Thursday 8 September 2016

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.