train from Lisbon to Malaga

There is only one direct (night train) per day from Lisbon to Madrid. Timetable in pdf format here: http://bit.ly/c6QBEC From Madrid one can get a train to Malaga. See: http://renfe.es for more information. Click on "welcome" for english version.

Lisbon to Porto by Bus

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

1. Re: Porto to Lisbon, surely it can be cheaper? Nov 23, 2010, 5:23 PM Two bus operators on the route: http://www.renex.pt - Price € 18.00 per Adult one way http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ - Price € 18.00 per adult each way Returns may be should be slightly cheaper Edited: 5:24 pm, today Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Lagos, Algarve, Portugal to Ploesti, Romania

I have just arrived in Romania this morning to visit friends.

A synopsis of my route is as follows:

I left Lagos on Sunday morning by catching the 06:14 train from Meia Praia, (06:10  from Lagos) to Faro,

We arrived in Faro on time at 07:50.

I had a coffee and caught the 08:10 EVA bus to Seville Plaza das Armas Bus Station.

Arrived Seville 15 minutes early.

Bought a ticket for the 15:00 Socibus bus to Madrid Barajas Airport via Madrid Estacion del Sur.  This arrived at Madrid Barajas airport Terminal 1 at 21:50, 20 minutes late, owing to bad weather. There was a 15 minute stop at a service area just north of Bailen.

I then caught the 02:25 Wizzair flight from Madrid Barajas to Bucharest Baneasu, Flight arrived at Baneasu at 06:45, 15 minutes early.

It was a grey misty morning. Baneasu is not the world's most welcoming airport. Airside bus seats were filthy and the terminal arrivals area is very very small. Got through formalities and got my bags with no problem. There is a small hole in the wall currency change on the right as you press through to the street. I changed a few Euros just to have some RON on me. Then outside straight onto the street. Ambushed immediately by touts. Dealt with those with firm but polite No's!

Luckily, my friends met me and off we went to Ploesti, a 40km drive.

What I already like about Romania is the Buzz! I also like being able to have chicken and chips with a beer ta 08:00 in the morning after a long flight.

Some notes:

* Wizzair were fine. They are like a Ryanair of Eastern Europe. Clean Airbus 320's all less than 3 years old. The seat pitch is small which could be a problem for larger people.

* Madrid Barajas - That late at night, all the shops were closed BUT there is a all night eatery in Terminal 1. Expensive but good.

* Bucharest Baneasu Airport - If this is to be developed into a serious hub for Low Cost Operators bringing in tourists, it needs to be cleaned up! I know Romania seeks to boost its tourist industry and I also know that with the IMF in situ and the economy in dire straights, it is difficult to promote new infrastructure projects but this should be a biggy! A short term interim project with some new airside buses, a simple single storey 30 sq. metre industrial warehouse type prefab extension to the airside to handle incoming passengers (saw this done with the departures terminal at Harare Airport in Zimbabwe in the early 80's )and a taxi rank for licensed taxis at arrivals would improve enormously without being ridiculously expensive.

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Just arrived in Seville. Got the 06:14 from Meia Praia to Faro. Then 08:20 bus from Faro to Seville. Arrived 20 minutes early. Will catch 15:00 Socibus from Estacion Plaza das Armas to Madrid barajas Airport. Beautiful sunny day here in Seville. Sunday only Restaurants open. Sitting in Cafe das Indes just of C Julio Cesar. http://amplify.com/u/freh

Bus From Faro Airport via Faro for Seville Sun 19th Dec 2010

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Re: Bus From Faro Airport via Faro for Seville Sun 19th Dec 2010

You are arriving late in the day and will miss the last EVA/DAMAS Service from Faro to Seville. alsa.es operate a nighttime service. (At the time of writing their site is down for maintenance) Have a look here at the bottom of Cubsur's Portugal/Spain travel page: http://bit.ly/cVorPb There is a departure from Faro at 0145 arrive Seville Plaza das Armas at 0545. There are two buses on Sunday evening from Faro Airport to Faro town at 18:57, and 20:07. Otherwise it will have to be a taxi. Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Driving from France to the Algarve

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Re: driving through france to Portugal

Sorry to ask, but did you read these answers to your post about 10 days ago????

http://bit.ly/dn9huw

It is motorway all the way. It is true that the traffic between Bordeaux and Burgos can be a bit heavy by if you go at it steadily you should have not problem.

