It has now been confirmed via several sources that Ryanair suspended their service between Faro and Madrid last week. Once again Faro has no direct air links to a growing and important tourist market.
The company cited the fact that after only 10 months of operation they only were achieving a 48,6% load factor on the route. However, the reports quoting this statistic fail to point out that Ryanair, while initially operating 7 flights a week on the route, dropped the frequency to 4 a week in early summer. It would be interesting to know if the percentage figure quoted reflected this or was calculated on 7 flights a week.
It would be also interesting to know whether they considered dropping frequencies to 3 times a week - loadings then presumably would increase accordingly to in the order of 60%. Ryanair do operate thrice weekly services on other routes in Europe - Why not Faro?
After the debacle of the cancellation of their Girona - Faro route after 2 months of operation, one has to question Ryanair's strategy for entering the Spain to Faro market. They were receiving incentives from the authorities to operate a route which in the case of Madrid - Faro would have become profitable over time. I question their complete lack of apppropriate local marketing (e.g. billboards) in the Algarve and Coast da Luz (Huelva) areas. Many locals, especially from the expat communities in the Algarve, were simply unaware of the route because they don't read the local press. it appears that, as with its policies elswhere in Europe, unless it can make a quick buck, they will get out of a route as soon as they can with minimal public announcements etc. This also happened recently on their Dublin to Porto Service. As a result passengers who h ad already booked their flights were offered refunds or alternatives seats on flights from Faro (600km away.)
Let's hope the Algarve tourism authorities (RTA) can attract other airlines to routes such as Faro - Madrid, as well as Faro - Paris and Faro Milan.
However, hopefully, not Ryanair!
While I understand that low-cost airlines have to depend on turnover, they should not expect to receive incentives for a route and then drop it when they want to. They should also do proper market research beforehand to try ensure viability of a route or accept that it takes time for traffic to develop and "stay the course."
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Madrid Faro. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Madrid Faro. Sort by date Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Travel Madrid/Faro/Granada
It depends when you intend travelling.
As from 27th March 2011, Ryanair.com will be restarting its direct flights from Madrid to Faro. Think they run three times a week.
Otherwise, the alternatives as indicated above are:
1) Bus -
http://www.socibus.es from Madrid Estacion del Sur bus station to Seville Plaza das Armas Bus Station and then either:
i) One of the two daily DAMAS/Eva transportes buses from Seville to Faro
See: http://goo.gl/OcHMV
Did this trip myself back in December 2010.
ii) One of the alsa.es buses from Seville to Faro. (Twice daily at weekends)
2) Train/Bus
As previously stated, AVE train from Madrid to Seville and then bus as above.
As regards travelling from Faro to Granada, bus is the only real option and you will have to travel via Seville again.
Alsa.es operates this route. It requires a transfer between Seville Estacion das Armas Bus Station and Prado Bus Station in Seville.
Current Schedule shows:
Depart Faro: 01:15
Arrive Granada: 11:00
You may be able to get better connections traveling by DAMAS/Eva transportes buses from faro to Seville and then connecting with a Seville to Granada bus.
There are several daily.
As regards cheap hire car at Faro Aiport, this is unlikely. Prices are climbing due to shortage of vehicles and a host of other economic factors.
However, bear in mind that the cheapest price quoted may not be the best once you look at the small print.
As from 27th March 2011, Ryanair.com will be restarting its direct flights from Madrid to Faro. Think they run three times a week.
Otherwise, the alternatives as indicated above are:
1) Bus -
http://www.socibus.es from Madrid Estacion del Sur bus station to Seville Plaza das Armas Bus Station and then either:
i) One of the two daily DAMAS/Eva transportes buses from Seville to Faro
See: http://goo.gl/OcHMV
Did this trip myself back in December 2010.
ii) One of the alsa.es buses from Seville to Faro. (Twice daily at weekends)
2) Train/Bus
As previously stated, AVE train from Madrid to Seville and then bus as above.
As regards travelling from Faro to Granada, bus is the only real option and you will have to travel via Seville again.
Alsa.es operates this route. It requires a transfer between Seville Estacion das Armas Bus Station and Prado Bus Station in Seville.
Current Schedule shows:
Depart Faro: 01:15
Arrive Granada: 11:00
You may be able to get better connections traveling by DAMAS/Eva transportes buses from faro to Seville and then connecting with a Seville to Granada bus.
There are several daily.
As regards cheap hire car at Faro Aiport, this is unlikely. Prices are climbing due to shortage of vehicles and a host of other economic factors.
However, bear in mind that the cheapest price quoted may not be the best once you look at the small print.
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Ryanair - New Base - Faro - 14 new routes
Ryanair have announced this morning that they will be basing 6 new aircraft at Faro Airport in the Algarve creating their 39th base.
See:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/rte-en-161209-4
and
http://bit.ly/6hzi6L
New routes being introduced between March and April will include:
Faro – Billund (30 Março) – Dinamarca
Faro – Marselha (30 Março) – França
Faro – Birmingham (28 Março) – Inglaterra
Faro – Maastricht (27 Março) – Holanda
Faro – Derry (30 Março) – Irlanda do Norte
Faro – Munich (Memmingen) (27 Abril) – Alemanha
Faro – Milão (Bergamo) (25 Março) – Itália
Faro – Kerry (30 Março) – Irlanda
Faro – Oslo (Rygge) (30 Março) – Noruega
Faro – Knock (30 Março) – Irlanda
Faro – Paris (Beauvais) (27 Abril) – França
Faro – Madrid (27 Abril) – Espanha
Faro – Estocolmo (Skavsta) (30 Março) – Suécia
Faro - Shannon is being dropped.
Faro - Porto is being increased to a daily frequency.
See:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/rte-en-161209-4
and
http://bit.ly/6hzi6L
New routes being introduced between March and April will include:
Faro – Billund (30 Março) – Dinamarca
Faro – Marselha (30 Março) – França
Faro – Birmingham (28 Março) – Inglaterra
Faro – Maastricht (27 Março) – Holanda
Faro – Derry (30 Março) – Irlanda do Norte
Faro – Munich (Memmingen) (27 Abril) – Alemanha
Faro – Milão (Bergamo) (25 Março) – Itália
Faro – Kerry (30 Março) – Irlanda
Faro – Oslo (Rygge) (30 Março) – Noruega
Faro – Knock (30 Março) – Irlanda
Faro – Paris (Beauvais) (27 Abril) – França
Faro – Madrid (27 Abril) – Espanha
Faro – Estocolmo (Skavsta) (30 Março) – Suécia
Faro - Shannon is being dropped.
Faro - Porto is being increased to a daily frequency.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Anna AERO article on Ryanair Porto Base
See here:
http://www.anna.aero/2009/09/04/ryanairs-new-portuguese-base-in-porto-serves-22-destinations-five-routes-served-at-least-daily/
My comments:
Of particular note, is the Porto to Faro route.
This is only the second time that an non-Portuguese Airline has been given traffic rights to operate domestic flights within Portugal. The first was a year ago when Easyjet began operating Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira after years of complaints from residents of Maderia about TAP/Air Portugal’s high prices and monopoly on that route.
Although much demanded, no airline has previously operated Porto to Faro. This has meant that it has been faster to get to UK and German airports from Faro than to the north of Portugal. By air, one has had to transit Lisbon on TAP/Air Portugal or take a 7/8 hour train or bus ride between the two regions.
Apart from tourists and families, I suspect that the biggest demand may be from University Students travelling North and South as there is a fairly large University in Faro.
I hope the route succeeds, but reserve my judgement. Two years ago, Ryanair launched services from Spain. The Madrid to Faro route should have been successful but was pulled after 8 months owing to only 48% average loadings.
My opinion, for what it is worth, was that the route was not publicised enough in the local and expat media in the Algarve and the far south-west of Spain around Huelva, showing Madrid as destination for week-end breaks. Many people were not aware of the service till it was too late.
Nor was Madrid Barajas promoted as an airline hub access point with onward access to many more destinations than Lisbon. Finally, the route was initiated as a daily service and then frequencies were reduced. It should have been the other way around.
I hope that the same mistakes will not be made with the Porto route. It needs to be publicised in the local Algarve Portuguese and Expat media. As regards the Algarve portuguese media, this needs to include billboard adverts near Faro Airport, and advertising on local tv/radio as many more locals listen to radio and watch national TV than read papers.
By the way, the Algarve (Faro FAO), still needs the Faro - Madrid route back!
http://www.anna.aero/2009/09/04/ryanairs-new-portuguese-base-in-porto-serves-22-destinations-five-routes-served-at-least-daily/
My comments:
Of particular note, is the Porto to Faro route.
This is only the second time that an non-Portuguese Airline has been given traffic rights to operate domestic flights within Portugal. The first was a year ago when Easyjet began operating Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira after years of complaints from residents of Maderia about TAP/Air Portugal’s high prices and monopoly on that route.
Although much demanded, no airline has previously operated Porto to Faro. This has meant that it has been faster to get to UK and German airports from Faro than to the north of Portugal. By air, one has had to transit Lisbon on TAP/Air Portugal or take a 7/8 hour train or bus ride between the two regions.
Apart from tourists and families, I suspect that the biggest demand may be from University Students travelling North and South as there is a fairly large University in Faro.
I hope the route succeeds, but reserve my judgement. Two years ago, Ryanair launched services from Spain. The Madrid to Faro route should have been successful but was pulled after 8 months owing to only 48% average loadings.
My opinion, for what it is worth, was that the route was not publicised enough in the local and expat media in the Algarve and the far south-west of Spain around Huelva, showing Madrid as destination for week-end breaks. Many people were not aware of the service till it was too late.
Nor was Madrid Barajas promoted as an airline hub access point with onward access to many more destinations than Lisbon. Finally, the route was initiated as a daily service and then frequencies were reduced. It should have been the other way around.
I hope that the same mistakes will not be made with the Porto route. It needs to be publicised in the local Algarve Portuguese and Expat media. As regards the Algarve portuguese media, this needs to include billboard adverts near Faro Airport, and advertising on local tv/radio as many more locals listen to radio and watch national TV than read papers.
By the way, the Algarve (Faro FAO), still needs the Faro - Madrid route back!
Friday, 13 March 2009
Madrid to Faro
Ryanair ran a service on this route 2 years ago for 6 months, However, because they advertised it badly, they only got 50% loadings.
They decided not to persevere with the service, which I think was wrong.
There are not low-cost flights between Madrid and Faro.
Your options are:
Low-Cost Flight - Madrid-Lisbon and then Bus/Train Lisbon - Faro
Bus/Train - Madrid to Seville
Bus - Seville to Faro
Have a look at these posts on my blog which may help.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Madrid+Faro
They decided not to persevere with the service, which I think was wrong.
There are not low-cost flights between Madrid and Faro.
Your options are:
Low-Cost Flight - Madrid-Lisbon and then Bus/Train Lisbon - Faro
Bus/Train - Madrid to Seville
Bus - Seville to Faro
Have a look at these posts on my blog which may help.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Madrid+Faro
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Madrid to Lagos by Plane/Bus - Report
As I reported a couple of days ago went up to Madrid by Ryanair last Friday from Faro.
I left Lagos on the 08:19 and arrived Faro 15 minutes late as several of the bridges en route are being painted and there are currently spped restrictions in place.
