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Tip: Double click anywhere on the page (except when over links) to return to the top of the page.
Tip: For these tips and more detail click on the at the top of any page.
|
Transport to and whilst in the Algarve |
Below are some links, that I have found and used, to sites which cover the following: Information on Airports that serve Portugal and the Algarve. Places where it is possible to get 'Cheap'
Flights and reasonable Car Hire, Also if you don't need a car for your stay, transfer services between the (Faro) Airport and the town of Luz, or alternatively Bus and Train timetables from Faro
to Lagos / Luz.
Any comments included are my own, if you have something to add, had an agreeable or disagreeable experience ( especially when using the services through any of the links I've listed ) with
let me know so I can 'pass them on' here. |
|
|
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|
 |
| Faro ( FAO ) |
Name: Aeroporto de Faro.
Airport Information:
Click Here
Distance to Luz: 70km (45Mins) |
| Lisboa ( LIS ) |
Name: Aeroporto da Portela
Airport Information:
Click Here
Distance to Luz: 295km (2:30Hrs) |
| Porto ( OPO ) |
Name: Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro
Airport Information:
Click Here
Distance to Luz: 640km (5:30Hrs) |
 |
| Flight prices are totally unpredictable. Booking as early as possible must be the rule of thumb, but if you are fortunate to have a flexible timetable there are some
great prices to be had. Broadly speaking, choose days other than weekends to travel and consider unpopular times such as first thing in the morning or last thing at night e.g., a 06.00 flight can
be £30 / 50 cheaper than a 10.00 flight. |
|
Nov. 2007 Update: Airlines are now charging for all bags in the hold, there is no one bag per person free anymore. Be sure to book baggage in advance
(about £10 per item return) otherwise you will be charged £10 per item each way! You can get away with a slightly larger item cabin baggage than previously allowed (don't forget the liquids
restrictions in cabin baggage though, see drop down below) but best check this before you arrive at the airport. |
|
Click Here for current cabin baggage restrictions |
|
Airport Baggage Restrictions (2008)
Primary Cabin Baggage Limitations
- Only one item of cabin baggage per passenger is permitted through the airport search point. This item must be no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Other smaller bags, for example purses, are
allowed to be carried inside the cabin baggage.
- Where possible, you are asked to carry all liquid items in your hold baggage. This includes all bottles of drinks, creams, sprays, pastes and gels.
- Liquids (as listed above) must be in containers no larger than 100ml and all placed together in one transparent, re-sealable bag up to 20cm x 20cm. One bag per passenger is allowed.
Medicines
Liquid medicines are permitted through the search point in containers larger than 100ml, but they are subject to authentication. In this instance the passenger must have already gained prior
permission from their airline and the departure airport. A supporting document, signed by a qualified medical professional, will also need to be provided.
Medical Equipment
Medical equipment, essential for the use during the flight, is allowed through security in the one item of cabin luggage provided the passenger can show a supporting document, signed by a qualified
medical professional.
Baby Food
Liquid baby food or sterilised water for the flight is allowed. The accompanying adult will be asked to verify the contents by tasting.
Laptops and Electrical items
All electrical items will be screened separately. A laptop bag must either be classed as the one item of permitted cabin baggage or contained within this item if it is to be taken through the
search point.
Outsize Items and Musical Instruments
All items of luggage larger than the accepted size for cabin luggage must be checked before being placed in the aircraft hold. The only exception to this is musical instruments which may be taken
on as a second piece of cabin luggage if they do not fit in the bag. Musical instruments will need to be screened separately and the passenger must check with their airline whether any special
arrangements are required (for example- purchase of a second seat). |
|
Flightline.co.uk |
All airline search from one page. |
|
Flightsdirect.com |
All airline search from one page. |
|
Lastminute.com |
All airline search from one page. |
|
Lightbluetravel.co.uk |
Flights and Car Hire samples. |
|
Easyjet |
Can be very good if you're lucky / flexible with your timetable. Still hopeless if you're six foot plus. Managed to get cheaper prices for April 2007 compared with 2006.