You should try to avoid routing around Paris as the traffic there is usually heavy.

I would suggest that you route Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux.

If you are departing from Salisbury I would suggest that you overnight on day one in Rouen or at a pinch Le Mans. Day 2 head for Burgos/Valladolid/Salamanca and then Day 3, the Algarve.

Bearing in mind it is winter and early evenings, you probably will not have much time for sightseeing, so you should try and find hotels as close to Motorway exits as possible.

Another tip! Fuel! Do not buy on the French Autoroutes! It is much more expensive. Around most large French towns, if you come of the Motorway at a major exit you will usually find a large hypermarket complex run by Carrefour/Intermarche/LeClercs/Auchan. Most of these have discount fuel outlets where prices can be up to 5 cents per litre cheaper than on the Motorway. Given that you will be paying tolls (know in France as Péage), it helps to save money. These shopping centres also host outlets like McD's or Quick where you can eat junk food more reasonably than in cafes etc.

If you do layover in the Burgos area, one hotel, I recently stayed at, about 5 minutes off the E80 motorway on the N120 road is the Hotel Camino de Santiago.

See: http://bit.ly/a8SXFN

We got a good internet deal there on the last trip in October. Be warned it is outside Burgos BUT easily accessible from the Motorway although the last 300 metres is a bit of a dog's breakfast as you have to slide into a slip road and then run along parallel to the N120.

There is a restaurant and cafe in the Hotel. It is very clean and the staff were very pleasant.

As you slide into the slip road to approach the Hotel, you will see on the right a taverna type place called the Hotel Restaurante Los Braseros. We walked there from the Hotel Camino de Santiago and had a great and very reasonable Tapas Supper at the Bar. Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Portugal General Strike pt2 24/11/10

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Re: Help Needed - Air Strikes Next Wednesday

Just read a report in Publico one of the Portuguese national dailys! It also reports that "major" hotels are likely to be badly hit during the General Strike. My advice that if you are in, coming to or leaving Portugal do not plan to travel next Wednesday and hunker down for the day. The main action will be in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra but expect full shutdowns of services throughout the country. As for Ryanair, as far as I can make out air traffic controllers are also on strike so I cannot see how Ryanair can operate, (unless the have gone into the ATC business now as well.) Eurocontrol, (which co-ordinates ATC's throughout Europe), reported via Twitter this morning that: "LATEST: Industrial action in Portugal expected to affect air traffic from 23 Nov 23.00 to 24 Nov 23.00 CET, more at http://ow.ly/3clsO" Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Portugal - General Strike - 24/11/10

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Re: Help Needed - Air Strikes Next Wednesday

Regrettably, you are probably stuck. It is not just an air strike, it is a full blown Euro-Zone French/Greek Style National Strike. 90% of the country will be down. The trains will be out, most local buses will be out and it is highly likely long-distance buses will be out as well! There are no long distance buses from Braga to Spain. Vigo would be your only alternative, but you would need to get to Porto to get the bus to Vigo if it is operating!!! The Spanish Company http://www.autna.es operates a daily weekday service from Porto Airport to Vigo at the following times: OPORTO, AEROPUERTO 9:45 12:45 16:45 19:45 Transit time takes about 3 hours. I am not hopeful though that this service will operate on Wednesday. Basically, despite your comments, be prepared to have to stay until Thursday. This strike has been written about on this Forum recently. Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Nah Nah Bar - Lagos Algarve Portugal

Just had another delicious real beef burger at the Nah-Nah-Bah. Lagos, Algarve. Portugal.

I don't know how Selmo and Raff do it!

See this google search for more: http://j.mp/bT02GX or http://goo.gl/TdoY2

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A definition of DARPA

Wonderful bit of prose from Lewis Page of www.theregister.co.uk describing DARPA, the US Govt.'s defence research outfit and parent of George Bush's "Interweb!"

