The SHOCKING truth about public transport in the ALGARVE, Portugal

Join João and Nick on an exploratory trip along the Algarve's public transport's routes. Find out how efficient the service is... I also include 7 tips on using the train in the Algarve.
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[@ogator8642]

My experience, although limited, was very different from Nick's. Compared to prices in North America, both buses and trains are very inexpensive and for seniors, even cheaper. I have taken the train from Lisbon to Albufeira 3 times. The train was always on time and the ride was pleasant. It is true that the train station outside Albufeira was a 9 Euro cab ride from the city. One time, the toilets on the train were horrible. One time I travelled from Faro to Porto and the train arrived two hours late. We stopped somewhere for two hours with no explanation. My experience with buses in the Algarve was also different from Nick's. The bus was on time, the bus was very comfortable and the price was very, very inexpensive. The Albufeira bus station was not conveniently located but the bus station in Quarteira is in the middle of the town and the bus stops on the street in Vilamoura in a very convenient location. Renting a car is much more convenient and fun. North Americans need to be able to drive a manual transmission and Brits should be reminded that you drive on the wrong side of the road. This can be a serious issue.

[@lucchese20]

Good comments. BTW when we visited South Africa, our tour guide told us driving occurs there (and in UK, NZ, Australia, India, etc.) on the “sensible side” of the road! 😁 It’s all a matter of what you’re used to! Cheers.

[@patriciavandevelde5469]

Salaries are 750 euros IF you find a job,rents are 800 euros+ bills so yes public transport is expensive! 5 euros to travel from olhao to faro by bus!!!!!

[@ogator8642]

@@patriciavandevelde5469 Your point is very well taken, but I did preface my remarks by saying, "Compared to prices in North America..."

[@Heisstrong]

Yes, I cringe when I see a Brit driving on the wrong side of the road! ha It makes me apprehensive and gives me anxiety! lol They probably do the same watching us drive in USA. Nice video Nick!

[@susanhighfield3370]

We live in Tavira, yesterday we went to Faro and back on the train we were lucky the trains were on time. Because we are over 60 years old show your passport and get half price travel, it was 3.30 Euros return, fantastic compared with the UK.

[@paulrumohr]

Taking one for the team! Your face while waiting for that train said it all, LOL

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hahah, when living here you need to be able to shrug sometimes, but generally the Lisbon train has been pretty good.

[@gary22223]

Anything is an upgrade on Irish bus timetables

[@janyshendrickson3833]

I think a lot of communities/regions etc in other well developed countries also have "Algarve style" public transportation issues. I live in the Niagara (Falls) Region in Ontario, Canada, a major tourist destination, and the train and bus service is only slightly better than your experience 😉 But your initial response of "everyone needs a car in the Algarve" is good advice. We vacation every winter in the Algarve, and we'd be lost without a car. Fun video, Nick, thank you 👍

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome Janys! Have a great week.

[@KathrineLoganYourRealtor]

We have had excellent experiences with the train in Algarve and up to Lisbon and Porto, but we've always purchased tickets online ahead of time. We've never had a train be more than a few minutes late. We have had an easy time using the bus within Portimão, but haven't done any long distance bus yet; when we do, will definitely buy those tickets in advance as well. Sorry you had a tough time this trip! Thanks for the research!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing Kat! Great to hear you haven't had any problems.

[@dramirez1154]

What site did you use to purchase your train tickets?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hey there, the only one I know is the official one www.cp.pt

[@michaelthatcher3825]

Totally agree with the Vlog nick; we had a train no-show just last week at Cacela but they did lay on a bus after 30 minutes or so had passed. Also for us OAPs, the train prices are about 50% less so while the service is unreliable it's a very cheap-poor-service! Also, as we live a long way from the airport, it can save us an expensive taxi fare if you have enough time to go by train/bus or short taxi from Faro.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That's good news, thanks for sharing Michael. 👍🏼

[@m.fender2989]

The Algarve train is not so bad imo and prices are really fair. I love Portugal and always enjoy your videos! Greetings from Germany

[@warrenshalm550]

Thanks Nick, I always enjoy your videos. We live in a town in Ontario that has a beautiful train station. They've got the prices so high now no one uses it and the train doesn't stop anymore. A trip like yours from our nearest station one way would be around $75 CDN (€50).

