Portugal - Algarve - Bus Transport - Lisbon & Lagos - New Timetables - 1 June 2017

After many years,as from today, 1 June 2017, there have been big changes in the bus services operating between Lisbon, Portugal and Lagos in the Algarve Region of Southern Portugal

This article also applies to former RENEX services to the towns of Alvor, Portimão,Praia da Rocha, Lagoa, Armação da Pera.

As from today, RENEX Services have been merged with the services of the main national bus company Rede-expressos. 

Tickets on buses to the Algarve operated by EVA, RENEX and Rede-Expressos can now be bought online via the Rede-Expressos website:

http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ 

In Lagos, ALL bus services to Lisbon now depart from the main bus station just off the Avenida dos Descobrimentos.. 

RENEX Services continue to serve Lisbon Oriente Coach Station at Gare Oriente Railway Station, including the overnight services.



However, all services now call at Lisbon Sete Rios Coach Station first.


Links to extracts (pdf) from the new timetables valid from 1 June 2017 are shown below
(Disclaimer: Please check the bus company's online websites for latest timetables): 

Lisbon Sete-Rios <> Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Lisbon Oriente via Lisbon Sete-Rios <> Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Transport between Lisbon, Portugal and Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

There are three main modes of travel between Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and Lagos, the historic picturesque city located in the south-west Algarve region of Southern Portugal.

These are:

Road:

By Toll motorway, Lagos is 300km from Praça Marques de Pombal, in the centre of Lisbon.

The route via either the Ponte 25 de Abril or Vasco de Gama Bridge runs via the A2 and the A22 Via de Infante Algarve Backbone Motorway.

Lisbon - Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge

Transit time with stops is about 3hrs15mins. At the time of writing (September 2016), the estimated toll & fuel costs for a small compact car from Lisbon to Lagos are:

Total: 44.93 €  (source: viamichelin.pt )

Tolls 20.45 €,
Fuel 24.48 €.


There are alternatives non-toll coastal routes along the Alentejo coast.

Rail:

Alfa-Pendular at Tunes Junction

National Portuguese operator cp.pt operates 2 Alfa-Pendular Hi-speed express trains per day between Lisbon Gare Oriente, Lisbon Entrecampos atations and Tunes Junction where there are connecting local trains along the Algarve Line (linha de Algarve) to Lagos. Transit times are approximately 3 hrs.

cp.pt also operates 3 Intecidade Trains between Lisbon Sete Rios, Lisbon Gare Oriente, Lisbon Entrecampos stations and Tunes Junction where there are connecting local trains along the Algarve Line (linha de Algarve) to Lagos. Transit times are approximately 3hrs45mins to 4 hrs.

Changing trains at Tunes Junction usually occurs on on Platform 2/3.It is better to stay on this platform unless otherwise advised.



Prices at the time of  writing in September 2016 are:

Single 2nd Class - Alfa Pendular - Lisboa Entrecampos to Lagos - (One way) 22,70€
Single 2nd Class - Intercidade - Lisboa Entrecampos to Lagos - (One way)  21,70€

Latest timetables in pdf format can usually be downloaded here:

http://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/Passageiros/horarios/horarios/PDF/ap_ic/porto_lisboa_faro_lagos.pdf

Ticket can be booked online at cp.pt

Bus/Long distance Coach

There are two bus/long distance coach services between Lisbon and Lagos

a) rede-expressos.pt & eva-bus.com

These services depart from Lisbon Sete Rios Rodovíario (Bus Station) next to Sete Rios railway station and Metro Jardim Zoologíco (linha azul/blue line)

Eva Bus at Lisbon Setet Rios

The EVA bus departures are usually faster, taking +-3hrs45mins BUT there is no stop between Lisbon and Lagoa in the Algarve.


The Rede-Expressos buses take longer but there are usually stops en route.

There are upwards 12 daily services between the two locations. Additional Services operate at peak periods and high-season.

Timetables & online booking for both services can be found here:

http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Ticket prices vary dependent upon the service used but at the time of writing begin at €20.00 single one way.

b) renex.pt

RENEX.pt also operate bus services from Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station (Metro Gare Oriente - Linha vermelho - two stops from the airport) to Lagos. In Lagos, the buses leave from and arrive at the Renex office by the Repsol Service Station on the Avenida by the Muncipal Market.

Renex Bus at Lisbon Gare Oriente

However, these services take longer. Transit times are between 03hrs 45mins and 04hrs30mins. Buses stop once en route for refreshments. It may be necessary to change buses at the Renex Vale Paraiso bus station near Albufeira.

There are 7 daily services. Timetables can be downloaded here:

http://renex.pt/Files/Horarios_SUL.pdf

Unfortunately, it is not possible to to book this service online. Tickets can be purchased at the Renex Booking Offices in Lagos and at Gare Oriente.

Ticket prices vary dependent upon the service used but at the time of writing begin at €19.50 single one way.

In the writer's opinion, with over 19 buse services daily between Lisbon & Lagos, bus offers the best option for return day trips between the two centres.

If arriving at Lisbon Airport and travelling to Lagos for for a stay, the train or bus from Gare Oriente to/from Lagos is the most convenient as there Metro runs directly between the two. (Three stops)

It should also be born in mind that, often, there are no taxis at either Lagos Station or Lagos Bus Station. There are usually taxis available near by the stop for Renex.pt buses in Lagos.