02/2007 |
| XL |
Some good prices in May to October only. |
|
Flymonarch.com |
They have been pretty good on prices / availability lately. Tend to have slightly better legroom than Easyjet. Watch out though for possible hefty 'service' charges for some
dates. 11/2007 |
|
Gemstone Travel |
We've used this company many times and been well satisfied with the service and prices, but that was pre-online days (2005). As it is now part of Last Minute.com you might as
well go on-line to book. |
 |
Booking from the U.K. is easy, but be aware there are dangers in booking the cheapest you find. It is probably worth paying that bit extra and booking with a 'big
name' firm direct. I have come unstuck by paying an agent on-line and finding no car on arrival and no trace of the agents on my return home. Having said that it is still worth looking around and
of course now days you can book on-line directly with Portugal firms which is slightly more reliable.
Look for Rates which include: Unlimited Mileage, Third Party Insurance and Taxes.
You also need to consider Collision Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance or Full Insurance options. Any of these 'extras' can really bump up a 'cheap' base price. |
|
Algarve Car Rental |
Faro Airport:
(+351) 289 817 355 |
Luz:
(+351) 282 789 510 |
Lagos:
(+351) 282 761 961 |
| Quad Bikes, Scooters and Bicycles available at Luz branch ( by the church ). Some good prices to be had here. |
Luzcar  |
 A long established, and reliable 'company'. Not bad rates.
I've used them more often than the others, with no problem. |
| Master Kings |
 A new rental company opening at Lagos Marina from the beginning of June 2008.
All inclusive prices. Collection and Return to/from Faro Airport or Lagos. Look for opening promotions.
Where: Marina de Lagos ,Nucleo Gil Eanes , loja 8 8600-780
Lagos
Tel: (+351) 91 295 00 69
Fax: (+351) 289 819 960
Email: evacristinasantos |
|
Lightbluetravel.co.uk |
Flights and Car Hire samples. |
|
Holidayautos.co.uk |
Another possible option for booking in advance. |
|
Portugal-car-hire.com |
Rates from Faro Airport. |
|
Rentalcargroup.com |
Instant Price Comparisons (Budget/Europcar/Thrifty/Alamo) |
|
Cartrawler.com |
Used by travel agencies for price comparisons. Average prices. |
|
Gemstone Travel |
We've used this company many times and been well satisfied with the service and prices. ( Now a subsidiary of Lastminute.com but still as good
04/2005 ). |
Rental companies with fleets at Faro Airport |
| If you haven't booked in advance, most of the major car hire firms are represented at the airport with offices either in the airport and / or just outside the door.
You can get reasonable 'deals' depending on demand / season. If you use a 'partner' company to the airline you travelled on, show them your boarding card and you will normally still get the
discount that you would have if you had booked before travelling. I managed a 40% reduction (Nov 2007) from Sixt by showing my Monarch boarding ticket stub. |
|
Auto Jardim do Algarve |
 Tel:
(+351) 289 800 881 |
| Avis / Sovial Lda. |
 Tel: (+351) 289 889 456 - B.A. and T.A.P partner |
|
Budget / A. Castanheira |
 Tel: (+351) 210 323 605 |
| Europcar
/ National |
 Tel: (+351) 289 889 447
Leading European Car Rental company.
Easyjet partner. |
|
Hertz - HR Aluguer de Automóveis |
 Tel: (+351) 289 818 248 |
| Guerin |
 Car hire, Limo services.