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Transport from porto airport to santa combo dão

The last train connection between Porto Campanha and Santa Comba Dão on Friday, 19th November 2010 leaves at 18:47 and arrives at 21:17.

Note you will have to change twice and the total ticket price will be €30.45 (Full Fare). The Fare is high because one has to change twice and two sections are on Intercity Trains.

The full schedule is as follows:

Alfa Pendular/Intercity
Depart: Porto - Campanha: 18h47 Arrive: Aveiro 19h20

Regional:
Depart Aveiro:  19h47 Arrive: Pampilhosa 20h22

Intercity
Depart Pampilhosa 20h53 Arrive: Santa Comba Dão 21h17

Please note that this is the last connection of the day.

You will need to get the Metro Line E from Porto Airport in the direction of Éstadio de Dragão and descend at Campanha.

It should be just about doable. However, be aware that it will be Friday evening rush hour and you will need to buy a ticket.

For more information go to the Portuguese Railways website at
http://www.cp.pt and click on the Union flag on the top right hand corner for the english version.

What would happen if Ryanair was contracted to resolve the Irish Economic Crisis???

Just had a frighteningly horrible thought! What happens if in the end with this crisis, the Irish Government is told by the IMF to subcontract out the management and recovery of the Irish Economy on the open market.

Imagine if Ryanair bid and won the contract!

I can't bear to think! :))))

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transport from porto airport to Arganil

Answer to question on allexperts.com

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Algarve to Crete, Greece

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Re: Algave to Crete, Greece

Here is a list of airlines serving Crete: http://www.flights.creta-online.com/ I have checked Air Berlin for a through route from Faro but the flights do not tie up. You might want to check possible connections with the following airlines that serve Faro and Heraklion: Transavia via Rotterdam Germanwings TUI fly Easyjet Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Electronic Motorway Tolls - Portugal

Very useful article here on which motorways will and will not be affected by motorway tolls written by Vespuccio, Local expert for Portugal on Tripadvisor.com Portugal Forums. (Original Thread here: http://j.mp/aSy5yF)

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Electronic Tolls - Motorways - Portugal

Post on TripAdvisor Portugal Forum following article in today's Portuguese national daily "Publico"

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Wizzair - International telephone numbers

I am flying shortly from Madrid to Bucharest. As I booked the flight online outside of a country to which Wizzair flies, I could not call any of the freephone numbers quoted. I searched the web and found this very useful list. I called the Hungarian number, pressed 2 and got through to an english speaking operator who very efficiently dealt with my enquiry. Using Skype it worked out cheaper than using a directline number had I been in a country where Wizzair flies.

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Parking in Lisbon - Pt. 2

Additional comment to earlier post.

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The Algarve will loose 140 000 tourists till March 2011

I am in total agreement with this article, particularly the second last paragraph.

Estou completamente em acordo com os sentimentos evocadas neste artigo, particularmente o penûltimato parágrafo sobre o metódo do pagamentos do portagems no A22.

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The Theory of Woof!

Canine Social Contribution to Workplace dynamics and increased productivity!

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Parking in Lisbon

A wee comment about the perils that await the uninitiated in driving from the Algarve to Lisbon, Portugal

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Thinking of hiring a car from Lagos and getting the train from Faro

Reply to a question on tripadvisor.com

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Tolls on the A22 Via de Infante Algarve Motorway

Article from yesterday's Algarve Resident. The Portuguese Govt. has unfortunately made a complete absolute mess of planning for introducing tolls.

The likely impact on tourism in the Algarve in 2011 will be substantial and the revenue desired by the Govt. will not be raised,

Tolls may be necessary. However, price them reasonably and employ some of the 300 workers recently laid-off by GroundForce at Faro Airport to collect them instead of using electronics.

##
Um artigo publicada na edicição do Algarve Resident de ontem! Infelizmente, o governo tem feito uma bagunça completa e absoluta no planeamento para a introdução de portagens. O provável impacto sobre o turismo no Algarve em 2011 será muito negativa e substancial e as receitas procurada pelo Governo não serão cumpridas.

