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The best independent guide to the Algarve
Algarve-Tourist.com
The best independent guide to the Algarve
Lisbon to Albufeira – the best ways to travel between Albufeira and Lisbon in 2026
Albufeira is the largest and liveliest resort town in the Algarve. Glorious beaches, buzzing nightlife and genuine Portuguese charm combine to make it one of the country's most popular holiday destinations. Lisbon is the vibrant capital city of Portugal, and is home to Portugal's main international airport.
Several options exist for travel between Albufeira and Lisbon: express trains, intercity coach services, or driving along the A2 expressway. The best choice depends on your budget, preferred level of comfort and whether you need a car in Lisbon.
The express train is the best option for most travellers. The journey takes 3 hours 9 minutes and costs €28.45. The only drawback is that Albufeira's station sits in the village of Ferreiras, 7km from the town centre.
This guide covers all transport options between Lisbon and Albufeira, with links to relevant transport companies and practical travel advice.
Related articles: Lisbon guide – Albufeira guide
Overview of travel options between Lisbon and Albufeira
The are many options for travelling between Lisbon and Albufeira, which include:
Private transfer is the fastest and most convenient option, though also the most expensive. This makes sense for groups of four sharing the cost.
Driving via the A2 expressway is the quickest route by car. The 255km journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes, cutting through the centre of the Alentejo region. Tolls are steep at €22.40. The A2 is a dull drive through the Portuguese interior with no worthwhile sights or detours.
Driving the Alentejo coastline (N120) offers a far more scenic alternative, though adds at least 100 minutes to the journey. The N120 is toll-free but slower, following single-carriageway roads. Depending on the exact route, tolls may apply on the A2 around Lisbon.
A warning about tolls: the management company has discovered that foreign tourists make excellent targets for fines. They pursue payments aggressively and have even been issuing fines from five years ago. Details on paying tolls appear at the end of this guide.
Train provides the most comfortable journey. Albufeira lies on the main north-south express route, with the journey taking 3 hours 9 minutes. Fares start at €28.45 for an adult ticket. The station is in Ferreiras, 7km north of Albufeira, requiring an additional journey by Uber or Bolt (€6 to €9), or bus (€1.70). The national train company is Comboios de Portugal (CP).
Rede Expressos (bus) is the main intercity bus company of Portugal and run direct services between Albufeira and Lisbon. Bus travel costs less than the train (typically €10 to €25) and the fastest services take just 2 hours 45 minutes, only 20 minutes longer than driving.
FlixBus has driven down coach travel prices across Portugal. Budget travellers can find fares as low as €3.50 when booking well in advance. The trade-off is packed buses during summer. FlixBus departs from the bus stop on Avenida da Liberdade rather than Albufeira's bus station.
Advice: Whichever option you choose, book directly with the transport company rather than through third-party resellers. This reduces booking fees and means better assistance if problems arise.
Comboios de Portugal - www.cp.pt
Rede Expressos - rede-expressos.pt
Flixbus - FlixBus
Intercity coach travel in Portugal is safe and comfortable. Both FlixBus and Rede Expressos operate modern vehicles.
Train, Bus or Low-Cost Bus?
Bus and train travel are broadly comparable for this route. The main differences come down to comfort and cost: trains are more spacious and relaxed, but pricier.
Public transport in Portugal offers excellent value. Two adult train fares from Lisbon to Albufeira cost roughly the same as the combined tolls and fuel when driving.
For most travellers, the train is the better choice for its extra space and comfort. Budget-conscious visitors should take FlixBus for the lowest fares.
A car serves no useful purpose for the Lisbon to Albufeira journey itself. Driving in the Algarve is easy and pleasant, but Lisbon presents a different challenge entirely: heavy traffic, confusing road layouts, erratic drivers and limited parking. If you want a car for the Algarve, take public transport from Lisbon and hire one in Albufeira.
The Intercidades (intercity) train to Albufeira pulling into Oriente in Lisbon
Book Seats in Advance
Book your train and bus tickets well ahead of travel. Early booking saves money and secures seats on popular services, which sell out during peak season.
The intercity trains between Lisbon and Tunes have limited capacity, and once sold out, no more tickets become available. Standing is not permitted on Alfa Pendular or Intercidades services to and from Lisbon.
Buses between Lisbon and the Algarve fill quickly in summer. Friday evening and weekend services are particularly prone to selling out.
Both FlixBus and Rede Expressos use dynamic pricing. Seats bought well in advance or on quieter services cost far less than last-minute bookings on popular routes. FlixBus generally undercuts Rede Expressos in summer, though checking both websites is worthwhile.
Lisbon to Albufeira by Train
Comboios de Portugal (CP), the national train company, operates the Albufeira to Lisbon railway.
Two train types run this route: the Alfa Pendular (AP) and the Intercidades (IC). The Alfa Pendular is the more modern service with marginally faster journey times. The Intercidades costs slightly less. An adult single on the Intercidades is €22.50; the Alfa Pendular costs €24.
