Sorry for the delay in reply.
There are various options for driving from Lisbon to Lagos and Faro.
The Coastal route. There are various variants via Setubal, Troia Peninsula, Sines, Vila Nova Milfontes, Odeceixe, Aljezur to Lagos.
The bulk of this route is 3 metre single lane each way asphalt. Transit time to Lisbon dependent on traffic 5 to 6 hours although I have done it in 3hrs30mins when pushing it.Speed is restricted to 90km/hr.
The route is scenic but with curves in many places.
The Motorway Option. There is a main Arterial Toll Motorway (A2) running from Lisbon to the Algarve (Paderne) where it joins the Via de Infante (A22) Algarve Spinal Motorway. Lisbon to Lagos by this route can be done in 2hrs:30mins.
Parallel to that route is the old main route from Lisbon to the Algarve. (IC1) The bulk of this route is 3 metre single lane each way asphalt with passing lanes. Speed is restricted to 90km/hr.
There are other longer routes through the Alentejo including via Beja to Alcoutim to Castro Marim and then back along the Algarve coast to Lagos.
Essentially, to recap there are probably about 20+ variants on this route. Recommending a single route would be dependent on your interests.
Finally, remember when hiring a car to specify automatic shift, as most hire cars this side of the pond are manual shift.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Porto to Lagos - Summer 2009
Both options are equally feasible.
My partner often goes up to Porto from Lagos to teach. She takes the train. The only problem is that the first 60kms from Lagos to Tunes Junction is on a local Algarve Line rattler.
The benefit of the train is that you can get up and walk around, go to the on-board cafe.
There are two Hi-Speed Alfa Pendular though trains per day from Porto to Tunes and vice versa.
If you go to my blog here,
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/porto-to-lagos-summer-2009.html
(Click on image to enlarge)
I have published an extract from the current Portuguese railways timetable for the run Porto to Lagos.
Transit time is between 6hrs45mins and over 8 hours.
There are two bus operators on the route. Renex and Rede Expressos.
Only Renex neatly ties in with the train as its Lisbon Station is at Gare Oriente.
Rede Expressos may be the best bus option. However, at time of writing, their website was down. Transit time will be about 7:hrs + but one would have to change train in Lisbon.
Renex takes 3hrs:30mins from Porto to Lisbon and 4hrs:30mins from Lisbon to Lagos.
The bus stops en route between Lisbon and Lagos.
The bus route is not as scenic as the Train route and you can't move around.
Personally for not much more I would normally recommend the train.
My partner often goes up to Porto from Lagos to teach. She takes the train. The only problem is that the first 60kms from Lagos to Tunes Junction is on a local Algarve Line rattler.
The benefit of the train is that you can get up and walk around, go to the on-board cafe.
There are two Hi-Speed Alfa Pendular though trains per day from Porto to Tunes and vice versa.
If you go to my blog here,
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/porto-to-lagos-summer-2009.html
(Click on image to enlarge)
I have published an extract from the current Portuguese railways timetable for the run Porto to Lagos.
Transit time is between 6hrs45mins and over 8 hours.
There are two bus operators on the route. Renex and Rede Expressos.
Only Renex neatly ties in with the train as its Lisbon Station is at Gare Oriente.
Rede Expressos may be the best bus option. However, at time of writing, their website was down. Transit time will be about 7:hrs + but one would have to change train in Lisbon.
Renex takes 3hrs:30mins from Porto to Lisbon and 4hrs:30mins from Lisbon to Lagos.
The bus stops en route between Lisbon and Lagos.
The bus route is not as scenic as the Train route and you can't move around.
Personally for not much more I would normally recommend the train.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Pedestrian access to Meia Praia
I live in Meia Praia.
I can confirm that the situation remains exactly as you state.
The crossing at Duna Beach Club operated by the Tivoli Hotel and the other way via the railway station are the only two official ways to cross the railway line.
People do wander over the tracks as these have not yet been fenced like the stretch along Meia Praia between Duna Beach Club and Meia Praia Halt.
This will probably change if and when the new hotel development planned for the area between Dunas do Mar and the Railway line is built.
If crossing the line at none official points look left, right and left again! :)))) Trains do have a habit of sneaking up when you least expect them.
I can confirm that the situation remains exactly as you state.
The crossing at Duna Beach Club operated by the Tivoli Hotel and the other way via the railway station are the only two official ways to cross the railway line.