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Wow, that's crazy! 😲

[@robgilbert3395]

Ticket inspector on Lagos to Loule two weeks ago was in a bad mood. He humiliated a woman who's chihuahua didn't have a muzzle, and gave me a hard time because his scanner couldn't read the QR code on my phone. I think he was having a bad day, as that was the only really negative experience I had with CP.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yeah, to be fair most of the trips I've done up to Lisbon have been great. Thanks for sharing Rob 👍🏼

[@Sweet_Solos]

Can confirm Algarve's public transport is not the best. Back in college I remember waiting for buses that never came, and this would happen in Faro a supposed capital city.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@Heisstrong]

Love this video Nick! Great info. I would rent a car if I came to the Algarve and needed to get around, but use one of the trains for leisure time to enjoy the sights, without any time pressure. Cheers Nick!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That's the perfect way to do it. Train rides are fun enough if you don't have time pressure.

[@lilianapereira1868]

I'm from Algarve, not living there at the moment, and things are really like that. I came to spend a week to see family and friends, and I struggled to catch a train on bank holiday, the first train from Portimão to Lagos was only at around 10:20 am, and the last train at around 08:15pm. Would be better something like since 6am to 11h45pm at least to enjoy better the day and probably go to dinner in the city before return. Everybody knows about that, they complain, but nothing has changed for many years...

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks so much for sharing Liliana. Many people want to live here without a car, hence the video.

[@sidsidsidsid]

We caught the rattler from Faro to Portimao in April. Dated stations and facilities but cheap as chips. Enjoyed the experience, the train was quite busy. Had a couple of beers at the little station cafe at Faro. Little tip....don't use the toilets at Portimao, they are terrible.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing Wayne 👆🏼

[@Dmm108]

For me the incredibile thing is that in 2022 a train connection still doesn’t exist to cross over to Spain from the Algarve, up to a few decades ago, not even a bridge!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, it's been talked about for so long... I wonder if it will ever happen. Apparently it's not worth it?

[@MotoTavira]

Good info as always Nick! I think the next logical step would be a video on "Bringing vs Buying" a car to the Algarve. Cheers!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Cheers Chabu, I kind of dealt with that already on www.algarveaddicts.com/driving

[@kennymackie4518]

Thanks for the insights, travels to Portugal during Christmas 2022 leaving the States Christmas Eve arriving in Carvoeiro Portugal by 5 pm Christmas evening, by car hire from Faro airport. It’s very difficult to arrange transportation during the holidays leaving the 30th returning to the States also by car hire! I do have some bus #’s that operates in the Carvoeiro area! 🙏🏻

[@anagomes7725]

We have used the train from Tavira to Faro and so far the train has been on time, bus on other hand not so reliable, I agree with you.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Great, thanks for your feedback Ana. 👍🏼

[@miguelaraujo2116]

Nick's video is always amazing to watch 🎩👌

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Miguel👍🏼

[@AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp]

The bus services around Lagos and the Western Algarve are excellent. The trains are pretty good too. Lagos to Lisbon via Tunes is a reliable trip and cheap. No complaints here.

[@susanheasman3512]

We regularly use Algarve trains but always use the online timetable to plan our journey. It’s unbelievably cheap compared to UK prices and half the price of the buses ( even without the over 60 concession!) Some stations are a walk away from the towns and not all the stations have raised platforms- so beware if you’re not fit and agile! But I would highly recommend 😎🤷‍♀️

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing Susan 👍🏼

[@georgehill6726]

That train line is great, but sadly missing trains are not unusual. British OAPs get a substantial discount. Show your driving licence at the ticket office, or to the conductor.