Tel : (+351) 289 800 883 |
|
Rentauto / Machado & Monteiro |
Tel: (+351) 289 818 718 |
| Sixt Rent a Car / Globalrent |
 Tel: (+351) 289 818 294 - Monarch partner |
|
Alamo.co.uk |
 Tel: (+351) 289 818 726 |
Shuttle / Private Transfers to / from Faro / Luz |
| I've found that pre-booking transport to your accommodation whilst in the U.K. ( or anywhere else for that matter ) is a painless
operation and can be extremely useful. If you are visiting a town or resort for the first time you are more than likely to spend the first few days just walking about to see the sights and get
your bearings. In which case why have a rental car sitting outside doing nothing? If you need a car later during your holiday it is easy to rent one for a day or two when required. There is
nothing better ( especially after a very early or late night flight ) than having someone to meet you in arrivals at the airport, taking care of your luggage and driving you to the door of your
destination, definitely a stress free start to your holiday. Depending on your numbers and your destination you can get a private transfer or a shared transfer, costs vary accordingly. Either way
the costs should be no more than getting a taxi from the rank outside the airport. From Faro Airport will cost about €65 to €80. If you have not paid in advance (e.g. on-line) you should check the
price with the driver
before travelling, don't be afraid to query anything that does not match the rate you were originally quoted. |
|
a-t-s.net |
Advertised by Easyjet and by far the cheapest I've found so far. |
| Transfers |
Faroprivatetransfers.com
Airport transfers to Luz. Book on-line. €145 Euros return ( 1 to 4 ), €160 Euros return ( 5 to 8 ). Pay the driver. Also Golf Course transfers. 12/2008 |
| Transfers |
Algarvetransfersdirect.com
Airport transfers to Luz. Book on-line. €145 130 Euros return ( 1 to 4 ), €160 150 Euros return ( 5 to 8 ). Pay the driver. Also Golf Course transfers.
Prices reduced for 2009! 01/2009 |
Polotur  |
Airport transfers to Luz. Instant Quote on-line. Pay in advance or driver. Tried this in June (07) and found them spot on. Courteous and prompt service. Reliable. €140 return
for a private (mini bus) transfer for six adults + luggage (door to door). 06/2007 |
|
Shuttledirect |
Airport transfers to Luz. Instant Quote on-line. Pay in advance or driver. A bit more expensive than above.
02/2007 |
|
Low-cost-transfer |
Airport transfers to Luz. Instant Quote on-line. Pay in advance or driver. A bit more expensive than above.
02/2007 |
 
Bicycle and Motorbike Hire |
| An alternative to your regular means of transport. I would suggest a good level of fitness a prime requirement before contemplating bicycle touring ( see the
things to do page for organised tours ). The terrain can be a little hilly to say the least. Surprisingly you don't see a lot of two wheeled
transport being used in the Algarve but scrambler type motorcycles have got to be ideal for some of those more inaccessible places and great fun. |
|
Algarve Car Rental |
Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorbikes and Quad Bikes for rent in Luz. |
| |
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|
Albufeira |
|
Aljezur |
81 |
|
Almancil de pera |
97 |
26 |
|
Alvor |
53 |
49 |
37 |
|
Amacio |
25 |
34 |
66 |
18 |
|
Faro |
47 |
66 |
13 |
10 |
39 |
|
Lagoa |
54 |
13 |
12 |
41 |
56 |
25 |
|
Lagos |
26 |
80 |
39 |
19 |
67 |
30 |
51 |
|
Loule |
68 |
42 |
16 |
35 |
54 |
8 |
98 |
27 |
|
Monchique |
75 |
41 |
33 |
87 |
46 |
29 |
74 |
71 |
58 |
|
Olhao |
95 |