Missed the 10:15 Airport bus from Faro bus station 150m from the rail station. Had breakfast and then caught the 11:15 which got me to the airport at 11.35.
Flight was 15 minutes late boarding and 20 late airborne. Beautiful take-off over Faro Island and banking round over the deep-blue Atlantic before heading inland over Eastern Algarve.
Crossed the border into Spain over the Guadiana at Alcoutim which was clearly visible from the air. Cloud cover then moved in and by the time we arrived at Madrid Barajas it was raining.
Flight arrived on schedule. Shows how much "flexibility" is built into timetables.
Note that taxis at Madrid Barajas airport are a pain. If you are booked into any hotels near the airport with no shuttle service it is practially impossible to get a cab as they all want to go into the center because they get better fares. We ended up having to walk to the IBIS - not far but a pain.
I returned Madrid - Lagos by bus as I had quite a bit to carry.
Caught the 22:00 Madrid - Ayamonte Socibus Service from Estacion del Sur (Metro: Mendes Alvaro - Line 6 Circular). Cost Euro 23:50.
Bus arrived Ayamonte 06:30. Caught the 09:45 from Ayamonte to Lagos. Arrived 12:00 Portuguese time. Ambushed as usual coming off the bus by the rent-a-room mafia who after all the years I've lived here still don't remember me! :)
Cost Euro 11:00
Trip was fine albeit tiring. It should be possible to leave Madrid an hour later and catch the Lagos bus in Seville but I did not want to chance the ticket office in Seville not be open at 05.00 a.m. at Plaza das Armas.
I left Lagos on the 08:19 and arrived Faro 15 minutes late as several of the bridges en route are being painted and there are currently spped restrictions in place.
Missed the 10:15 Airport bus from Faro bus station 150m from the rail station. Had breakfast and then caught the 11:15 which got me to the airport at 11.35.
Flight was 15 minutes late boarding and 20 late airborne. Beautiful take-off over Faro Island and banking round over the deep-blue Atlantic before heading inland over Eastern Algarve.
Crossed the border into Spain over the Guadiana at Alcoutim which was clearly visible from the air. Cloud cover then moved in and by the time we arrived at Madrid Barajas it was raining.
Flight arrived on schedule. Shows how much "flexibility" is built into timetables.
Note that taxis at Madrid Barajas airport are a pain. If you are booked into any hotels near the airport with no shuttle service it is practially impossible to get a cab as they all want to go into the center because they get better fares. We ended up having to walk to the IBIS - not far but a pain.
I returned Madrid - Lagos by bus as I had quite a bit to carry.
Caught the 22:00 Madrid - Ayamonte Socibus Service from Estacion del Sur (Metro: Mendes Alvaro - Line 6 Circular). Cost Euro 23:50.
Bus arrived Ayamonte 06:30. Caught the 09:45 from Ayamonte to Lagos. Arrived 12:00 Portuguese time. Ambushed as usual coming off the bus by the rent-a-room mafia who after all the years I've lived here still don't remember me! :)
Cost Euro 11:00
Trip was fine albeit tiring. It should be possible to leave Madrid an hour later and catch the Lagos bus in Seville but I did not want to chance the ticket office in Seville not be open at 05.00 a.m. at Plaza das Armas.
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Travel from Rome,Italy to Faro,Portugal
There are currently no direct airline routes between Rome and Faro.
Most airlines, with the exception of TAP, Lufthansa, and a couple of Scandanavian operators, are low-cost and therefore, one would have to buy two one sector tickets via a hub and hope the flights connect.
Vueling.com, (a Catalunyan low-cost ), begins seasonal flights between Barcelona and Faro from 20 Junee 2016. They also operate Rome to Barcelona. Unusually for a low-cost they allow multi-sector bookings. I have used them in the past to travel Sevilla to Napoli via their Barcelona base...all on a single ticket.
There is a flight available on 20 June as follows:
Roma (FCO): 09:55
Barcelona: 11:45
Barcelona: 13:55
Faro (FAO): 14:50 (-1)
Another option, but not lowcost, is with IAG's Iberia Group via Madrid Barajas. Iberia operates the sector Roma to Madrid Barajas and its subsidiary Air Nostrum will be operating three flights per week in the high season between Madrid Barajas and Faro.
On 1st June, 2015 when flight start there is availability on the route as follows:
07:45h - Roma Fiumicino (FCO) Terminal 3
10:20h - Madrid Adolfo Suarez Barajas (MAD) - Terminal 4
Duración: 2h 35m
11:35h - Madrid Adolfo Suarez Barajas (MAD) - Terminal 4
11:50h - Faro (-1)
Duración: 1h 15m.
Current price is around 250€ at time of checking. See: http://www.airnostrum.es/
The final option would be by TAP Air Portugal. See http://www.flytap.com/
At present there appear to be three to four connections per day via Lisbon in early June for prices around € 175.00 at the time of writing.
However, I would issue a major warning about booking with TAP so far ahead. The company is currently in the final phase of yet another attempt at privatization. The Pilot and Aircrew unions are all making mutterings about new strikes in common months as things come to a head.
Most airlines, with the exception of TAP, Lufthansa, and a couple of Scandanavian operators, are low-cost and therefore, one would have to buy two one sector tickets via a hub and hope the flights connect.
Vueling.com, (a Catalunyan low-cost ), begins seasonal flights between Barcelona and Faro from 20 Junee 2016. They also operate Rome to Barcelona. Unusually for a low-cost they allow multi-sector bookings. I have used them in the past to travel Sevilla to Napoli via their Barcelona base...all on a single ticket.
