Faro is the biggest city and second most populous municipality in the Algarve and most important railway station in the region. Faro is very popular among tourists thanks to cheap flights from all over Europe. It is also a perfect starting point for railway trips around Algarve. Regional trains in Faro connect city with popular seaside resorts and historic towns in Algarve. There are also long-distance trains from Faro to Lisbon and Porto.
Train station in Faro is located close to the city center and six kilometers from the Faro International Airport. There are no trains from Faro to Airport but you can take taxi or the circuit 16 bus – tickets are relatively cheap.
There is a second train stop in Faro – Bom Joao, located approximately 800 meters from the city center. It is a small train stop without any facilities, excerpt for platforms and benches. Trains from Faro to Vila Real de Santo António stop here.
Trains in Faro – Algarve line
Regional trains connect Faro with most important towns and cities in Algarve. The Algarve line crosses the entire region from east to west and has a total length of about 140 kilometers. There is a total 30 stations on the route.
Trains run on the following routes:
Faro – Lagos
Faro – Vila Real de Santo António
If you travel westbound, you can plan train trips:
Faro – Albufeira
Faro – Silves
Faro – Portimao
If you travel eastbound, you can visit following places:
Faro – Olhão
Faro – Tavira
Currently, rolling stock fleet is very old and neglected. Trains are not equipped with air-conditiong and travelling by train in Algarve in heatwaves is unbearable. Seat reservation is not required in regional trains. You don’t need to buy ticket in advance. It’s worth arriving at the train station 30 minutes before the train departure, as queues sometimes form at the ticket counter.
In the nearest future rolling stock fleet in Algarve will be replaced with new air-conditioned trains.
Sometimes railway stations in popular tourist destinations in Algarve are located far from the cities:
Train Faro – Albufeira (railway station Albufeira-Ferreiras is located 8 km from the city centre)
Train Faro – Vilamoura (railway station Loulé is located 11 km from Vilamoura)
Train Faro – Silves (railway station Silves is located 3 km from the city centre)
Long-distance trains in Faro
There are trains from Faro to Lisbon and Porto.
Alfa Pendular trains is a high speed electric multiple units.
Intercity trains are comprised of locomotive and 1st and 2nd class carriages.
Seat reservation in all long-distance trains in Faro is compulsory. During high season advance booking is highly recommended.
Portuguese Railways – timetable and online shop
International trains from Faro
There are no trains from Faro to Spain.
Tourist attractions in Faro:
– medieval cathedral of Faro
– Castelo de Faro
– city gates
– historic centre
– Regional Museum of Algarve
– Algarve Life Sciences Center
– Faro Municipal Museum
– small Maritime Museum
– Nature Park of Ria Formosa in the surrounding area
Related articles:
Train travel in Portugal
Railway station in Faro
Tourist train to Barril Beach