24 |
88 |
62 |
9 |
55 |
74 |
21 |
118 |
47 |
|
Portimao |
70 |
25 |
50 |
18 |
8 |
62 |
21 |
4 |
40 |
25 |
33 |
|
Quarteira |
52 |
30 |
77 |
11 |
70 |
4 |
22 |
37 |
56 |
9 |
100 |
29 |
|
Sagres |
102 |
63 |
120 |
736 |
100 |
32 |
58 |
112 |
71 |
51 |
99 |
42 |
83 |
|
St Bart. de messines |
83 |
35 |
33 |
53 |
58 |
33 |
51 |
36 |
45 |
29 |
37 |
32 |
81 |
21 |
|
S.Bras de portal |
46 |
113 |
24 |
63 |
17 |
88 |
13 |
81 |
55 |
17 |
48 |
67 |
21 |
111 |
40 |
|
Silves |
6 |
17 |
66 |
52 |
16 |
70 |
41 |
50 |
34 |
8 |
62 |
21 |
20 |
43 |
64 |
33 |
|
Tavira |
85 |
22 |
68 |
135 |
4 |
85 |
20 |
110 |
35 |
103 |
77 |
29 |
70 |
89 |
43 |
133 |
62 |
|
V. Real |
23 |
108 |
45 |
91 |
158 |
69 |
108 |
43 |
133 |
58 |
126 |
100 |
52 |
93 |
112 |
66 |
150 |
85 |
|
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 |
| The train station is 5kms from the airport. Take a taxi or a bus, both from just outside the Arrivals entrance at Faro airport to the train station. You can then
take a train along the coast. Services tend to be infrequent and can be unreliable, but they are getting better. The journey to Lagos takes about 1¾
hours and costs around 10 Euros. Its then a ten minute taxi ride from Lagos station to Praia da Luz. Altogether the most cost effective way to get to Luz (but not the most practical if you have a
lot of luggage). |
|
Train Number: |
5900 |
5902 |
5904 |
5906 |
5908 |
5910 |
5912 |
|
Frequency: |
Daily |
| FARO |
07:07 |
10:48 |
12:00 |
13:09 |
17:00 |
17:48 |
19:26 |
| PARQUE DAS CIDADES |
07:14 |
10:56 |
12:07 |
13:16 |
17:07 |
17:55 |
19:33 |
| ALMANCIL |
--- |
--- |
--- |
13:21 |
17:12 |
18:00 |
--- |
| LOULE |
07:22 |
11:04 |
12:14 |
13:25 |
17:16 |
18:04 |
19:41 |
| VALE DE JUDEU |
--- |
--- |
--- |
13:29 |
17:20 |
--- |
--- |
| BOLIQUEIME |
07:30 |
11:13 |
12:21 |
13:34 |
17:25 |
18:11 |
19:49 |
| PATA |
--- |
--- |
--- |
13:38 |
17:29 |
--- |
--- |
| ALBUFEIRA |
07:38 |
11:21 |
12:29 |
13:44 |
17:35 |
18:19 |
20:02 |
| TUNES |
07:44 |
11:34 |
12:36 |
13:53 |
17:41 |
18:29 |
20:09 |
| ALGOZ |
07:50 |
11:40 |
12:42 |
13:59 |
17:47 |
18:35 |
20:15 |
| ALCANTARILHA |
07:56 |
11:44 |
12:47 |
14:03 |
17:52 |
18:39 |
20:20 |
| POCO BARRETO |
08:01 |
--- |
12:51 |
14:08 |
17:56 |
--- |
--- |
| SILVES |
08:07 |
11:53 |
12:58 |
14:14 |
18:05 |
18:48 |
20:28 |
| ESTOMBAR-LAGOA |
08:13 |
11:59 |
13:04 |
14:21 |
18:11 |
18:54 |
20:34 |
| FERRAGUDO |
08:17 |
12:03 |
13:08 |
14:25 |
18:15 |
18:58 |
20:38 |
| PORTIMAO |
08:21 |
12:07 |
13:13 |
14:29 |
18:19 |
19:03 |
20:43 |
| MEXILHOEIRA GRANDE |
08:32 |
12:16 |
13:22 |
14:38 |
18:28 |
19:14 |
20:52 |
| MEIA PRAIA |
08:38 |
12:22 |
--- |
14:44 |
--- |
19:19 |
--- |
| LAGOS |
08:42 |
12:26 |
13:30 |
14:48 |
18:36 |
19:24 |
21:00 |
| Be sure to check
train times. For more detailed information, contact the
Information Service. |
 |
The bus station is 6kms from the airport. There is a local bus service operating between the airport and Faro centre about every hour. The stop is also just outside
arrivals. During the high season ( summer months ) a special Aerobus service connects with the town centre. As most arrivals are heading west to Albufeira and further you'll need to get the bus
from the airport to Faro bus station then catch the fast 'Tranrapido' bus service along the coast. Purchase tickets in advance in Faro bus station. Services are limited at weekends on normal
lines. To make sure you don't miss connections in Faro it's a good idea to take a taxi to the bus station. There are buses that run from Faro to Lagos (approx one and a half hours).