Algarve,Portugal - N125 to be cut between Maritenda & Fontainhas for 9 weeks from 9 May, 2016

Algarve Portuguese online daily Sul Informação reports this morning that, in addition to the current ongoing "improvement" road works bedevilling the N125, the section that crosses the main Faro - Algarve rail line is to closed between next Monday, 9th May and 15th July 2016.

http://www.sulinformacao.pt/2016/05/en125-entre-maritenda-e-fontainhas-vai-ficar-cortada-ate-15-de-julho/

While the replacement of the road bridge over the rail line is no doubt needed, the complete lack of respect for locals and visitors shown by both the responsible authorities, Infraestruturas de Portugal and the contractors is breathtaking.

Neither Agency is issuing public warnings when works are to start, or be completed, and the local press appear to be dependent upon "leaks" for information.

At a minimum, there is need for the national Parliament(A Assembléia Nacional) to pass legislation requiring Infraestruturas de Portugal (a state agency), to fully divulge via the Press and Media, proposed works programmes, at least, 8 weeks in advance of project starts, (obviously with the exception of emergency works. )

There will be a diversion in place as detailed in the above article.

However, if anyone is planning on using the EN125 to get from Faro to Boliqueime and beyond in the next 2 months, be aware and perhaps be prepared to pay tolls and use the A22 Via de Infante Motorway. So be warned!.

Coaches between Porto Airport, Portugal & Ponte de Lima, Viana de Castelo,Ponte de Barca,Arcos de Valdevez

http://www.barquense.com/ operate 4 services daily on weekdays and 2 services daily at week-ends between Porto Airport and Ponte de Barca calling at Ponte de Lima, Viana de Castelo , and Arcos de Valdevez .

Timetable in pdf format here:

barquense.com/v2/…expresso-aeroporto.pdf

Portugal visto do Céu - Best of my flights in 2015 - 4K Ultra HD

A wonderful ten minute overflight by drone of the best of Portugal by Helder Gomes!



Spectacular!

Public Transport from Lisbon,Portugal to Santiago de Compostela,Spain

The current most direct route is by bus.

alsa.es operates a daily through bus service from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station as follows:

May 26 2016 -

Dep: 07:30 Lisboa Sete Rios

Arrive Santiago de Compostela 17:45 (+1hr Spanish Time)

By train one has to change at Porto and Vigo and can take longer.

By plane one has to fly to La Coruna and then bus or train from there.

Supermarket, Baixa/Chiado area, Lisbon, Portugal

Pingo Doce

R. 1º de Dezembro 81

1249-970 Lisboa

One road back from Praça do Rossio & near Rossio Train Station!

From Praça Marques de Pombal, Lisbon, Portugal to Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

From Praça Marques de Pombal, Lisbon,one has two simple options to get to Lagos in the Algarve.

1) By Train

Descend into the Metro station.

Take the Metro Line Amarelo(Yellow line) direction Odivelas.

Descend at the 4th stop Entrecampos.

From here one can catch all cp.pt south-bound trains to the Algarve.

(Both Alfa-Pendular & Intercidades)

They usually leave from Platform 4

Remember that one has to change at Tunes Junction (between 2hrs 20mins and 2hrs 50mins from Entrecampos ) for the connecting local Algarve Line train to Lagos. There have been recent reports that conductors have NOT been announcing Tunes prior to arrival, causing mayhem on occasion.

2) By Bus

Enter the Metro

Take the Metro Line Azul (Blue) in direction of Reboleira (new terminus as from 13th April,2016) and descend at the 4th stop Jardim Zoológico Metro Station. Follow the signs for Rodoviario. This bus station is also know as Sete Rios, as is the train station next door.

The bus service from Lisbon to Lagos from this station is jointly operated by rede-expressos.pt and eva-bus.com

The EVA bus departures are usually faster, taking +-3hrs45mins BUT there is no stop between Lisbon and Lagoa in the Algarve. 

The Rede-Expressos buses take longer but there are usually stops en route.

As mentioned above, RENEX.pt also operate bus services from Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station to Lagos. However, these services take longer and from Marques de Pombal it will also take longer to get to that bus station..

Public Transport to Lagos Zoo, Algarve,Portugal

How to get from Lagos to Zoolagos ( http://www.zoolagos.com/ ) by Public Transport.

There are buses but the current frequency is not that great.

At weekends only two buses per day.

On weekdays there are more services.

You need Onda Green Line 6 Lagos to Barão São João - timetable in pdf and in portuguese is here:

http://aonda.pt/downloads/rotas/35.pdf

The best downtown stop in Lagos is Portas do Portugal CTT (Opposite the MEO/PT building on the Avenida.)

There are departures at:

07:46

10:01

13:41

17:31

19:16

You descend at stop Medronhal - Zoo (norte).

Transit time is about 30 minutes.

There are return departures from stop Medronhal - Zoo (sul) at:

07:34

08:19

12:44

14:24

18:14

A couple of EVA Buses to Barao Sao Miguel go by the zoo.

See Cubsur's excellent site here for more info but be aware of the difference between summer and winter schedules!

http://www.algarvebus.info/033.htm 

Public transport from Obidos to Porto

There are no direct bus services between Obidos & Porto.

The current CP timetable show two daily connections by rail changing at Caldas da Rainha and Coimbra-B.

Departures as follows:

Dept Obidos: 11h03

Arr Porto Campanha: 14h39

Dept Obidos:16h03

Arr Porto Campanha: 20h35

More info is available from the Portuguese Railways website at cp.pt

The first two trains to Coimbra are regional trains and normally there are no reservations.

The Intercidades between Coimbra-B and Porto Campanha has to be booked.

Bus

This would mean getting a bus to Caldas, then to Coimbra, then Porto or back to Lisbon then onto Porto 

Two different companies are necessary with the first leg by local bus.

Personally, I would recommend the train option.