Getting Around, Albufeira Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal)
Transport to and from Albufeira is easy to arrange, thanks to the city's excellent rail network and its proximity to the airport in nearby
Faro. This popular international resort receives plenty of traffic throughout the year, with planes travelling to cities all over Europe.
Public transportation on the ground includes buses, ferries and a tourist train, although many tourists arrange a hire car for travel to secluded beaches and coastal villages outside of Albufeira. Taxis are also available and best suited for short journeys.
Faro Airport (FAO) / Arriving by Air
Address: 8001 Faro, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 800 617
The closest airport to Albufeira is to the east in Faro, and can be reached in less than 45 minutes by taxi or hire car. The terminal serves upwards of 5.5 million passengers each year and is a base for discount flier Ryanair. Flights run all over Europe, with more than a dozen daily connections to the UK during the high season. Most tourists travel to Albufeira via a hire car or by taxi, although it is sometimes possible to arrange an airport pick-up through local hotels.
Faro Airport (FAO) Guide
Car Rental
Hiring a car in Albufeira is an especially convenient option, as there are so many coastal villages and remote beaches worth visiting when you have this mobility. Whilst it is quite possible to arrange a rental car pick-up in the city proper, most visitors take care of this after disembarking at Faro Airport.
Buses and Coaches
Eva Bus operates a service to cities all over Greater Portugal. The most common route connects to
Lisbon and takes a little less than three hours to complete. Local bus transport can be used for getting around the Algarve, although these are slowed down by frequent stops. Budget travellers can save plenty of cash by sticking to local buses.
Trains
Trains connect Albufeira to Lisbon in around three hours. There are multiple daily departures, including several high-speed options that complete the journey in two and a half hours. Locally, trains travel to and from Faro in 30 minutes or less. Opposite this, a blue tourist train conducts a loop between the Old Town and the Strip.
Taxis
Taxis abound in Albufeira, but they are only allowed to pick up passengers at designated ranks, conveniently sprinkled across the central districts so that you're never far from a drop-off point. If you find a good driver, it's an idea to carry their card so you can call them if you need to take advantage of their pre-book service. As there are no meters in local taxis, be sure to agree on a price before setting out.
Boats and Ferries
With such excellent rail and road networks, passenger ferries are of limited value. Pleasure cruises, on the other hand, are quite convenient and can be booked at the marina, which is situated just a short distance to the west of the city centre. Cruises typically take in key sites along the coast and serve refreshments.
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