[@tracyburton3458]

We spent our first few winters here without a car ... we walked everywhere or caught a train and thought the various villages/towns were great distances apart. Now we have a car we realise how small the Algarve actually is. Unfortunately, in Central Algarve the railways tend to be farther inland so train transport is not really viable unless you're happy to walk to the railway station (in our case about 8km each way!).

[@jeremybarlow2291]

Living in rural America, allow me to say, while you see that as a fail, I see it as a tremendous victory. There are trains and buses at reasonable prices that in fact provide service between towns at relatively routine intervals. In the US there simply are no trains or busses in rural areas at all.

[@Arginne]

Yep Ive lived in a rural american area without a car and it was so isolating

[@sehenswertes]

Nice Video. But when i recorded the cabride on the Algarve Line, the trains where on time

[@billqualls5451]

Excellent tips for using public transportation. Thank you!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for watching Bill👍🏼

[@meskita106]

I think embarrassing fact is that there’s no connection with Spain and the high speed lines that connect with the EU. In fact, the nearest station in Huelva was dismantled in the 90’s because there’s was no hope of connection to the Algarve. It just proves that Lisbon still needs to feel central in order to have a gravitational force on the country. #laufullcorruption

[@hankryan8164]

Nick, we use the trains a lot and while sometimes they run a bit late, our over 65 senior status means half price which a great bargain. From Olhao we travel to Faro and towards Antonio lots and with both of those stations located close to or in the center, that is hard to beat!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Great stuff Hank, thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@pkw5121]

What age for reduced fares - 60 or 65?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

65 plus get half price.

[@keithmills5254]

I've used the train from Lagos to Faro and Faro to Tavira. I never had an issue. Worst delay was 6 minutes. Also if you need to change to an earlier train after booking. You can do that at the stations free or charge.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Good to know. 👌🏼

[@alfredogama9791]

Nick I am in Lagos (Carvi Beach Hotel) until Tuesday. I’m here with my family on vacation from Canada. I watch all your videos you are the reason I came here on holidays and thinking about living in Algarve too. I keep telling my wife when I see some one on pedal board that is Nick lol. Keep up the good work Nick. And I am also from South Africa (Johannesburg)

[@kennymackie4518]

Heading to Carvoeiro Portugal Christmas week East of Faro about 45 miles. 😊

[@mikepetzold6357]

We are here now, first scouting the area to find a place to retire... in olhao now, headed to tivira tomorrow...

[@dramirez1154]

Is it necessary to buy in advance online, or can you buy the day you arrive at the station for that days travel and the next leg at that time also?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes you can do that for short trips. I'd advise you plan ahead for intercity trips though and buy online at www.cp.pt

[@bomcabedal]

I take the Faro to Silves pretty often. The walk to the town isn't that bad; about 20-25 minutes. Trains take about an hour to 1h15m. The length of the journey reflects the number of junctions and (hence) the possibility of delays. I don't worry too much about it usually, but with a lot of changes a 15-minute delay is not unusual.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@bomcabedal]

@@AlgarveAddicts Thanks for putting this video up. The lesson is that this is doable city-to-city, but further away, when you're dependent on the buses, it's much harder. I have to make do because I don't drive, but it can be inconvenient (or expensive because I have to use Bolt). And limiting in destinations, too - the bus from Silves to Carvoeiro is crap, therefore I don't go that often because it's either expensive or a lot of hassle.

[@maryharrington1008]

Hi Nick, really appreciate your videos. Lots of good information. I tried sending an email but it wouldn’t send “invalid address”. Has it changed?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Mary, no my email hasn't changed. You can use the contact form on my site. www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

[@davidhewson1234]

Have property near Odemira. Station great tiles, and waited and waited. Rode pushbike home. 2022 got electric bike!. No buses and no trains. 50 kms. Thank you. Portugal is gorgeous. David.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That sounds like a perfect solution!

