Alternatives to Faro airport and how to get to Algarve

The best way to travel to the Algarve is to fly directly to Faro airport, centrally located in the region. Despite the successive increase of routes and its frequency, sometimes it is not possible to purchase tickets for your travel dates. For this scenarios there are two alternatives to Faro Airport (FAO) to consider. They are Portela Airport (LIS) in Lisbon and San Pablo Airport (SVQ) in Seville. This article explains how to get to the Algarve from Lisbon and Seville airports.

Alternative airports
Alternative airports to Faro. Lisbon (280 km) and Seville (200 km) airports are the closest options.

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Alternative 1: Flying to Seville

Seville airport is located in the neighbour Spanish province of Andalusia, 150 km from the Algarve border and 200 Km from Faro, 225 km from Vilamoura, 240 km from Albufeira and 280 km from Lagos.

Having landed in Seville you can choose from the following ground transportation options to the Algarve:

Travelling by train from Seville to the Algarve

Presently there is no rail connection between the Spanish province of Andalusia and the Portuguese Algarve region. So, we put the train trip as an option to rule out.

Renting a car from Seville to the Algarve

Driving to the Algarve is an option to consider since there is the possibility of renting a car directly at Seville airport. The journey in Spanish territory is comfortable and fast through the toll-free highway A-49 / E-1, with direct connection to the Algarve.

Depending on your final destination, the journey within the Algarve may be made freely through the national road N125 or via motorway A22 with tolls. Once you cross the bridge over the Guadiana river and enter Portuguese territory, to your right you will find an information desk for tourists where you can pre-pay the tolls or simply ask for information about the Algarve.

To return the car rental, you can do it again in Seville airport or in another rent-a-car station. Multinational companies like Avis or Europcar allow the pick-up of vehicles at Seville airport and the drop off at Faro airport. For simulations and rental prices use our rent-a-car search engine.

Travelling by bus from Seville to the Algarve

Depending on the number of passengers and final destination, the bus ride from Seville to the Algarve can be an economic option. However, it is undoubtedly the most time consuming travel method, sometimes requiring transshipments and extra transport that may make this option more expensive at the end.

Buses making the connection between Seville and the Algarve leave from the Plaza de Armas station, located 15 km from the airport. To get there you can take a public taxi at the airport - price is around 20€, or the urban bus which is around 5€ per person.

Once at Plaza de Armas station you can buy bus tickets for several cities in Algarve. Depending on your final destination, you might need to take an extra urban bus. Information such as schedules, maps and routes are available at each station. Alternatively you can grab a taxi at the bus station.

Buses departing from Plaza de Armas station in Seville to the Algarve
Origin Destination Price Duration Arrival location
Seville Albufeira 20€ 4h 25m Alto dos Caliços
Seville Faro 20€ 3h 40m Avenida da República
Seville Lagoa 20€ 4h 45m Rua Jacinto Correia
Seville Lagos 21€ 5h 30m Largo Rossio de S.João
Seville Olhão 19€ 3h 20m Rua General Humberto Delgado
Seville Portimão 20€ 5h 00m Largo do Dique
Seville Tavira 19€ 2h 40m Rua dos Pelames
Seville Vila Real de Santo António 18€ 2h 25m Avenida da República

Travelling by taxi from Seville to the Algarve

It is the fastest option to travel between Seville and the Algarve. The major disadvantage is the price. However, the larger the group the cheaper it becomes. To avoid waiting in lines and time waist, you can book a private taxi transfer directly to your final destination in the Algarve. At the airport arrivals hall you will have a driver waiting for you.


Alternative 2: Flying to Lisbon

As an international hub, Lisbon airport is an excellent alternative and you will most certainly find a connection with your origin city. Lisbon stays 280 km from Faro, 260 km from Albufeira, 260 km from Vilamoura and 300 km from Lagos. Once in Lisbon you can choose from the following ground transportation options to the Algarve:

Travelling by train from Lisbon to the Algarve

The trains from Lisbon towards the Algarve depart from the Oriente station located 3.5 km from the airport. Getting to the train station is inexpensive and can be done by subway or taxi, both available directly from the airport.

Once at the Oriente station you can take the more frequent Intercities train or the high speed Alfa Pendular train. Both trains have only 4 stops in the Algarve - Tunes, Albufeira (Ferreiras), Loulé and Faro.

If you wish to travel to another city in the Algarve you will have to take a regional train afterwards. For western Algarve cities like Portimão and Lagos the train transfer is made at Tunes station. For eastern destinations like Olhão and Tavira the transfer takes place in Faro station.

Renting a car from Lisbon to the Algarve

Driving from Lisbon to the Algarve is an alternative to consider since there is the possibility of renting a car at Lisbon airport. The travel route between Lisbon and the Algarve can be made through the national road IC1 or via the A2 motorway with tolls. To simplify the process of toll payments, most car hire companies rent devices to control the use of motorways in Portugal, crediting the value associated with each use directly from the customer's credit card.

To return your car rental, you can do it again at Lisbon airport or in another rent-a-car station. Companies like Europcar and Hertz allow rental pick-ups at Lisbon airport and vehicle return at Faro airport. For car rental simulations use our car hire search engine.

Travelling by bus from Lisbon to the Algarve

Depending on the travel group size, taking a bus from Lisbon to the Algarve can be an economic alternative. However, it is undoubtedly the most time consuming option, requiring transshipments and extra transport that may cause the trip to be more expensive than initial planned.

The majority of buses making the connection between Lisbon and the Algarve leave from the Oriente station, just 3.5 km from Lisbon airport. You can get there via subway or taxi, both available directly from Lisbon airport.

At Oriente bus station you can buy tickets to the several Algarve cities. Depending on your final destination, you may have to take an extra urban bus or a public taxi.

Buses departing from Oriente station in Lisbon to the Algarve
Origin Destination Price Duration Frequency
Lisbon Albufeira 20€ 3h 00m Daily
Lisbon Aljezur 18.50€ 4h 30m Daily
Lisbon Almancil 20€ 3h 30m Daily
Lisbon Armação de Pêra 20€ 3h 15m Daily
Lisbon Carrapateira 18€ 4h 45m July 01 to September 15
Lisbon Castro Marim 19€ 4h 50m Daily
Lisbon Faro 20€ 3h 15m Daily
Lisbon Lagoa 20€ 3h 30m Daily
Lisbon Lagos 20€ 3h 45m Daily
Lisbon Loulé 20€ 3h 50m Daily
Lisbon Monte Gordo 20€ 4h 40m Daily
Lisbon Odeceixe 18€ 3h 20m Daily
Lisbon Olhão 20€ 3h 45m Daily
Lisbon Portimão 20€ 3h 10m Daily
Lisbon Praia da Rocha 20€ 3h 30m Daily
Lisbon Quarteira 20€ 4h 00m Daily
Lisbon Sagres 20€ 5h 10m July 01 to September 15
Lisbon São Bartolomeu de Messines 19€ 2h 50m Daily
Lisbon Silves 19€ 3h 15m Daily
Lisbon Tavira 20€ 4h 15m Daily
Lisbon Vila do Bispo 19€ 5h 00m July 01 to September 15
Lisbon Vila Real de Santo António 20€ 4h 45m Daily
Lisbon Vilamoura 20€ 3h 20m Daily

Travelling by taxi from Lisbon to the Algarve

Private taxis represent the fastest option to travel between Lisbon and the Algarve. The major disadvantage is the price. However, the larger the group the more cheaper and convenient becomes. To avoid queues and time wasting, you can book a private taxi transfer to the Algarve. A driver will be waiting for your party at the airport arrivals hall holding a sign with your name.