Os portagens podem ser necessários por causa da Crise. No entanto, porque não aplicam-se preços razoáveis e, no memso tempo, dar emprego aos cerca de 300 trabalhadores recém-demitidos pela Groundforce no Aeroporto de Faro para recolhê os portagens ao invés de usar a sistema eletrônica.
##

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Algarve Tourism Trends - Oct. 2010

Barlavento occupancy levels down. Start of a trend that will worsen when tools come in on the A22 Via de Infante???? (Source: www.theportugalnews.com)

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Lagos, Algarve - Avenida Closed/Encerrado 12/13 Novembro

Clipped from www.barlavento.pt

a Avenida dos Descobrimentos em Lagos A Avenida dos Descobrimentos, em Lagos, vai ser encerrada momentaneamente ao trânsito, nos dias 12 e 13, devido ao Festival dos Descobrimentos e à Celebração dos 550 Anos Sobre a Morte do Infante D. Henrique.

Assim, na sexta-feira, dia 12, o trânsito será encerrado, entre os CTT e a Rotunda D. João II, das 14h00 às 16h00, em virtude da realização do Cortejo Histórico integrado no VI Festival dos Descobrimentos. No sábado, dia 13, esta medida, que terá efeitos no período da manhã (das 10h00 às 12h00) e no período da tarde (das 14h00 às 17h30), aplica-se ao troço entre o Edifício dos CTT/Portugal Telecom e a Fortaleza Ponta da Bandeira, abrangendo os dois sentidos de circulação automóvel. Assim, das 10h00 às 12h00, o trânsito no sentido Sul/Norte será condicionado no cruzamento junto ao Quartel dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos. Haverá apenas exceções para acesso de viaturas ligeiras, para abastecimento de combustível, à bomba da BP, acesso ao Clube de Vela, e acesso ao Parque de Estacionamento do Chão Queimado. A sinalização será reforçada com barreira física e policiamento junto à Bomba da BP, indicando o retorno. Entre as 14h00 e as 17h30, o trânsito no sentido Sul/Norte será encerrado no cruzamento do Quartel dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos. Em ambos os períodos, no sentido inverso (Norte/Sul) o trânsito será condicionado junto ao Edifício da PT/Táxis e encerrado a seguir à saída do Parque de Estacionamento Coberto, com barreira física e policiamento, devendo aí efetuar-se o retorno. Nestes períodos será garantido o acesso ao Parque de Estacionamento da Frente Ribeirinha, cuja utilização será gratuita das 14h30 às 19h00 de sábado. O percurso de acesso ao Hospital (de manhã e à tarde) deverá processar-se pela Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários/Rua 5 de Outubro/Rua Dr. Mendonça / Rua do Jardim, com saída pela Rua Dr. Júlio Dantas. Serão também alterados os circuitos dos transportes públicos, designadamente das linhas 1 e 4 d’A Onda, bem como das carreiras com destino a Vila do Bispo/Sagres, devendo os passageiros informar-se mais pormenorizadamente sobre os trajetos e paragens junto do Terminal Rodoviário. 11 de Novembro de 2010 | 12:48 Read more at www.barlavento.pt

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Hmmm!! **NEW** GENERAL MANAGER - €30,000-€35,000pa - ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

Very Interesting. Especially as the dolphins don't make anything!

Muito Interessante. Especialmente porque os golfinhos não ganham nada!

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BBC News - UK tourists shunning the cost of the eurozone

Very interesting article about the future prospects in the UK tourism market for the Portuguese and Spanish Tourism Industries based on reaction at World Travel Market 2010. This does not bode well. See link below

Um artigo Muito interessante sobre as futuras perspectivas no mercado de turismo do Reino Unido para os sectores do Turismo em ambos Portugal e Espanha baseadas em reações na World Travel Market 2010. Isto não augura nada de bom. Veja o link abaixo

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NahNahBah, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Great news! Earlier this year our very own NahNahBah, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal was awarded a spot in the "International Cow: 50 of the Most Amazing Burger Joints in the World". See: http://j.mp/9iOP6U You can find the NahNahBar details here: http://j.mp/cQlRy3. Well done Selmo! http://amplify.com/u/exab

Smart Mobile Phones - The Future of Travel Web Marketing

I have been feeling for a while now that the future of marketing Travel Products on the web will move more and more to mobile devices. Traditional websites will continue to be important especially to the over-45 group but travel businesses rapidly need to take account of the ever evolving nature of the web.