There is a flight available on 20 June as follows:
Roma (FCO): 09:55
Barcelona: 11:45
Barcelona: 13:55
Faro (FAO): 14:50 (-1)
Another option, but not lowcost, is with IAG's Iberia Group via Madrid Barajas. Iberia operates the sector Roma to Madrid Barajas and its subsidiary Air Nostrum will be operating three flights per week in the high season between Madrid Barajas and Faro.
On 1st June, 2015 when flight start there is availability on the route as follows:
07:45h - Roma Fiumicino (FCO) Terminal 3
10:20h - Madrid Adolfo Suarez Barajas (MAD) - Terminal 4
Duración: 2h 35m
11:35h - Madrid Adolfo Suarez Barajas (MAD) - Terminal 4
11:50h - Faro (-1)
Duración: 1h 15m.
Current price is around 250€ at time of checking. See: http://www.airnostrum.es/
The final option would be by TAP Air Portugal. See http://www.flytap.com/
At present there appear to be three to four connections per day via Lisbon in early June for prices around € 175.00 at the time of writing.
However, I would issue a major warning about booking with TAP so far ahead. The company is currently in the final phase of yet another attempt at privatization. The Pilot and Aircrew unions are all making mutterings about new strikes in common months as things come to a head.
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Valencia to Lagos Algarve Portugal
If you book now the fastest and cheapest way may be by low cost flight
Valencia - Madrid
try Spanair
www.spanair.es
and then
Madrid - Faro - daily.
www.ryanair.com
It looks like the flight Madrid - Faro on that day is full but the day after is still available.
Prices look very good.
If you caught the early morning spanair flight from Valencia you should connect with the Faro flight.
From there you can either, taxi, shuttle or bus/train to Lagos.
It will still take most of the day though.
Alternatively you are looking at:
Valencia - Seville
Vueling Airlines
www.vueling.com
and then bus to Lagos
or bus all the way.
valencia - seville
seville - lagos.
You may find more useful info and links on the following sites:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
and on my blog where I keep also sorts of posts on transport to and from the Algarve.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
Valencia - Madrid
try Spanair
www.spanair.es
and then
Madrid - Faro - daily.
www.ryanair.com
It looks like the flight Madrid - Faro on that day is full but the day after is still available.
Prices look very good.
If you caught the early morning spanair flight from Valencia you should connect with the Faro flight.
From there you can either, taxi, shuttle or bus/train to Lagos.
It will still take most of the day though.
Alternatively you are looking at:
Valencia - Seville
Vueling Airlines
www.vueling.com
and then bus to Lagos
or bus all the way.
valencia - seville
seville - lagos.
You may find more useful info and links on the following sites:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
and on my blog where I keep also sorts of posts on transport to and from the Algarve.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Alvor/Faro to Malaga
Essentially there are no cheap easy routes!
1)Bus/train Alvor/Portimão to Faro.
2) Bus - Faro to Seville
3) Bus - Seville to Malaga
Anoth possibility is:
1)Bus/train Alvor/Portimão to Faro.
2) Bus - Faro - Faro Airport
3) Air by Ryanair - Faro - Madrid
4) Air by one of the lowcost operators - Madrid - Malaga.
AIR EUROPA
SPANAIR
VUELING AIRLINES
For the Portuguese segment see this site:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
For flights Madrid - Malaga see:
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1049727006261&pagename=Estandar%2FPage%2FAeropuerto&SMO=7&SiteName=MAD&c=Page&MO=1
1)Bus/train Alvor/Portimão to Faro.
2) Bus - Faro to Seville
3) Bus - Seville to Malaga
Anoth possibility is:
1)Bus/train Alvor/Portimão to Faro.
2) Bus - Faro - Faro Airport
3) Air by Ryanair - Faro - Madrid
4) Air by one of the lowcost operators - Madrid - Malaga.
AIR EUROPA
SPANAIR
VUELING AIRLINES
For the Portuguese segment see this site:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
For flights Madrid - Malaga see:
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1049727006261&pagename=Estandar%2FPage%2FAeropuerto&SMO=7&SiteName=MAD&c=Page&MO=1
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Travelling from Granada to Faro, Algarve
Hi!
Sorry for the delay in reply.
Faro Bus Station is right downtown. Most of the small hostels and pensions are within 5 blocks of there. Taxis may be available at the rail station 200m but probably will not want to carry you such a short distance.
The problem is that downtown Faro at 01:45 a.m. is not the best time to be downtown Faro as the bars are closing and it is a bit unsavory unless you have someone to meet you.
I would suggest that you try to come in on the 07:30 or 16:30 from Seville Plaza das Armas.
Be aware that Faro is the District Capital and a business center. It is not exactly a tourist center and you could probably do the old centre in a couple of hours.
I would suggest that you consider laying over in Tavira or going straight to Lagos.
If you do decide to lay over in Faro and come on the 01:45 train, I would recommend the following pension which while perhaps a bit over budget is clean and near the station and bus station.
http://www.residencialalgarve.com/
As regards driving, bear in mind that if you want to pick up in Spain and drop-off in Portugal it will cost a lot.
Additionally, if you are travelling between 1st June and 30th September you should remember that the interior of Andalucia and Portugal is very very hot. You shoulld plan to travel early morning and finish by 12:00.
If you are from "over the pond", bear in mind that most car rental vehicles here in Spain and Portugal are manual shift. Automatics attract a premium.
Transiting Seville can be a bit of a head-ache during morning rush hour, lunchtime and afternoon rush-hour.
Also from 15th July till 30th August, all roads are going to be chaotic owing to the lemming-like mass European migration from the North of Europe to the shores of the Med and Atlantic.
Road signage in Portugal and Spain is usually pretty good particularly on main routes.
A final possible option would be to take a budget evening Spanair flight from Granada to Madrid and then the next day the daily Ryanair flight from Madrid to Faro.