People do wander over the tracks as these have not yet been fenced like the stretch along Meia Praia between Duna Beach Club and Meia Praia Halt.
This will probably change if and when the new hotel development planned for the area between Dunas do Mar and the Railway line is built.
If crossing the line at none official points look left, right and left again! :)))) Trains do have a habit of sneaking up when you least expect them.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Youth hostels?
The main Antipodean and US Backpackers scene in the Algarve is centred on Lagos.
We have at least three youth hostels and lots of bars.
These include:
http://www.risingcock.com/
http://3monkeys.me.uk/monkeyhouse/
http://www.goldcoasthostel.com/
The first two are presently full of folk and there we at least two beach parties last week.
If you want to party in the Algarve this is where it is at!
We have at least three youth hostels and lots of bars.
These include:
http://www.risingcock.com/
http://3monkeys.me.uk/monkeyhouse/
http://www.goldcoasthostel.com/
The first two are presently full of folk and there we at least two beach parties last week.
If you want to party in the Algarve this is where it is at!
Lisbon to Badajoz
There is no train service currently operating between Lisbon and Badajoz.
There are several daily long distance bus lines departing from both Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station and Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station.
http://www.intercentro.pt operate three daily services departing Lisbon at:
09:30
14:30
21:30
Transit time is 3hrs:15mins.
Note arrival time is local time and Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portuguese Time.
If you go to the bottom of the following page on Cubsur's site you will find information on other services.
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
Tickets for International Services like these can only be purchased at the ticket offices up to 30 minutes prior to departure.
There are several daily long distance bus lines departing from both Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station and Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station.
http://www.intercentro.pt operate three daily services departing Lisbon at:
09:30
14:30
21:30
Transit time is 3hrs:15mins.
Note arrival time is local time and Spanish time is one hour ahead of Portuguese Time.
If you go to the bottom of the following page on Cubsur's site you will find information on other services.
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm
Tickets for International Services like these can only be purchased at the ticket offices up to 30 minutes prior to departure.
Lisbon - Oviedo
Regretably, this will not be an easy routing.
There are no easy direct train services.
Asla.es operate a daily coach service as follows:
Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station:19:30
La Coruna: 06:00 next day
La Coruna: 09:30
Ovideo: 14:00
There are no easy direct train services.
Asla.es operate a daily coach service as follows:
Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station:19:30
La Coruna: 06:00 next day
La Coruna: 09:30
Ovideo: 14:00
Noise Pollution and Rental Property Licensing - Algarve
This is a bit of a complex subject and I should warn that not even local solicitors are likely to give you a full and correct answer.
1) As far as I know planning applications for entire developments (urbanizações) of the type you are describing would not have been required to have been declared whether they were to be used for tourism use when constructed.
I live in Lagos in a similar property and as far as I know from the escritura there were no restrictions on the full development being used for tourism rentals.
Several units on our block are rented out and it can be uncomfortable between 15th July and end of August but that is the price we pay for a great sea view.
2) As regards individual properties these do require licenses.
The law was introduced in the late 90's but not applied by many councils. A year or two ago several Camara's realised they needed new revenue streams and started applying the law. The result is that many people have taken their properties of the "official" rental market.
Have a look at this link which may explain things a bit more clearly.
http://www.expatfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17890
However, as far as I know the law does not cover things such as noise pollution.
Your only hope might be to check with the Camara to see if the properties in question have "Licença de Alojamento Local" and if not stir things up that way.
Alternatively, you might try raising the issue with the German Rental Agency.
I would point out that this is not restricted to just German tourists.
British, Irish and Dutch Tourists have a similiar reputation at this end of the Algarve.
1) As far as I know planning applications for entire developments (urbanizações) of the type you are describing would not have been required to have been declared whether they were to be used for tourism use when constructed.
I live in Lagos in a similar property and as far as I know from the escritura there were no restrictions on the full development being used for tourism rentals.
Several units on our block are rented out and it can be uncomfortable between 15th July and end of August but that is the price we pay for a great sea view.
2) As regards individual properties these do require licenses.
The law was introduced in the late 90's but not applied by many councils. A year or two ago several Camara's realised they needed new revenue streams and started applying the law. The result is that many people have taken their properties of the "official" rental market.