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Algarve, Portugal to Gibraltar

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

Portugal to Gibraltar

There are no flights, trains or buses that operate directly between Faro and Gibraltar. You have to route via Seville, Spain and the only options are car and bus. There are twice daily buses on weekdays year round from Faro to Seville. From Seville you can then get another bus to La Linea. where one can cross the border to Gib. See the following sites for info: Cubsur's excellent site for Faro to Seville Timetables at: thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm and T.G. Comes Timetables http://j.mp/bAcndR Note you will have to change bus terminals in Seville between Estacion Plaza das Armas and Prado. Use the local Local C4 Bus. Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Nah-Nah-Bah, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal Top 50 Hamburger Joints

Would you believe it! I would! Our own Nah Nah Bar run by Selmo Ribeiro here in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal got listed in an article "International Cow: 50 of the Most Amazing Burger Joints in the World"! on matadornetwork.com

Full article here: http://j.mp/9iOP6U

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Lagos,Algarve - Gift Shops

Lagos,Algarve - Gift Shops

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Lagos, Algarve - Restaurants - New Year 2010/2011

Two restaurants open on 31st December 2010 in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

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Driving from Calais to Algarve

Suggested Hotels on the route from Calais, France to the Algarve region of Portugal.

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Faro Airport, Algarve to Boavista, Lagos, Algarve

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

If you are used to an automatic shift, don't forget to specify it you are not used to a manual shift. As far as I am concerned there is not problem driving over here, just that the steering wheel and lane are on the opposite side. Just to make things more interesting, I usually drive a UK built RHD car over here! :)) Faro is a medium sized airport and as you are coming in December, traffic will be moderate. If you take the A22 Via da Infante Motorway from near Faro to Lagos, come of at exit 1, follow the exit road for 8km, turn right onto the EN 125 (direction Sagres/VIla de Bispo) at the 2nd roundabout and BoaVista is about 1km further on on the right. See also this old post on my blog which may help as well: http://j.mp/civJds

Re: Public Transport in and around Lagos Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Zoomarine - Algarve - Closed for Winter

Sad news! Although I hope that the Dolphins and Seals will have a holiday as well! :))

http://www.zoomarine.pt

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Algarve Railway Line - Delays this week

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

“ Algarve Railway Line - Delays this week ” Nov 08, 2010, 5:14 AM Following a derailment on the old stretch of railway line near Alcacer do Sal, all trains from Lisbon to the Algarve are being routed via the 29km stretch of new line which bypasses Alcacer and will from the New Year cut the time of transit to the Algarve by 15mins. As the new stretch has not yet received full safety approval, speeds are restricted to 60km per hour at present, resulting in delays of up to 30 minutes on trains from the Algarve to Lisbon and v.v Article here (In Portuguese) - http://tinyurl.com/3xskq8w Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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Allexperts.com - Posts on Portugal by Barlaventoexpert

Allexperts.com - Posts on Portugal by Barlaventoexpert http://amplify.com/u/es2o

Buses - Lagos. Algarve, Portugal to Boa Vista Resort

Reply to a question on Tripadvisor Portugal Forums.

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Why a Penguin? - Linux - The Logo

For all of you out there who wonder why the Linux Logo is a penguin! :)))

Yes, I am a dedicated Ubuntu Linux user!

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Internatiional Airlines serving Rio do Janeiro, Brazil

November 2010

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TripAdvisor.com - Seville Forum - Faro to Seville 1 way car rental

Clipped from www.tripadvisor.com

4. Re: Faro to Seville 1 way car rental? Nov 03, 2010, 5:37 AM Destination Expert for Lagos Thomas, you beat me to it! Just one thing though - http://www.lagoscarhire.com/ - does not do one way rentals Faro to Seville, one returns. http://iberiacarhire.com/ is the only one that does one way. Read more at www.tripadvisor.com

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NOTE: UNFORTUNATELY, OWING TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS THIS SERVICE NO LONGER APPEARs AVAILABLE! (Ed. 2013)

One way car hire between Spain and Portugal

Clipped from www.lonelyplanet.com

There is one company with a base at Faro Airport in the Algarve, that does reasonable one - way car hire into Spain. I had a look at their site and they do have a depot at Valencia Airport. Please see: http://iberiacarhire.com/Read more at www.lonelyplanet.com

 

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Trip to Portugal and the Algarve

I find your comment about trains between Lisbon and the Algarve - "there no none when I was last there" strange as the railway line between the two was built in the 1880's and has carried at least 4 passenger trains a day between the two over the past 15 years.

