiras Interurbanas service.
The express service buses take only 55 minutes to complete the journey between the two cities whereas the Interurbanas buses range between 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in journey time.
At the time of publication, a one-way ticket for the bus from Faro to Albufeira costs €4.95 per adult and a return ticket €9.90.
Faro to Albufeira by Bus
On the Faro Albufeira bus route, buses start departing from 06:30 am up until 19:40 pm. On weekends and holidays, services are reduced with fewer departures between both cities.
It’s best to consult the EVA Transportes website to view updated schedules and pricing when you’re planning your itinerary.
Bus: Albufeira – Faro
When returning, the Albufeira to Faro bus starts operating from 07:05 am until the last departure 19:30 pm at night.
Driving from Faro to Albufeira by Car
Journey Duration: Approximately 40 – 50 minutes
If you plan on exploring more of the Algarve region and prefer to have the flexibility and freedom to move around freely and without any restraints, then hiring a car for the duration of your stay may well be the best solution for you. With the distance from Faro to Albufeira being between 40 – 50 kilometres, the journey should take roughly 40 minutes if travelling on the fastest route via the A22 motorway. I must point out that most of the highways / motorways in Portugal are in fact tolled, so you would need to factor this in, especially if you are travelling on a tight budget. Throughout the Algarve you will also find alternative non-tolled national roads too.
Tip: When collecting your car rental, ask the rental agency about the option to add an electronic toll tag to your rental. Most agencies offer this service at an additional cost and will link your credit card to the electronic tag, meaning you can drive through all the toll gates and have the fees automatically deduct from your card. This is a hassle-free solution, even if it costs slightly more. Still need to book your car? Check car rental rates & availability here.
Transfers from Faro to Albufeira (including taxis) If you don’t want to hire a car but still prefer to travel by car instead of by other means of public transport, then why not consider booking a private transfer from Faro to Albufeira or even a taxi from Faro to Albufeira? Comparison websites such as Suntransfers allows you to search and book a private transfer based on your location and dates. At present, a Faro to Albufeira transfer for 2 adults from door to door would cost between €30 – €35.
You may also make use of a taxi service too. According to the Faro Airport website a Faro to Albufeira taxi could cost anywhere between €41 – €55 for up to 4 travellers, depending on the time of day and where you’re travelling to. Planning to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve? Read our comprehensive guide on the best ways to get from Lisbon to Faro.
Faro Airport to Albufeira
If you’re arriving straight into Faro Airport and plan on travelling directly from there to Albufeira, then the below options would be available to you.
The distance from Faro Airport to Albufeira is roughly 46.5 kilometres via the A22 highway. Thus, the journey should take you roughly 40 minutes or more, depending on the mode of transport.
Faro Airport Transfers to Albufeira
Similarly, to what I’ve already stated, you may opt to book transfers from Faro airport to Albufeira and this should cost around €30 – €35 for 2 adults travelling together.
Taxi from Faro Airport to Albufeira
A taxi service should also cost anywhere between €41 – €55 as already stated. You should be able to locate a taxi quite easily from the taxi rank outside the airport terminal building. The airport itself will have signs leading the way, or you may consult the information desk for more info on where to locate the taxi rank.
Bus from Faro Airport to Albufeira
Good news, you can travel directly from the airport on the Faro to Albufeira bus route, also operated by EVA Transportes. The service is a specific airport shuttle service, called Go Shuttle that connects Faro Airport to other parts of the Algarve, including Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos.
The Go Shuttle bus does operate a limited schedule with only 3 to 4 daily departures. A one-way ticket from Faro Airport to Albufeira costs €6.00.
For more info, visit the Go Shuttle site.
Where to stay
Still need to book your accommodation for Albufeira? Browse through all the available accommodation options based on your search dates.
Consult rates and availability for Albufeira accommodation options here.
Tours & Activities
With so many gorgeous beaches in and around Albufeira, the area is known for its abundance of water sports and outdoor activities. Consider booking a couple of these experiences to spice up your travel itinerary! Not a water sport enthusiast, no problem, there’s an array of other unique tours and experiences you could also book.
Browse all the available tours & activities in Albufeira here.
Related Posts:
How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira
Travelling from Lisbon to Faro