The times shown are the current published, however there may be some changes during the season. So check before travelling using the link at the foot of the table. |
| TRANSRAPIDO - Faro <> Lagos - Normal Daily Service |
| Faro Terminus > Lagos Terminus |
Lagos Terminus > Faro Terminus |
| Depart |
Arrive |
Depart |
Arrive |
| 08.00 |
10.10 |
07.00 |
09.00 |
| 09.05 |
11.15 |
08.30 |
10.35 |
| 12.30 |
14.40 |
10.30 |
12.40 |
| 14.30 |
16.40 |
12.35 |
14.45 |
| 16.25 |
18.40 |
15.00 |
17.10 |
| 17.25 |
19.40 |
17.15 |
19.30 |
- Not
Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays
Downloadable .pdf version
Faro > Lagos
Downloadable .pdf version
Lagos < Faro |
|
| There is a local bus from Lagos to Praia da Luz (approx.20 minutes) which stops near the centre of the town ( just up the hill from the square ) and also just as you come into
Luz on the 'old' road ( Rua Dirieta ). |
| ONDA Normal Daily Service ( Not Sundays or Holidays* ) |
|
Click here for the complete timetable |
| Depart Lagos* > Arrive Luz ( Church ) |
Depart Luz ( Church ) > Arrive Lagos* |
| Depart |
Arrive |
Depart |
Arrive |
Depart |
Arrive |
Depart |
Arrive |
| 07.01 |
07.21 |
15.51 |
16.19 |
07.11 |
07.34 |
16.01 |
16.24 |
| 07.41 |
08.09 |
16.31 |
16.59 |
07.51 |
08.14 |
16.41 |
17.04 |
| 08.21 |
08.49 |
17.11 |
17.39 |
08.41 |
09.04 |
17.21 |
17.44 |
| 09.11 |
09.39 |
17.51 |
18.19 |
09.21 |
09.44 |
18.01 |
18.24 |
| 09.51 |
10.19 |
18.31 |
18.59 |
10.01 |
10.24 |
18.41 |
19.04 |
| 10.31 |
10.59 |
19.11 |
19.39 |
10.41 |
11.04 |
19.21 |
19.44 |
| 11.11 |
11.39 |
19.51 |
20.19 |
11.21 |
11.44 |
20.01 |
20.24 |
| 11.51 |
12.19 |
20.31 |
20.59 |
12.01 |
12.24 |
20.41 |
21.04 |
| 12.31 |
12.59 |
21.11 |
21.39 |
12.41 |
13.04 |
21.01 |
21.24 |
| 13.11 |
13.39 |
21.51 |
22.19 |
13.21 |
13.44 |
21.41 |
22.04 |
| 13.51 |
14.19 |
22.31 |
22.59 |
14.01 |
14.24 |
22.01 |
22.24 |
| 14.31 |
14.59 |
23.11 |
23.39 |
14.41 |
15.04 |
22.41 |
23.04 |
| 15.11 |
15.39 |
|
|
15.21 |
15.44 |
23.21 |
00.04 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
00.01 |
00.24 |
* Bus Stop Infante ( by the car park on the seafront - nearest to shopping centre ) halfway down the Av. Descobrimentos / Marina. Current fare ( 2008 ) €1.70. Stops at the Intermarche
(Superstore). The bus takes the old road into Luz. |
|