I have published an extract of the current train timetable between Lisbon and Faro here:

See: http://amplify.com/u/ehhy

I have published an extract of the current Algarve Line weekday train timetable here:

http://amplify.com/u/ehi6

If you want to explore the region between Lisbon and the Algarve the only real way to do it is by car. The train trip is great and you will see some great countryside but you will not see the whole expanse of the region.

As regards staying in the Algarve and travelling to Spain, it is likely the electronically collected tolls will be introduced on the Algarve Arterial Motorway before May 2010. It is not clear yet how these are to be collected from visitors as there will be no toll booths. However, it will add to the cost of travelling into Spain.

The car hire company in the Algarve I would normally recommend is Luzcar. You can find their offers here:

http://www.lagoscarhire.com/

The problem is that they are based in Lagos in the Western end of the Algarve, (end of the Algarve Rail line). Remember to specify an automatic if you are not comfortable with manual shift. You will pay a premium however. Most European hire cars are manual shift.

However, Lagos is one of the nicest towns in the Algarve with great beaches and with the opportunity to also explore the region towards Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, the most south-westerly point of Europe.  

If you intend taking a hire car in Lisbon or the Algarve and delivering it back to Lisbon, I recommend Auto Jardim - see: http://www.autocarhire.net.

Remember in all cases to stipulate that you want to take the car to Spain. There should be no problem, but it may be necessary to pay a small extra charge.

As regards hotels, have a look at the Vila Galé, Meia Praia, Lagos, the Yellow Hotel, Lagos, the Vila Galé Tavira near Tavira and the Martinhal Resort Hotel in Sagres.

Nov. 2010 - Train Timetable - Algarve Line Portugal

Current weekday train timetable between Vila Real Sta. Antonio and Lagos in the Algarve, Portugal.

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Nov. 2010 - Train Timetable - Lisbon/Faro

Extract of the current www.cp.pt train timetable between Lisbon and Faro, Algarve in Portugal

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Driving Santander, Spain to the Algarve

Clipped from barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

Santander, Spain to the Algarve Did the run from Lagos through Spain (100km from Santander) to Brittany, then Limoges region and then back to Lagos in the Algarve, a couple of weeks ago. 5000km in 10 days. Aaargh! Have done this run several times in recent years, on me tod and with the other half who is an excellent co-driver. If both of you drive Santander to the Algarve should be doable in +-11hrs. (Stops included) We ran back from Le Moggies and overnighted in Northen Spain just outside Burgos. The next day we ran the full way back to Lagos in about 10hrs 30 mins - Both of us driving. I have done the run from Lagos to Burgos myself non-stop and ended up talking Spanish to myself and overdosing on Tapas and Beer. You both need to drive to avoid insanity. Recommended route to avoid tolls wherever possible, benefit from lower cost fuel in Spain and see wonderful country is Santander, Palencia, Valladolid, Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Seville, Huelva, Ayamonte, the Algarve. It is Motorway all the way. As regards security of the car, I always unload even if the car is in secure parking - its just not worth it in any country these days. If you really want to stop somewhere with parking, there is the IBIS in Salamanca. (But its right in town and a pig to find.) Near Seville, heading south towards Huelva and just behind IKEA, there is the Leflet Castilleja la Cuesta. Underground secure parking but the ramp is very very steep and there are only a couple of restaurants nearby. However, its reasonably cheap and v. clean. Read more at barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

 

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Santander, Spain to the Algarve

Did the run from Lagos through Spain (100km from Santander) to Brittany, then Limoges region and then back to Lagos in the Algarve, a couple of weeks ago. 5000km in 10 days. Aaargh!