From Faro you can get a transfer, taxi or hire car to Lagos.
For more info see previous postings I have made on my blog at http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com.
Also check out:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
hope this helps.
Sorry for the delay in reply.
Faro Bus Station is right downtown. Most of the small hostels and pensions are within 5 blocks of there. Taxis may be available at the rail station 200m but probably will not want to carry you such a short distance.
The problem is that downtown Faro at 01:45 a.m. is not the best time to be downtown Faro as the bars are closing and it is a bit unsavory unless you have someone to meet you.
I would suggest that you try to come in on the 07:30 or 16:30 from Seville Plaza das Armas.
Be aware that Faro is the District Capital and a business center. It is not exactly a tourist center and you could probably do the old centre in a couple of hours.
I would suggest that you consider laying over in Tavira or going straight to Lagos.
If you do decide to lay over in Faro and come on the 01:45 train, I would recommend the following pension which while perhaps a bit over budget is clean and near the station and bus station.
http://www.residencialalgarve.com/
As regards driving, bear in mind that if you want to pick up in Spain and drop-off in Portugal it will cost a lot.
Additionally, if you are travelling between 1st June and 30th September you should remember that the interior of Andalucia and Portugal is very very hot. You shoulld plan to travel early morning and finish by 12:00.
If you are from "over the pond", bear in mind that most car rental vehicles here in Spain and Portugal are manual shift. Automatics attract a premium.
Transiting Seville can be a bit of a head-ache during morning rush hour, lunchtime and afternoon rush-hour.
Also from 15th July till 30th August, all roads are going to be chaotic owing to the lemming-like mass European migration from the North of Europe to the shores of the Med and Atlantic.
Road signage in Portugal and Spain is usually pretty good particularly on main routes.
A final possible option would be to take a budget evening Spanair flight from Granada to Madrid and then the next day the daily Ryanair flight from Madrid to Faro.
From Faro you can get a transfer, taxi or hire car to Lagos.
For more info see previous postings I have made on my blog at http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com.
Also check out:
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
hope this helps.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Algarve - Travel from Italy
The Algarve desparately needs a regular airlink to a major airport in Italy(Milan or Roma) and Paris.
The following is a posting I made in response to a query about how get to Faro from Napoli.
"Hi!
It's a pity but there are no cheap direct airlinks between Faro and Italy.
Train is not an option unless you want to be travelling for four days and spend a fortune.
The following low - cost airlines operate from Naples Airport:
Easyjet to Milan Malpensa - Connect to Lisbon and then Train/Bus to Faro - 3 hours.
Brussels Airlines to Brussels - Connect by Brussels Airlines to Faro
Transavia to Amsterdam - Connect to Transavia to Faro
All of the above probably will require overnight stops en route and some flights only operate certain days of the week..
From Rome FCO there are daily flights by Air Europa to Madrid.
www.air-europa.es
You would probably have to overnight there and then catch the daily Ryanair Flight to Faro.
www.ryanair.com
Cost wise this may be the cheapest.
Vueling Airlines - www.vueling.com operate Rome (FCO) - Seville on a daily although return flight prices appear a bit pricey at present.
You would probably have to stay overnight in Seville and then get the bus the next day to Faro. (Twice a day - weekdays )
See: www.damas-sa.es for more info.
Mid week flights (Wednesday) by TAP from Rome FCO - Air Portugal via Lisbon appear not to expensive at present either. Although one always has to be wary of the Lisbon - Faro connection with Air Portugal if the inward flight to Lisbon is delayed.
Hope this helps
"
The following is a posting I made in response to a query about how get to Faro from Napoli.
"Hi!
It's a pity but there are no cheap direct airlinks between Faro and Italy.
Train is not an option unless you want to be travelling for four days and spend a fortune.
The following low - cost airlines operate from Naples Airport:
Easyjet to Milan Malpensa - Connect to Lisbon and then Train/Bus to Faro - 3 hours.
Brussels Airlines to Brussels - Connect by Brussels Airlines to Faro
Transavia to Amsterdam - Connect to Transavia to Faro
All of the above probably will require overnight stops en route and some flights only operate certain days of the week..
From Rome FCO there are daily flights by Air Europa to Madrid.
www.air-europa.es
You would probably have to overnight there and then catch the daily Ryanair Flight to Faro.
www.ryanair.com
Cost wise this may be the cheapest.
Vueling Airlines - www.vueling.com operate Rome (FCO) - Seville on a daily although return flight prices appear a bit pricey at present.
You would probably have to stay overnight in Seville and then get the bus the next day to Faro. (Twice a day - weekdays )
See: www.damas-sa.es for more info.
Mid week flights (Wednesday) by TAP from Rome FCO - Air Portugal via Lisbon appear not to expensive at present either. Although one always has to be wary of the Lisbon - Faro connection with Air Portugal if the inward flight to Lisbon is delayed.
Hope this helps
"
Friday, 10 April 2015
Train from Seville to Faro
My reply to a really stupid question on the TripAdvisor Seville Forum which has be previously answered hundreds of times.......
"Obviously, you have not searched Google or these forums as you would have found a myriad of posts on this subject going back at least 9 years!
http://algarvebus.info/001.htm"
"Obviously, you have not searched Google or these forums as you would have found a myriad of posts on this subject going back at least 9 years!
There are and never has been a direct train line from Seville to Faro.
Perhaps you are using a printed 1980's travel guide? At that time, there was a local train, (since discontinued) from Huelva to Ayamonte on the Guadiana. From there, there was a ferry to Vila Real Sta. Antonio, and then another local train to Faro. The line between Huelva and Ayamonte was taken up over 20 years ago!!!!! Hence, it is an "ex-Railway"!!!
