How To Get From Lisbon to Faro: A Complete Guide
Traveling within Europe is truly spectacular. The good news? Most of Europe is incredibly accessible, whether by train, flights, or public transportation. I was especially blown away by how easy it was to travel within Portugal as a solo female traveler on my recent trip here!
After spending 3 weeks in Portugal, I wanted to share what I learned about travel within Portugal with you all, to ensure your trip is even more flawless! So in this article, we will be covering a very common route: Lisbon to Faro, so you can know all of your options for traveling from Portugal’s capital to the Algarve.
Overview of Lisbon to Faro Transportation
Before getting too far into the article, here is an overview of the best transportation options from Lisbon to Faro!
- Most convenient: Train
Deciding to take the train from Lisbon to Faro is the easiest and most convenient way. The journey takes approximately three hours and costs anywhere from $20-30. Of course, this depends on when you travel (peak season vs off-season) and what type of ticket you choose (First Class or Second Class.)
- Most flexible: Rent a car
The last option would be to rent a car. This option is far less convenient than the other two but it is an option if you’d prefer to get to Faro at your own pace. Renting a car in Lisbon starts at €10 but depending on your driving experience, age, and when you plan to rent the car, you could pay as much as $31 per day.
- Most affordable: Bus
The second option, which is a bit more budget-friendly is to take the bus. The cheapest route is offered via FlixBus and takes just three hours and fifteen minutes. Though not as comfortable as the train, the starting cost for a bus ticket is approximately $5. The bus journey is quite rough, so I’d save this for more seasoned travelers but it’s always an option for anyone looking to save a bit of money.
- Shortest travel time: Flight
Taking a flight from Lisbon to Faro takes only 45 minutes. This is by far the fastest way to get from one destination to the other, but if you consider time in an airport, it might actually not be as fast as taking the train or driving.
In Depth: Lisbon to Faro By Train
- Travel time: 3 to 3.5 hours
- Average cost: $20-30 (one way)
As mentioned above, this is one of the most convenient options. It’s also quite comfortable. The train system in Europe is much more developed than it is in the United States or Canada. Each train car has working Air Conditioning, USB outlets, and more.
There are also restaurants, restrooms, and workstations on board. Sounds fancy doesn’t it? If you plan to take the train from Lisbon, you’ll need to get to Santa Apolonia also known as Gare do Oriente, which is the biggest train station in Lisbon.
The Best Ways to Buy Your Tickets
You can buy tickets directly at the station via automated machines or through a teller. You can also purchase tickets online. Personally, I recommend purchasing tickets online. Sometimes, especially during peak travel season, it can get pretty hectic in the train station. Depending on how early you arrive, you may have to take the next train and wait at the station!
If you’re on a tight schedule this may not be the best option. I waited until the last minute to buy my tickets at the station, thinking there would be lots of space. I was definitely mistaken! I had to wait for the next train which was in 2 hours.
Once you’re on the train, the ride is smooth and very scenic. Have your camera ready to take pictures of the views from the train car!
Where to Purchase Your Tickets Online
Here are a few options in terms of purchasing your tickets online:
1. Comboios De Portugal
This is the best site to buy your tickets. The Comboios De Portugal is the official webpage of the train system in Portugal. Not only is it safe, but there won’t be any extra fees like there would be if you were booking through a third party.
On the Comboios De Portugal webpage, you can browse train times, and prices with the best accuracy. If you still plan to purchase your tickets in person, you can plan your train journey here, too.
2. Omio
I’ve used Omio countless times while traveling within Europe. Omio is a third-party site that offers bus, train, and flight tickets to anywhere within Europe. It is a safe site and provides great deals on train tickets.
They also have fantastic customer service. So if there is a problem with your booking, contacting them to have it resolved is a piece of cake. Though this site does charge extra fees.
Typically, I will use Omio if there isn’t an official site to buy tickets but if you feel more comfortable using Omio or you find it is a bit cheaper, by all means!
3. Rail Ninja
Rail Ninja is a great place to buy train tickets to and from practically anywhere. I’ve used them only once, from Lisbon to Porto. Like Omio, customer service is fantastic and they offer great prices.
Rail Ninja is also a great place to get information on train tickets. With Rail Ninja, you can see the quickest journey possible, the distance, the earliest departure, and the latest departure scheduled for your chosen day. It’s an easy way to plan.