[@juanjoportable]

Thanks for the video, I used the train before with a heavy eBike which was very hard to get onto the train bike part without help. I was actually just checking Vamus Algarve bus prices now and can only find the monthly pass cost for Faro Airport to Lagos, for example, not the single ticket price, for some reason, on the app. Any ideas?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I have zero ideas when it comes to those bus websites. They're a proper mess. Try www.algarvebus.info it's not pretty but it may give you a better idea.

[@juanjoportable]

@@AlgarveAddicts thanks, yes, checked that site, was helpful. I figured it out, you can topup on the app and use the app itself to pay with a QR code. There is also new buses since March and April 2022, one is a hop on hop off for tourist areas, there is also a very good one from the airport, going to the major cities, about 6 different times per day, also on weekends. I'll definitely use them.

[@debbiespears3312]

I got the train from Tavira and the station looked deserted. Eventually the train arrived.

[@johnburman966]

I live near Mertola, luck and hope are very important words in Portugal.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I love Mértola! Nice one John, I had lunch in Alcoutim today.

[@stermindelves4251]

Worth saying our experience of train reliability in Algarve was positive but we were on holiday so not time pressured.Ticket office’s all spoke good English as our Portuguese isn’t the best. Fuzeta water taxi was far less costly than the Faro one’s which are a rip off

[@josedc9916]

Once from lisbon to faro, we were stoped for 5 hours, but for security, due a big fire.....

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Wow, that's a whole different scenario. 😲

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

are there car rentals for 1-2 days in that area...?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, for sure. Check out www.airbnb.com

[@stevozrepto5558]

Bicycles ok but ask conductor which carriage Also Beware the train isn't at platform level at some stations so ubhave to lift your bike up a meter in a door Train travels very slowly and most are ancient

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing Stevo 😎👍🏼

[@josedc9916]

Is called the algarvian way of living.....no stress

[@lulaauciello4480]

Hi Nick, thank you so much for your videos, i am Portuguese native, grew up in Cape Town (SA) and now i have been in Italy for the past 20 years. i would love to move to Algarve with my kids and husband. I would like to open a Business in Portimao or around Faro. What would you recommend. We are into fashion Food and IT. Take Care

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Lula. That's a very difficult question to answer without some serious analysis. Jump on a call if you like www.algarveaddicts.com/chat

[@Solo50plus]

This look s like a pain. I just love the freedom and independence of a car...I couldn't live without it!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Me neither! 😊

[@almerindaromeira8352]

Well what do you expect. I live in Germany but my family is from the Algarve and I've lived there, so as in Lisbon. The public transport aka train service is the result of decades of incompetence and careless abandonment. After Portugal entered the EU there was a small economic boom where the standards of living increased leading to mass adoption of cars. Then came the highways. Suddenly all over Portugal the train ridership dropped and never recovered. The crazy thing regarding Algarve is that during summer its population increases to 3 million people, most of which come from other parts of Portugal and rent/ own 2nd houses there. These people do come with their cars and use them a lot. Rail investments are criticised for their costs and CP has no budget to even properly mainten their current assets. The problem was made worse because rail was not a political priority until a year or two ago. As far as the train service in Algarve goes: It's easy to grasp really. Some sections are single track, leading to long and very spaced wait times. The line is divided in Faro where for some reason you have to change trains to proceed into the other half of the region. The rolling stock is kinda bad, but it used to be worse 10 years ago. There is no ticketing so you just wait until you are approached by the conductor. They were always nice to me. Time schedules can be found online. I don't know if there is an app for that, but i get by just fine. Compared with Spain or any other country in Europe, the portuguese rail system is an authentic disgrace.

[@therocknrollcook]

Fab content. .Some of us just can't deal with owning a car. .Can one dwell there using bolt & Uber?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Depending on where you live, you could. I personally couldn't.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp]

Uber has arrived in the larger towns and offers a cheap and reliable service.