So if you insist on wanting to go by train from Seville to Faro, be prepared to take AVE from Seville to Madrid, the overnight Lusitano Express to Lisbon and then an Alfa-Pendular/Intercidades from Lisbon to Faro.
To repeat, once again for future generations (or at least the next 2 generations), THERE IS NO DIRECT (or easy indirect) RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN Seville and Faro.
Now if you want to travel between Seville and Faro by public transport, go to this page on Cubsur's excellent website, which for the past 9 years has been the main source for information on this topic!!!
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Lisbon to Seville by Public Transport
Although these two great cities are, relatively speaking, not to far apart, there is actually limited budget transport options between the two.
Rail:
There is no direct railway line or service between Lisbon and Seville.
One can travel overnight on via Madrid. (See: www.renfe.es)
Air:
TAP-Air Portugal are the only airline operating direct services between Lisbon and Seville. At present, these flights are operated on behalf of TAP by http://www.omni.pt/ using 19 seaters Beechcraft 1900D Turboprops. Frequencies vary between 1 and 3 flights daily.
Bus:
Presently, there is a daily alsa.es bus service from Lisbon calling at both bus stations in Sevilla.
The service departs Lisboa Sete Rios Bus Station(Metro Jardim Zoologico) at 21:30 and arrives at
Sevilla Est. Autobus Plaza das Armas at 05:45 and Sevilla Est. Autobus Prado San Sebastian at 06:15. (Note: Clocks go forward an hour en route)
At present, there is also a service on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, leaving Lisbon Sete Rios at 13:30 and arriving Est. Autobus Plaza das Armas at 21:00 and Sevilla Est. Autobus Prado San Sebastian at 22:00.
These alsa.es services call at Faro in the Algarve en route.
It is also possible to on a daily basis take a train or bus from Lisbon to Faro and then connect with take the daily EVA/DAMAS bus services to Sevilla. (Note: In summer frequencies may increase.)
As regards connecting trains from Lisbon, only the afternoon bus service offer a connection at present. See: http://www.cp.pt
Faro Train Station is about 3 minutes walk from Faro Bus Station.
There are departures as follows:
Faro 08:10 Sevilla Plaza das Armas: 13:00
Faro 15:35 Sevilla Plaza das Armas: 20:15
As regards buses from Lisbon to Faro, both EVA and renex.pt operate services, the former from Lisbon Sete Rios and the latter from Lisbon Gare Oriente.
Friday, 25 May 2007
Lagos to Madrid - Train/Ryanair
Am in Madrid for the week-end.
Left Lagos on the 08:19 train.
En route the the train was delayed by line works and arrived Faro 10:20 - 15 minutes late. Cost € 6.40
Missed the 10:15 bus to the airport.
Got the 11:15 bus and arrived Faro Airport 11:40.
Inward Ryanair plane was 25 minutes late and we were 20 minutes late out. Nonetheless the schedule allows for this.
We arrived Madrid Barajas on time at 15:55.
Load Factor on a 198 seat Boeing 737-800 was +- 40%
Flights come into Madrid Barajas Terminal !/2/3.
Complete chaos at Airport. Taxis go where they want to go not where you want to go. I would suggest that the Metro is the best way into town. Be aware that even the staff at the airport Info desks not very helpful on local knowledge evn in Spanish.
Best option for help is the Comunidad de Madrid Tourism Desk in Terminal 1 and the Post Office. (Correos)
Guys, we need to supper this connection to Madrid so that we don't lose it. Its a useful link for inward tourism and gettting out of the Algarve on multi-point vacations.
Returning Monday/Tuesday by bus.
Will write report accordingly.
Left Lagos on the 08:19 train.
En route the the train was delayed by line works and arrived Faro 10:20 - 15 minutes late. Cost € 6.40
Missed the 10:15 bus to the airport.
Got the 11:15 bus and arrived Faro Airport 11:40.
Inward Ryanair plane was 25 minutes late and we were 20 minutes late out. Nonetheless the schedule allows for this.
We arrived Madrid Barajas on time at 15:55.
Load Factor on a 198 seat Boeing 737-800 was +- 40%
Flights come into Madrid Barajas Terminal !/2/3.
Complete chaos at Airport. Taxis go where they want to go not where you want to go. I would suggest that the Metro is the best way into town. Be aware that even the staff at the airport Info desks not very helpful on local knowledge evn in Spanish.
Best option for help is the Comunidad de Madrid Tourism Desk in Terminal 1 and the Post Office. (Correos)
Guys, we need to supper this connection to Madrid so that we don't lose it. Its a useful link for inward tourism and gettting out of the Algarve on multi-point vacations.
Returning Monday/Tuesday by bus.
Will write report accordingly.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Faro to Malaga
There are no direct flights between Faro and Malaga or between Faro and airports in mainland Spain. To fly you would have to route via Lisbon and Madrid as the TAP/Air Portugal direct flights are expensive.
The only public transport route between Faro and Malaga is by bus.
Alsa.es have a daily departure as follows:
FARO dept: 01:45
MALAGA arr: 08:45
Current Price: €40.00
It is also possible to take the twice daily DAMAS/EVA buses from Faro to Seville and then get another bus to Malaga.
For more information see Cubsur's very useful website here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
The only public transport route between Faro and Malaga is by bus.
Alsa.es have a daily departure as follows:
FARO dept: 01:45
MALAGA arr: 08:45
Current Price: €40.00
It is also possible to take the twice daily DAMAS/EVA buses from Faro to Seville and then get another bus to Malaga.
For more information see Cubsur's very useful website here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Ryanair - New Porto Base - New Flight - Porto - Faro
Ryanair have just announced that they are to launch the first direct Porto to Faro route 4 days a week as from 26th October 2009.
See:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/PT/news.php?yr=09&month=aug&story=rte-pt-050809
and
http://www.lowcostportugal.net/faro/ryanair-lanca-rota-domestica-porto-faro-e-duas-internacionais/2009/08/
Flights will operate Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
At present according to the Ryanair site, flights will operate as follows:
Porto: 12;00
Faro: 13:00
Faro: 13:25
Porto: 14:30
This flight will certainly change the dynamics of travelling within Portugal as for a long time the South of the country has been remote from the North. Flights operated by the national airline TAP/Air Portugal have meant plane changes in Lisbon and 5 to 6 hour flights.
The only negative aspect of this will be pressure on the existing long distance bus operators and Portuguese Railways who currently provide low cost services on the route.
It will also mean that travellers from the Algarve maybe be able to benefit from links to certain other destinations via Porto such as Las Palmas, Madrid, (albeit with a 6 hour wait.),Paris (Beauvais - 100km from Paris),
The airline has also announced the launch of routes from Porto to Karlsruhe and Dusseldorf (Weeze).
While I am not a great fan of Ryanair, these services provided they are maintained should revolutionise travel between the North and South of Portugal.
See:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/PT/news.php?yr=09&month=aug&story=rte-pt-050809
and
http://www.lowcostportugal.net/faro/ryanair-lanca-rota-domestica-porto-faro-e-duas-internacionais/2009/08/
Flights will operate Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
At present according to the Ryanair site, flights will operate as follows:
Porto: 12;00
Faro: 13:00
Faro: 13:25
Porto: 14:30
This flight will certainly change the dynamics of travelling within Portugal as for a long time the South of the country has been remote from the North. Flights operated by the national airline TAP/Air Portugal have meant plane changes in Lisbon and 5 to 6 hour flights.
The only negative aspect of this will be pressure on the existing long distance bus operators and Portuguese Railways who currently provide low cost services on the route.
It will also mean that travellers from the Algarve maybe be able to benefit from links to certain other destinations via Porto such as Las Palmas, Madrid, (albeit with a 6 hour wait.),Paris (Beauvais - 100km from Paris),
The airline has also announced the launch of routes from Porto to Karlsruhe and Dusseldorf (Weeze).
While I am not a great fan of Ryanair, these services provided they are maintained should revolutionise travel between the North and South of Portugal.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Granada - Seville - Lagos - Madrid
You cannot book tickets for the DAMAS/EVA Transportes Service between Seville and Lagos online.
However, there are two services a day, every day and I am sure you will have no problem arriving at Estacion Plaza das Armas in Seville and buying a ticket there are then.
I used the 08:20 bus last Friday from Faro to Seville, and it was only about 20% full.
Have a look at Cubsur's page here for more info:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
You are going to have great difficult getting back to Madrid Airport on time if your flight is early morning on December 22nd. You do not say what time your flight is. Be aware that Madrid Barajas Airport is a way out of town. You may need to sit the night at the Airport.
Your best bet would be to take an EVA Transportes Bus from Lagos to Lisbon Sete Rios, early on 21st December, 2008 and then connect with one of the buses operated by alsa.es for Madrid. Be aware that Estacion Sur Bus Station is on the South side of Madrid and you will then need to use the Metro to get to the Airport.
Timetable:
Lagos to Lisbon (Eva Transportes)
Lagos Lisbon
05:45 09:30 Weekdays
07:45 11:30 Daily
10:15 14:00 Daily
12:45 16:30 Weekdays and Sundays
15:30 19:15 Daily
18:15 22:00 Daily
Lisbon Sete Rios to Madrid (Click to enlarge)- www.alsa.es
However, there are two services a day, every day and I am sure you will have no problem arriving at Estacion Plaza das Armas in Seville and buying a ticket there are then.
I used the 08:20 bus last Friday from Faro to Seville, and it was only about 20% full.
Have a look at Cubsur's page here for more info:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
You are going to have great difficult getting back to Madrid Airport on time if your flight is early morning on December 22nd. You do not say what time your flight is. Be aware that Madrid Barajas Airport is a way out of town. You may need to sit the night at the Airport.
Your best bet would be to take an EVA Transportes Bus from Lagos to Lisbon Sete Rios, early on 21st December, 2008 and then connect with one of the buses operated by alsa.es for Madrid. Be aware that Estacion Sur Bus Station is on the South side of Madrid and you will then need to use the Metro to get to the Airport.
Timetable:
Lagos to Lisbon (Eva Transportes)
Lagos Lisbon
05:45 09:30 Weekdays
07:45 11:30 Daily
10:15 14:00 Daily
12:45 16:30 Weekdays and Sundays
15:30 19:15 Daily
18:15 22:00 Daily
Lisbon Sete Rios to Madrid (Click to enlarge)- www.alsa.es
Monday, 5 May 2008
Faro to Malaga
As you have already surmised, there are no direct links by train, rail or air between Faro and Malaga - or for that matter between Faro and any Spanish Mainland city.
Viamichelin.com quotes as follows for the drive by car from Faro to Malaga:
Distance: 414km including 397km on motorways
Estimated drive time:04h18
You should note that it is very expensive to do inter-country drop-offs with hire cars between Spain and Portugal and vice versa.
Air is not really feasible as you would have to travel to Lisbon, get a low cost to Madrid and then another low-cost to Malaga.
Rail is essentially the same.
There is a bus service operated by www.alsa.es with a bus change in Seville at Plaza das Armas Bus Station as follows:
Town Dept
FARO 02:00
VILA REAL ST ANTONIO 02:45
AYAMONTE 04:00
HUELVA 04:30
SEVILLA 05:45
MALAGA 08:45
This would be the most direct.
You might also be able to catch one of the two daily buses operated by DAMAS/EVA from Faro to Seville (weekdays only in winter.)