Have a look at this link which may explain things a bit more clearly.
http://www.expatfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17890
However, as far as I know the law does not cover things such as noise pollution.
Your only hope might be to check with the Camara to see if the properties in question have "Licença de Alojamento Local" and if not stir things up that way.
Alternatively, you might try raising the issue with the German Rental Agency.
I would point out that this is not restricted to just German tourists.
British, Irish and Dutch Tourists have a similiar reputation at this end of the Algarve.
Taxi or Private transfer Faro Airport to Burgau
The ANA Faro Airport airport winter 2008/2009 guide quotes a recommended price of between € 93.00 and € 144.00 for 4/6 persons from Faro to Burgau depending on time of travel.
I would suggest as Diskwizz has said that a private transfer may be more economical.
I used the following site in April to transfer 2 students from Faro to Lagos. Worked a dream.
http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/faro-airport/index.php
I would suggest as Diskwizz has said that a private transfer may be more economical.
I used the following site in April to transfer 2 students from Faro to Lagos. Worked a dream.
http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/faro-airport/index.php
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Lisbon to Lagos
Provided you travel down by public transport I would think Lagos would be ideal for you this summer.
I refer to the public transport issue as the town centre will be a disaster this summer owing to ongoing and delayed roadworks.
You can get down from Lisbon by either long distance bus or train.
Cost will be between € 16:00 and € 23:00 per person each way dependent on which service you chose.
Buses:
Eva Transportes/Rede Expressos operate several daily services leaving Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station / Metro Jardim Zoologico Bus Station and taking approx 3hrs45min to Lagos.
Renex operate several daily services from Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station to Lagos. Transit time circa 4hrs30mins.
Trains
See Cubsur's excellent site here, complete with the Lisbon to Lagos Timetable.
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/006.htm#times
We have several great beaches here including the 5km long Meia Praia Beach. Lagos is on the world traveller/backpackers circuit and there are great bars, restaurants and hostels.
Lagos also retains the feel of a small Portuguese town thanks to its history, town walls and location.
If you want to get out for the day you can get by bus to places like Salema, Luz and Burgau where there are also nice beaches:
I refer to the public transport issue as the town centre will be a disaster this summer owing to ongoing and delayed roadworks.
You can get down from Lisbon by either long distance bus or train.
Cost will be between € 16:00 and € 23:00 per person each way dependent on which service you chose.
Buses:
Eva Transportes/Rede Expressos operate several daily services leaving Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station / Metro Jardim Zoologico Bus Station and taking approx 3hrs45min to Lagos.
Renex operate several daily services from Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station to Lagos. Transit time circa 4hrs30mins.
Trains
See Cubsur's excellent site here, complete with the Lisbon to Lagos Timetable.
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/006.htm#times
We have several great beaches here including the 5km long Meia Praia Beach. Lagos is on the world traveller/backpackers circuit and there are great bars, restaurants and hostels.
Lagos also retains the feel of a small Portuguese town thanks to its history, town walls and location.
If you want to get out for the day you can get by bus to places like Salema, Luz and Burgau where there are also nice beaches:
Seville Airport - Late night arrival
Be aware that there are no hotels really near Seville airport and that taxis charge an arm and a leg for the run even to the nearest hotel.
This is the Ibis Sevilla
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3207-ibis-sevilla/index.shtml
I have stayed there several times. The only problem is that it is not well served by public transport.
You might be better getting a bus from the Airport to town, staying in a hotel in town, and arranging to pick up your car from the town office of the car hire firm. Buses run till after midnight
The bus timetable from Seville airport to Sta. Justa and the terminus at El Prado can be found here:
http://www.tussam.es/index.php?id=200
Several firms have offices in the vicinity of the Sta. Justa Station at the end of Avda. Kansas City which runs in from the Airport. There are several hotels in that area as well.
This is the Ibis Sevilla
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3207-ibis-sevilla/index.shtml
I have stayed there several times. The only problem is that it is not well served by public transport.
You might be better getting a bus from the Airport to town, staying in a hotel in town, and arranging to pick up your car from the town office of the car hire firm. Buses run till after midnight
The bus timetable from Seville airport to Sta. Justa and the terminus at El Prado can be found here:
http://www.tussam.es/index.php?id=200
Several firms have offices in the vicinity of the Sta. Justa Station at the end of Avda. Kansas City which runs in from the Airport. There are several hotels in that area as well.
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