Faro to Porto, portugal

You have two options - train or bus.

Train:

There are two fast through trains per day and several intercity trains.

I have posted an extract from the current timetable on Scribd. Click on or copy and paste the url below:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12889011/Faro-Porto-Train-Timetable-2009-

Bus:

There are two bus companies RENEX and REDE Expressos operating the Faro to Porto route via Lisbon.

The Rede Expressos Timetable can be found here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12889183/Faro-Porto-Rede-Expressos-Bus-Timetable

The RENEX timetables are downloadable via my blog:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

Scroll down on the right and you will find at panel entitled:

»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

In this panel look for:

>>> RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Algarve (including Lagos) timetable

and

>>> RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Porto timetable

Click on each to download the relevant timetable in pdf

Algarve Digital - Free wifi access in the Algarve

There is a publicly sponsored free wifi access programme available at certain points in certain towns throughout the Algarve

Project website here:

http://www.algarvedigital.pt

List of most free Algarve wifi access points listed below. Red Pointer indicates free. Click on ipaper link below to save or on link below to go to Scribd for larger version or to download:

Algarve Digital Free Wifi 0209

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Informational Brochures & Catalogs digital wireless

Algarve - Lagos - Surfing

Lagos would be ideal for you!

For information on surfing contact the Surf Experience.

http://www.surf-experience.com/

These guys have been in business for years and can help. When you email them tell Toby M that Computer Chris referred you.

Lisbon Airport from Madrid to Lisbon Train

You want to get of the train at Gare Oriente not Stª Apolonia. Train gets in at +-07.30

Descend to the ground floor level and head to the West Exit of the Station where you will find taxis. At that hour of the morning should take about 5 to 10 minutes to the Airport at a price of around € 8 to 10 + bag surcharge.

Near the taxi stand you will also find the departure point for the Carris Aeroshuttle bus. This leaves every 30 minutes between 07:00 and 23:00 and goes directly to the airport for a cost of +- € 3.00

See this page for more details:

www.carris.pt/en/index.php…

Lisbon Metro operating hours & early morning taxi

See this page:

http://www.metrolisboa.pt/Default.aspx?tabid=533

First trains depart respective terminals at 06.30

Last trains depart respective terminals at 01:00

Weekend trains times depend on which line/lines you are using. They vary between 08:00 minutes and 11:00 minutes between trains, according to the site .

Early morning taxi from Hotel to Airport - Get the Hotel to get one for you and confirm the price, and write it down. There may be surcharges for bags and night surcharge. If any problem at the airport, call a policeman...there are usually a lot on duty outside arrivals and they have been cracking down on taxis recently.

Albufeira to Lagos

It is possible to get a train from Albufeira STATION to Lagos. However, Albufeira STATION is situated in Figueiras, a village about 7km from Albufeira itself. While there are some buses between the two it is a bit of a drag.

You would be much better getting the bus between Albufeira and Lagos.

Eva Transport bus timetable from Albufeira Bus Station to Lagos:

http://www.eva-bus.com/home_pesquisa2008.php?lang=PT&servico=0&origem=Albufeira%28T.Cali%E7os%29&destino=Lagos&Procurar=Ok

Also on the right hand side of this blog you will find a panel entitled

»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

There you will find an entry entitled:

»» Algarve Regional Line Train Timetable

Click on it for the latest railway Timetable for the Algarve line which includes Albufeira STATION to Lagos.

Meia Praia Developments - Update

1) Work on the Vila Galé Hotel is moving towards completion with a projected opening date of 25th April 2009.

2) Together with the Vila Galé project, the IberHotel project half way along Meia Praia and the massive earthworks associated with the expansion of the Palmares Golf Course at the other end of Meia Praia, the main Meia Praia road has become a race track for large dump trucks spewing dirt everywhere. Not Nice!

3) The access road to and through Palmares golf course has been so damaged by heavy vehicles at both the Meia Praia end and the Vale da Lama end, that it reminds me of rural roads in the poorest developing countries. Not conducive to a quiet day at the links.

In Summary, avoid Palmares till the work's done.

Lagos Taxis

All the taxis in Lagos are part of a co-operative which has a monopoly.

I know a young Portuguese man who works a second job as a local taxi driver at night and I offered to put his own number on my blog to help him get business. He said he was not allowed to privately tout for work and all business had to come through the co-op.

It is an absolute rip off. I live in Meia Praia and when I need to get a cab into or out of town, not only are the prices ridiculous but often the taxis will not come here as they don't make enough on it!
When I have to get an early morning train to Faro or Lisbon, I have to make sure I travel with a suitcase I can wheel to Meia Praia Halt as dragging it all the way to Lagos Station is not on.

Unfortunately,neither the local Camara nor the regional tourism authorities appear to be aware or want to be aware of a problem that causes a lot of hassles for tourists.

Liberalisation of the local taxi system would reduce prices, would reduce costs of getting to and from Faro Airport, and would create jobs.

Prices here are also crazy when compared to the prices of taxis in Lisbon.

There may be a case for referring the taxi price monopoly in Lagos and other towns throughout the EU with similar problems through to the competition authorities in Brussels but that's beyond my competence to say.

That's also why it is usually much more cost effective to hire a car at Faro Airport on arrival and drive to, from and around Lagos.

Ryanair - Online Only Check-in

Europe's (rapidly becoming) unfavorite airline, Ryanair, announced today that, as from 2010, the only way to check-in for a Ryanair flight will be on-line over the Internet. Hencefifth, there will be no way to check-in at the airport. The Airline is also trying to screw people down on baggage.

For more information see:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7903656.stm

What this means for persons who are IT illiterate or otherwise disenfranchised, such as certain Senior Citizens, beggars belief!

Catholic Churches - Porto

I do not live anywhere near Porto so don't actually know specifically about services. However, have a look at this page (in Portuguese) which is about the Porto Cathedral.

http://www.diocese-porto.pt/catedral/igreja.htm

This is the link for the Diocese of Porto web site:

http://www.diocese-porto.pt/

If you click on the Links item at top left of the page you will come to a list of parishes with websites in the Diocese including Porto.