Have a look at this page on Cubsur's site for more info:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
From Seville there will be several daily services to Malaga from either Plaza das Armas or Prado Bus Stations including these services operated by ALSINA GRAELLS SUR, S.A.
02:50 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
11:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
12:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
14:00 03:30 DE LUNES A SABADOS
16:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
17:40 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
19:00 03:30 VIERNES Y DOMINGO
20:15 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
20:30 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
22:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
23:58 03:30 A VIERNES DOMINGOS Y FESTIVO
Alternatively, you could get a cab from Seville Plaza das Armas to Estacion Stª. Justa Train Station and get the AVE high speed train to Malaga changing at Cordoba.
This will probably be very expensive and probably not save much time.
For more info check out the spanish railways site
www.renfe.es.
Hope this helps
Viamichelin.com quotes as follows for the drive by car from Faro to Malaga:
Distance: 414km including 397km on motorways
Estimated drive time:04h18
You should note that it is very expensive to do inter-country drop-offs with hire cars between Spain and Portugal and vice versa.
Air is not really feasible as you would have to travel to Lisbon, get a low cost to Madrid and then another low-cost to Malaga.
Rail is essentially the same.
There is a bus service operated by www.alsa.es with a bus change in Seville at Plaza das Armas Bus Station as follows:
Town Dept
FARO 02:00
VILA REAL ST ANTONIO 02:45
AYAMONTE 04:00
HUELVA 04:30
SEVILLA 05:45
MALAGA 08:45
This would be the most direct.
You might also be able to catch one of the two daily buses operated by DAMAS/EVA from Faro to Seville (weekdays only in winter.)
Have a look at this page on Cubsur's site for more info:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
From Seville there will be several daily services to Malaga from either Plaza das Armas or Prado Bus Stations including these services operated by ALSINA GRAELLS SUR, S.A.
02:50 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
11:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
12:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
14:00 03:30 DE LUNES A SABADOS
16:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
17:40 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
19:00 03:30 VIERNES Y DOMINGO
20:15 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
20:30 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
22:00 03:30 TODA LA SEMANA
23:58 03:30 A VIERNES DOMINGOS Y FESTIVO
Alternatively, you could get a cab from Seville Plaza das Armas to Estacion Stª. Justa Train Station and get the AVE high speed train to Malaga changing at Cordoba.
This will probably be very expensive and probably not save much time.
For more info check out the spanish railways site
www.renfe.es.
Hope this helps
Saturday, 1 December 2007
lagos to madrid via bus
1) Flights - It looks like Ryanair have pulled the plug permanently on this route. See this article on my blog.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/ryanair-faro-mardid-route.html
However, don't despair you do not need to go via Gatwick.
Vueling.com and Easyjet.com operate flights from Madrid to Lisbon. From Gare de Oriente, near the airport you can get a Renex Bus to Lagos for +- Euro 18.00 or a train t.o Lagos for not much more.
2) Buses from Madrid to Lagos. The cheapest route is probably to take a Socibus bus from Madrid to Seville and connect with the twice daily DAMAS/EVA service to Lagos. Note this operates only on weekdays in winter.
If you got the overnight Socibus service from Madrid at 22:00 arriving at 05:15 you could connect with the 07:30 DAMAS bus from Seville to Lagos arriving at 12:00.
Total cost should not be more than Euro 60.
It is possible to Madrid - Lisbon - Lagos via Lisbon Gare de Oriente but this route tends to be more expensive.
For more info, see http://cubsur's www.algarve-bus.info.
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/ryanair-faro-mardid-route.html
However, don't despair you do not need to go via Gatwick.
Vueling.com and Easyjet.com operate flights from Madrid to Lisbon. From Gare de Oriente, near the airport you can get a Renex Bus to Lagos for +- Euro 18.00 or a train t.o Lagos for not much more.
2) Buses from Madrid to Lagos. The cheapest route is probably to take a Socibus bus from Madrid to Seville and connect with the twice daily DAMAS/EVA service to Lagos. Note this operates only on weekdays in winter.
If you got the overnight Socibus service from Madrid at 22:00 arriving at 05:15 you could connect with the 07:30 DAMAS bus from Seville to Lagos arriving at 12:00.
Total cost should not be more than Euro 60.
It is possible to Madrid - Lisbon - Lagos via Lisbon Gare de Oriente but this route tends to be more expensive.
For more info, see http://cubsur's www.algarve-bus.info.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Faro to Granada Xmas 2007
There are no train services between the Algarve and Andaluzia.
Ryanair has been operating flights between Faro and Madrid where you could connect to Granada with Spanair but it looks like this service is going to be suspended over the winter.
There is therefore only one real option.
Get an alsa.es bus from Faro as follows:
FARO 02:00
TAVIRA 02:30
VILA REAL ST ANTONIO 02:45
AYAMONTE 04:00
HUELVA 04:30
SEVILLA 05:45 (change bus)
GRANADA 09:00
Buses leave from outside Faro Bus Station. Tickets should be purchased online at www.alsa.es or a day or two before from the travel agency on the left as one walks into faro Bus Station.
Ryanair has been operating flights between Faro and Madrid where you could connect to Granada with Spanair but it looks like this service is going to be suspended over the winter.
There is therefore only one real option.
Get an alsa.es bus from Faro as follows:
FARO 02:00
TAVIRA 02:30
VILA REAL ST ANTONIO 02:45
AYAMONTE 04:00
HUELVA 04:30
SEVILLA 05:45 (change bus)
GRANADA 09:00
Buses leave from outside Faro Bus Station. Tickets should be purchased online at www.alsa.es or a day or two before from the travel agency on the left as one walks into faro Bus Station.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)