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|
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) 289 889 440 |
|
Europcar Internacional |
 Tel:
(+351) 289 889 447 - Easyjet partner |
|
Hertz - HR Aluguer de Automóveis |
Tel: (+351) 289 818 248 |
|
National / Guerin |
 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 818726 |
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. |
|
Algarvetransfersdirect |
Airport transfers to Luz. Instant Quote on-line. Pay the
driver. Also Golf Course transfers. 03/2007 |
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. |
| |
|
|
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. |
|
Depart Airport for Faro Centre - Mon - Fri |
| 07:10 |
07:45 |
08:00 |
08:25 |
| 08:30 |
09:05 |
09:30 |
10:10 |
| 11:15 |
12:10 |
12:50 |
13:30 |
| 14:10 |
15:05 |
16:35 |
17:10 |
| 18:05 |
18:30 |
19:30 |
20:00 |
| 20:40 |
|
|
Depart Airport for Faro Centre - Sat, Sun and Holidays |
| 08:00 |
08:30 |
09:05 |
10:10 |
| 11:15 |
12:50 |
13:30 |
14:10 |
| 16:35 |
17:10 |
18:30 |
19:30 |
|
Depart Faro |
Arrive Lagos |
Depart Lagos |
Arrive Faro |
| 08:00 |
09:45 |
07:00 |
08:45 |
| 09:00 |
10:45 |
08:30 |
10:15 |
| 12:30 |
14:15 |
10:15 |
12:00 |
| 14:30 |
16:15 |
12:15 |
14:00 |
| 16:30 |
18:15 |
15:00 |
16:45 |
| 17:30 |
19:15 |
17:15 |
19:00 |
Up
to date information
Eva-bus.net |
|
| There is a local bus from Lagos to Praia da
Luz (approx.10 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 ). |
|
Depart Lagos* |
Arrive Luz |
Depart Luz |
Arrive Lagos |
| 07.50 |
10-15 mins later |
07.30 |
10 - 15 mins later |
| 08.55 |
|
08.22 |
|
| 11.05 |
|
09.50 |
|
| 13.10 |
|
11.47 |
|
| 14.55 |
|
14.30 |
|
| 16.30 |
|
15.47 |
|
| 17.40 |
|
17.17 |
|
| 18.20 |
|
18.35 |
|
| 19.15 |
|
19.00 |
|
* Bus Stop Infante (by the car park on the seafront - nearest to
shopping centre). Current fare (2006) €1.64. Stops at the Intermarche
(Superstore). The bus takes the old road into Luz. The service (81) starts
at Lagos and continues to Burgau and Salema. | |