In Depth: Lisbon to Faro by Car
- Travel time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Average cost: $12-50 per day
Traveling by car is also a very convenient way to get to Faro from Lisbon. It is technically more expensive (if you factor gas, and rent the car for multiple days) and if you don’t have experience driving in Europe, it can be difficult. There are a lot of factors you need to take into account when choosing to rent a car.
If you’re under the age of 25, you may pay extra fees due to potential risk. (I know, it’s kind of silly isn’t it?) Car rental companies need to protect themselves though and this is one way to do it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Portugal operates on the metric system. Say goodbye to “miles per hour” and hello to “kilometers per hour.” You will need to have a basic understanding of the road systems in Portugal since they vary quite a bit from the U.S.
However, even with all of this information in mind, renting a car is a great option if you’d like to travel at your own pace and take more of a scenic route. When you travel by car, you can make stops along the way, making it almost like a mini road trip.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends, this is going to be likely the most adventurous way there. If I wasn’t a solo traveler, I’d likely enjoy this option. Stopping at little fruit stands along the way or picking out unique Portuguese gas station snacks sounds pretty exciting if you ask me.
Where to Rent a Car
Here are a few trustworthy companies within Lisbon where you can rent a car:
1. Europcar
Europcar is one of the most popular places to rent a car in Portugal or Europe as a whole. They have over 3,800 locations worldwide.
Amoita is a local business that has just two locations. One in Lisbon and one in Faro. If you’d like to rent a car just one way, you can drop it off at the Faro location!
A local company, Rent A Car Lisbon is likely to have the cheapest rates. Be sure to check the age restrictions before reserving a car.
4. Avis
Avis is a worldwide car rental center. You’ve probably seen their booth in your local airport! Expect a wide selection of cars available!
The drive is approximately 2 hours, 50 minutes. You’re not saving a whole lot of time by driving but it’s the adventure that makes it count. As you make your way to Faro, you’re bound to stop in small towns and remote villages. Instead of driving directly down to Faro, why not enjoy the various activities available along the way?
In Depth: Lisbon to Faro by Bus
By far the most budget-friendly option, traveling by bus is one way to get from Lisbon to Faro. You can expect to pay around $5 for a one way. Like the European train system, the bus system is quite nice compared to the Americas.
You can expect USB outlets, AC, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seats. The journey is around 3 hours, which is the same amount of time you’d spend on the train. You may be asking yourself. Why not just bus it if buses and trains in Portugal are so similar?
The difference is TRAFFIC. Yep. Traffic is not something specific to America. The trains operate on train tracks, so you’re guaranteed to be there within 3 hours. Depending on when you choose your bus (avoid rush hour) you may not get there within 3 hours. So, if you’re on a tight schedule a bus may not be the right choice for you. Unless, of course, you’re feeling lucky.
Where to purchase bus tickets
Many companies offer bus tickets to and from Faro. Here is a list of some of the best bus options from Lisbon to Faro.
1. Flixbus
Out of all the bus companies available, I recommend FlixBus. I’ve used them throughout Europe, in about 20 European countries. Buses are clean, safe and have Wi-Fi.
Rede Expresso is a domestic bus company that only operates within Portugal. They have comfortable seats, AC, and USB outlets to charge all your devices!
ALSA is a Spanish bus line that offers a select number of routes within Portugal. Like Flixbus and Rede Expresso, offers comfortable, clean seats with many amenities such as Wi-Fi and charging outlets.
Where is the main bus station?
Many of these buses operate out of Station Sete Rios, which is the busiest bus station in Lisbon.
Do You Think You’re Ready For Faro?
Faro is an amazing place that is worth visiting, and now that you know how to get there, you should be more excited than ever! Faro is just one of the many places in Portugal that attracts thousands of tourists each year.
While in Faro, be sure to check out the 10 best things to do, including visiting one of the incredible beaches near Faro, visiting wineries in the Algarve, and taking a day trip to another town!
If you are still deciding between Faro or Lagos, I wrote a whole article comparing these two Algarve beach towns that I highly recommend you check out!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Days Should I Spend In Faro?
Ideally, aim for 4 – 6 days in Faro. If don’t have a lot of time, try to spend at least three days.
Does Faro have a local transportation system?
There is no metro system in Faro but there is a local bus system. The main bus station is just off Avenida da República.
Can I use my credit card in Faro?
Yes! It is best to use cash as some smaller businesses may not accept credit cards. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Portugal. However, at this time, American Express is not widely accepted.
Is Faro safe for solo female travelers?
YES! Solo travel is very common in Portugal! Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world for women.