Have done this run several times in recent years, on me tod and with the other half who is an excellent co-driver.

If both of you drive Santander to the Algarve should be doable in +-11hrs. (Stops included)

We ran back from Le Moggies and overnighted in Northen Spain just outside Burgos. The next day we ran the full way back to Lagos in about 10hrs 30 mins - Both of us driving.

I have done the run from Lagos to Burgos myself non-stop and ended up talking Spanish to myself and overdosing on Tapas and Beer. You both need to drive to avoid insanity.

Recommended route to avoid tolls wherever possible, benefit from lower cost fuel in Spain and see wonderful country is Santander, Palencia, Valladolid, Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Seville, Huelva, Ayamonte, the Algarve. It is Motorway all the way.

As regards security of the car, I always unload even if the car is in secure parking - its just not worth it in any country these days.

If you really want to stop somewhere with parking, there is the IBIS in Salamanca. (But its right in town and a pig to find.)

Near Seville, heading south towards Huelva and just behind IKEA, there is the Leflet Castilleja la Cuesta. Underground secure parking but the ramp is very very steep and there are only a couple of restaurants nearby. However, its reasonably cheap and v. clean.

Portugal Motorways - Electronic tolls be very aware

Quote from post by Meathlady on Porto Forums of TripAdvisor.....

Full post here: "http://j.mp/9BBwXp"


"Electronic tolls be very aware ”- Nov 01, 2010, 4:14 PM

The Portuguese government in their wisdom have introduced electronic tolls on some of their motorways, we were caught out on our way to Porto. I do not mind paying tolls I do object when their is no way for visitors leaving the country to pay and have heard I am going to be levied a fine of 10 times the toll.

We collected hire care in Lisbon no mention from the car hire company of the new tolls, on heading to Porto noticed signed for electronic tolls, stopped in Porto to pay we were advised to go to the Post Office. Queued for 40 mins to be told we cannot pay for 2 days at the system does not operate in real-time.

Explained we were leaving the country and got a shrug of the shoulders, no option to pay over the internet. Were given the same information by the care hire company in Porto but they did tell me I would be fined.

So tourists beware travel on electronically tolls motorways at your peril. I will NOT be going back to Portugal anytime soon".

My reply:

"Oh Dear!

I am so sorry that you have had this experience.

It was only a matter of time!

The Portuguese Govt. has not thought through the impact of the introduction of the new electronically collected tolls on tourism. In their rush to raise revenue because of Portugal's dire economic situation, they have decided to implement electronic tolls on several motorways. They intend doing this on the A22 Algarve Spinal Motorway "the Via de Infante" as from April 15th 2010.

This past summer, the Algarve Economy was saved by a massive influx of Spanish Tourists. The alternative road, the famous EN125 is not up to handling the traffic volumes.

It is my estimation that we will see a drop of up to 50% of car based travel here in the Algarve in 2011 once the word gets out about this crassly throught out system which does not even have an option to pay tolls at a service area on Portuguese motorways.

Portugal has high unemployment but in an effort to "avoid" creating more jobs, the Government has decided to go for an electronic system rather than build toll booths where people can pay and employment would be created.

I had not intended to write about this for a few more weeks as there is always hope the Portuguese Govt. will realise the damage they are causing to desperately needed tourism but your post has spurred me to action.

Personally, as a local expert for Lagos, Algarve, I have to say that I do not
recommend people visiting the Algarve next year by car, unless you are prepared to take a lot of time using old roads. If you are flying into Faro, Airport and want to hire a car, think about taking a shuttle to your destination and then hiring a car locally. Alternatively, fly to Lisbon, take a train or bus down to the Algarve, enjoying the views en route, and then hire locally.

We still do not know the price level of the tolls here , but early indication are that on the A22 Via de Infante they will be high. I suspect that instead of raising funds as they intend, this electronic toll system will be a loss leader and cause great damage to Portugal's image as a friendly tourist destination, as well has having exactly the opposite effect in maintaining economic growth.

I am not against charging reasonable tolls to fund road maintenance but tolls should be realistic and user friendly which these new ones in Portugal are not."