Sagres is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Portugal, and lies at the far western tip of the Algarve.

The main international airport of the Algarve is at Faro, 116km or a 1h10minute drive to the east of Sagres. This considerable distance means that it is advisable to plan your onward transfer before arriving in Portugal.

Sagres' small size and remoteness means there is very limited public transport to it, and any journey will take a long time. If you do wish to travel by public transport, the route has two stages; Faro Airport to the city of Lagos and then a bus from Lagos to Sagres. There are decent public transport options between the airport and Lagos, and include a direct bus service (Aerobus, €12, May-October) or a train (€7.50, year-round) from Faro city. The bus service from Lagos to Sagres is much more limited (details later in this guide)

Due to the length of the transfer, most visitors to Sagres take some type of taxi/car/coach transfer from the airport. These options include very expensive taxis, ride-hailing apps (such as Uber/Bolt), shared minibus transfers or - if you're organised - a pre-booked private transfer.
This guide will detail all of your options for travelling from Faro Airport to Sagres, and help you choose the best one.
Related articles: Sagres introduction

The flight path into Faro Airport flies over the city of Faro

If you're reading this guide before your holiday to Sagres, it is strongly recommended that you book a private transfer. A private transfer is the only sensible option for travelling to Sagres in one day after a flight. A private transfer to Sagres can cost as little as €98.00 (2023 prices), if booked far enough in advance. Details of the best transfer companies can be found later in this article.

If you're reading this guide just before or after landing at Faro Airport, your options are much more restrictive and may cost a lot. There are shared transfer coaches, but they may not go as far as Sagres or even have space during the summer.

There are taxis (€140-180) and Uber/Bolt (slightly cheaper, at €91- €100), but there is high demand in the summer.

If you want to save money and are happy with a longer journey, then you could choose public transport (full details later in this guide). Note: The Aerobus to Lagos only operates from May to October, and the last train to Lagos is at 20:50, which departs from Faro train station (6km, 10min taxi ride from the airport). From Lagos to Sagres, you will need to catch an infrequent bus or take a Taxi/Uber.

Our opinion: If you are at the planning stage of your holiday, we would recommend a night's stay in Lagos before going to Sagres. With this approach, you could catch the bus or train to Lagos and then catch the bus to Sagres the following day. Lagos is a great city to visit.

Faro Airport is modern, but will be busy during the peak season

A private transfer is the best and fastest method of travel from Faro Airport to Sagres. This also has the added convenience of having a driver waiting for you at the airport.

The best transfer company regarded by people who live and work in the Algarve is Yellow Fish. They are the largest transfer company in the Algarve, with a fleet of modern cars and professional drivers.

A private transfer from Faro Airport to Sagres in 2023 can cost as little as €98.40 if booked far enough in advance (but in peak season, expect it to cost up to €140). Further details can be found on the Yellow Fish website: www.yellowfishtransfers.com.

Insight: Many of the transfer companies provide prices based on demand. Booking the transfer two months in advance will ensure the lowest prices, while leaving it to the last minute will always result in higher prices. If there are higher prices, compare the three transfer companies listed above.

Insight 2: There are many third-party booking websites offering private transfers, these are always more expensive to cover their costs. Hotels and travel agencies typically add 10-15% on the basic price of an airport transfer. Always book directly with a transfer company for the best price.

A Yellow Fish minibus at the airport drop-off point

The journey by public transport to Sagres will take much longer than a direct transfer, but it will be much cheaper. The journey has two stages; from Faro Airport to Lagos, and Lagos to Sagres and your accommodation.

There are two different options for travelling from Faro Airport to Lagos, either the train (year-round) or the Aerobus (May to October). The advantage of the Aerobus is that it departs from the airport, and is the better choice during the summer season.

Once in Lagos, there is a bus service to Sagres, which takes 55minutes. You may choose to take a taxi (€40-45) or Uber (€38).

The Algarve regional train

The Aerobus (bus route 56) is the best option for travelling by public transport to Lagos. The only issue is the limited number of departures and that it only runs during the high season (May to October).

The Aerobus has six departures per day (Monday to Friday) with the last departure being at 19:30. At the weekend and on public holidays, there are only five departures per day, with the last bus leaving at 18:00. The Aerobus service is operated by Vamus, the public transport company of the Algarve, and the latest timetable can be seen on their website:
vamusalgarve.pt/#/ pt/vamus%20algarve/schedules
(Note: The bus route is 56)

The bus ticket costs €12.00, and the journey to Lagos takes 1 hour and 55minutes.

Insight: This bus service is the only connection from the airport to the entire central and western Algarve, so it can get very busy.

The bus stop at the airport is to the left of the main entrance when exiting it (GPS: 37.021344, -7.968876). In Lagos, the bus terminates at the Terminal Rodoviário bus station, and this is where the bus for Sagres departs from (GPS: 37.107227, -8.675795)

Sagres is 32km to the west of Lagos and is served by just a single bus route, the number 47 service. The bus departs from the Terminal Rodoviário bus station in Lagos and takes 55minutes to reach Sagres.

There are nine departures Monday to Friday but only 5 at the weekends, the latest timetable can be seen on the Vamus website (do check departure times as the 47 timetable is seasonal):
vamusalgarve.pt/#/ pt/vamus%20algarve/schedules
(Note: The Sagres bus is route 47, and continues on to the Cabo Sao Vicente)

There is no bus station in Sagres, and the main bus stop is the 'Posto Turismo’, which is in the city centre.

The bus to Sagres waiting at the very end of the route at the Cabo Sao Vicente, this is the south-western tip of Europe.

There is a slow regional train service that connects Faro (city) to Lagos. The journey takes 1h15 and only costs €7.50.

Insight: The train is the best option during the low season (Nov-Apr), or later in the evening after the last Aerobus departure.

The issue with train travel is that you will need to take a Taxi/Uber/bus from Faro Airport to the Faro train station. The number 16 bus connects the airport with central Faro, and there are departures every 30-50 minutes – the latest timetable is posted at the bus stop at the airport. The journey takes 20 minutes, and the fare is €2.50. Often it is easier just to catch a taxi to the train station (€10-15).

The last train departure is at 20:50, but you will then have to get a taxi or Uber to Sagres. The latest timetable can be seen on the Comboios de Portugal (CP) website:
www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/horarios/regional/comboios-regionais-vila-real-s.antonio-lagos.pdf

Faro train station is located just to the north of the city centre (GPS: 37.018410, -7.939675), and tickets must be purchased before boarding the train.

Lagos train station is on the eastern side of the city. From here it is a 10 min walk to the city centre and the bus station, where the bus to Sagres departs from.

Faro train station is small and easy for connections

The number 16 bus from the airport into Faro city centre

An alternative to the train is the express bus service from Faro bus station to Lagos (route 57), which takes 1h50min. The issue with the express bus is the same as the train; you have to travel into Faro city centre.

The other issue with the bus is that there are only two departures at the weekend and on holidays - Monday to Friday there are seven departures.

The latest timetable can be seen on the Vamus website:
vamusalgarve.pt/#/ pt/vamus%20algarve/schedules
Note: The Faro- Portimão bus is route 57

Insight: The train and bus station in Faro are very close to each other. It is advisable to check departure times for both the train and bus and take the first service.

The bus to Lagos waiting in Faro bus station