[@steveryan1815]

Nick, I usually like your vlogs, but this one was off-base. We take the train a good deal as well as the bus. The train's reliability could in fact be better, but hey, this is Portugal! There are many runs during the day, usually one per hour. And it's as good as any US train I've used. And your report on the bus was unfair. It doesn't run every hour, but it is very comfortable and pleasant, with great WiFi. As a car person, you can't draw conclusions about the public system based on one day's glimpse.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

But I reported exactly what happened to me. That's fair in my eyes, I didn't make any of this up.

[@rammalnabil274]

Hello I'd like to Ask you about good prices for renting appartement t2or t3 in east Algarve région Thanks

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Rammal, take a look at my blog www.algarveaddicts.com/rentals 👍🏼

[@MultiANTI]

Easy to find free parking in algarve ?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, free parking all over the place except in the center of the big towns like Faro and Lagos.

[@Bluemart856]

I was told taxi was cheap so I used it. I paid 12 euros from Olhos de agua to Vilamoura but 24 euros to come back for whatever reason... I wasn't sure about using an Uber as never used one before but next time I will! I saw also a Portuguese Uber version app called 1taxi which doesn't work took forever to sign up, seems really badly done.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I am not so keen on taxis for that very reason. Sometimes they just charge what they want...

[@Aria432]

Can you give me an average of a 3 bedroom house in the middle algarve region with a proximity about 20km from the beach?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Billy, check out www.idealista.pt for a rough indication of house prices.

[@MrBacus72]

Anything that depends of our great politicians is a shit because they only want to cash in and at the moment highway is the one that rents. Whenever you see a problem in Portugal that seems to never be solved, coruption is the main reason.

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

Those seats on the train look absolutely tiny.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

They're comfortable 👍🏼

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

@@AlgarveAddicts oh that´s good to hear...

[@michaelkevill3017]

How much was the Uber?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Ubers vary in price depending on the time. This video was a long time ago, sorry can't recall but you could look it up in the app

[@brandrange2288]

Very informational video! Bravo! Also you are the definition of DILF.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Well, thank you 😊

[@MartijnWismeijer]

I can't imagine not using the car 🚙 in the Algarve!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Me neither!

[@blooddrunk4320]

maninho vai a pe pela 125 doido chegas a lagos em meia duzia de luas confia

[@ahayatShah]

Sir how are you.. Any transport compny name or Web site plz send me.. I am looking driver job in portagal ... I am from uae dubai

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Sorry Shah, nothing comes to mind right now.

[@EnriqueLopez-lf8qm]

Maybe you didn't read the news that this is caused by the recent covid infection among train staff

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I did actually read that, but that news was written after I shot the video.

[@joaoramoscarvalho5670]

There are pros and cons in public transport in the ALGARVE, but was it really necessary to use capital letters for SHOCKING? After all, if you go to the Algarve to enjoy the slow pace of life, you reveal that you still think as a stressed-out Northern European! SHOCKING, I might say.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hahaha, you're right. Shocking of me to use that word in caps. 🤦🏽

[@stevebbuk]

People still have a right to a public service. There's a difference between sedate and indolent.

[@joaoramoscarvalho5670]

@@AlgarveAddicts I only wrote that because I know you've got a sense of humour! Enjoy life, enjoy the shocking Portuguese public transport!

[@joaoramoscarvalho5670]

@@stevebbuk Rephrase your statement, please. I want to understand whether I am sedated or simply indolent.

[@stevebbuk]

@@joaoramoscarvalho5670 I will pardon you for your ignorance of the English language as I assume English is not your mother tongue. Sedate does not mean sedated. The Portuguese train drivers who inconvenience passengers are indolent.

[@NYrender]

Public transportation looks like a third world country

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It's normally not bad at all actually. I think we hit it on a bad day. Real life experiences 😏

[@armandodossantos9535]

Vadim !! Why do you live in a third world country !!

[@NYrender]

@@armandodossantos9535 not yet, but thinking to move

[@fb1000000]

It's bad but that's an exaggeration...

[@NYrender]

@@fb1000000 NY subway is the fourth world, crime is through the roof. So there is a clear direction what could happen.