Bus and train timetables for the Algarve - an unofficlal website

The Algarve region of Portugal - information on bus and train services

This is an unofficial website compiled by a resident of the Algarve. It has come about as a result of many enquiries in various forums. No responsibility can be accepted for any problems caused by errors or omissions. This site is not connected with, nor endorsed by, any official operator or organisation. I welcome any feedback, comments and suggestions. In all cases I strongly recommend that you check times locally at the bus terminal etc as timetable changes are usually made without prior warning!

All timetable pages carry the date on which I was last able to verify the times as being correct. I have used almost all the buses and trains myself.

BUS OPERATORS ELSEWHERE IN PORTUGAL
I have separated the information I have found about bus operators in other parts of Portugal to a new page.

NEWS and updates - latest - 15th May 2013

STRIKES ON THE RAILWAYS OVER?

Strike action on the railways has been called off, at least for the time being. Hooray.

NEW BUS STATION FOR FARO

It was announced recently that a new bus station is to be built in Faro. It will be next to the existing building, on land currently used as parking area.
The project was expected to be complete by the end of May. As of 14th May no work has taken place..

I HAVE CREATED TIMETABLES THAT ARE EASIER TO PRINT

I have a lot more space on the new website host. This has allowed me to create files that will be easier to print. I have now converted all the pages. For a list of the printable timetables, please click here. Some printable timetables already exist on other sites so I have not duplicated them here. There are links where needed.

If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, adobe logo you can get it here.

NEW TRAINS IN SERVICE

Newer trains (picture, left) are now in service on the Algarve line. Most have already been vandalised by the local youth and are most uninviting to the visitor.

These trains have push button doors and air conditioned interiors. However, as the picture to the right shows, bike users may have problems getting their mounts on and off the trains at the stations with low platforms as there is no proper step to the 'baggage' compartment. new_train_step

I took mine in through the passenger door and wheeled it down the train to the 'baggage' compartment at the end. There is NO step-free access into the carriages, therefore disabled persons may also find it very difficult to get on and off. Getting a wheelchair etc on or off is well-nigh impossible. Portugal ignores EU rules about such things. See also this picture of unit 0462 on the low platform at Tavira.

A member of the regional council has recently written to the railways complaining vigorously about the the 'third world' state of most of the railway stations here. He is right. Do not expect anything even remotely like even the worst station in your home country. Most of the stops are unstaffed, have been heavily vandalised and basically left to fall into ruin. Do not expect even to see timetables posted, let alone any information about 'next train´.

BUS SERVICE BETWEEN FARO AND THE AIRPORT

The new and improved bus service between Faro Bus Station and the airport now runs all year. The first bus to the airport is now at 04.45 every day and the last bus back is at 23.15. Buses run once or twice every hour for most of the day on weekdays. However the service is still very irregular and there remain some long gaps on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays with no buses at all. Timetable here. There are no other public bus services at the airport.

OUT OF DATE TIMETABLES AT BUS STATIONS ETC

On my recent journeys I have noticed that out of date timetables are posted at several of the bus stations etc. If the bus companies cannot be bothered then we have problems! I have used the most up to date versions where I can find them - the people at Lagos and Portimâo are pretty good, not so good elsewhere. There are no timetables at all posted at Faro Bus Station!

THANK YOU

This site is being visited about 500 times a month. May I thank you for the positive comments and feedback I am receiving.

Contents - summary

For list of all the timetables on the site click here – BUT YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE GUIDANCE NOTES first as, at first sight, the operations here can seem a bit complicated.

An alphabetical list of all the places in the Algarve served by bus and train is here. The list below shows the most frequently consulted pages in the site.

www.algarvebus.info