Discounts apply for children (50%), under 25s (25%), seniors over 65 (50%) and return tickets (10%). Apply these during the options stage of online booking. If you're using an age-based discount, carry valid ID.
Each ticket is allocated a specific seat, and the number of seats is limited. Tickets must be pre-booked. The latest timetable appears on the CP website:
www.cp.pt
To purchase tickets use the CP website:
www.cp.pt/
Popular summer services sell out. Turning up at the station hoping for last-minute availability on express trains is a gamble unlikely to pay off.
Finding your carriage can cause confusion when trains arrive. Your ticket shows "Carruagen" (carriage) and "Lugar" (seat number). Look for the small sign near each carriage door displaying the carriage number. A carriage numbered "21" indicates the first carriage of second class, not that twenty-one carriages exist.
Alfa Pendular (AP) is the express train network of Portugal
Train Stations in Lisbon and Albufeira
All trains to Albufeira depart Lisbon from Estação do Oriente, situated to the northeast of the city in the Parque das Nações district (GPS: 38.767, -9.099 -link to Google Maps). The station connects to the red metro line, which also serves the airport.
Oriente functions as a busy transport interchange with metro, bus and train stations, but clear signage and plenty of lifts make navigation straightforward. The modern Vasco da Gama shopping centre sits opposite, with numerous restaurants and cafes.
Albufeira's station occupies the village of Ferreiras, 7km north of town (GPS: 37.128, -8.233). This small station has two platforms and a ticket office. A couple of cafes outside constitute the extent of local amenities.
The best transfer option between Albufeira and Ferreiras is a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Bolt. Expect to pay €6 to €9 via Uber or Bolt. Bus routes 5 and 11, operated by Vamus, serve the station. Route 11 connects to Avenida Liberdade and the centre of Albufeira, though neither route reaches the New Town or Santa Eulália areas. Full details: vamusalgarve.pt.
Demand for Uber and Bolt runs high in summer. If you're arriving from Lisbon, book your ride immediately upon exiting the train, before fellow passengers do the same.
The step down from the carriage to the platform at Albufeira is substantial. If you have mobility issues or are travelling with young children, speak with the guard if help or extra time is needed.
Related articles: Estação do Oriente
Porto to Albufeira
Two daily train services run between Albufeira and Porto: Alfa Pendular departures in early morning and early evening. The journey takes 5 hours 27 minutes and costs €76.50 for second class or €56.40 for first class.
rain travel is the sensible choice for such distances. The latest timetable appears on the CP website: www.cp.pt/
Porto deserves consideration as part of any Portuguese holiday. The city is equally as fascinating as Lisbon.
Related articles: The Algarve to Porto - Porto guide
Lisbon to Albufeira by Bus
Bus travel in Portugal is safe and inexpensive. The coaches used by Rede Expressos and FlixBus are smart and modern.
Rede Expressos is Portugal's main intercity bus company, covering routes throughout the country. As a conglomerate of smaller companies, the Lisbon to Lagos service may be operated by Renex, Mundial Turismo or Rede Expressos itself.
FlixBus operates along many popular Portuguese routes. Since it entered the market, bus travel prices have dropped significantly below train fares.
FlixBus services are cheapest when booked in advance but sell out during peak periods. FlixBus coaches tend to be busier than Rede Expressos equivalents.
Rede Expressos - rede-expressos.pt/
Flixbus - FlixBus
Both companies use dynamic pricing, with ticket costs rising closer to departure and during high demand.
Flixbus in Oriente bus station
Lisbon and Albufeira bus stations
Most Rede Expressos buses depart from Sete Rios bus station, (GPS: 38.741, -9.166), Lisbon's main terminal. It connects to the blue metro line via Jardim Zoológico station.
FlixBus departs from Estação do Oriente bus station (GPS: 38.767, -9.099), connected to the train station in the Parque das Nações district. The Oriente metro station on the red line provides access.
Always check your ticket for the departure location, particularly with Rede Expressos. Sete Rios often reaches capacity, and services may depart from Oriente instead.
Both stations are large and modern, with late-closing ticket offices and good facilities. While safe, common sense applies: pickpockets watch for easy opportunities.
Related articles: Sete Rios bus station
Sete Rios bus station in Lisbon
In Albufeira, Rede Expressos buses use Terminal Rodoviário de Albufeira, (GPS 37.098, -8.245), located inconveniently to the north of town. The bus station sits 1.8km from the Old Town centre and 2.7km from The Strip. A taxi or Uber is the practical option.
FlixBus avoids conventional bus stations to reduce costs. In Albufeira, the stop is on Avenida da Liberdade (GPS: 37.091, -8.254), northwest of the Old Town and around 3km from The Strip. A taxi, Uber or Bolt makes sense for this distance. Confirm the departure location shown on the FlixBus website before travel.
The FlixBus bus stop in Albufeira
Driving Between Lisbon and Albufeira via the A2
The route from Lisbon to Albufeira follows the A2 expressway. Tolls total €25.70, almost matching the cost of a train ticket.
Tolls are paid using the Via Verde transponder. Request one when you rent a car in Portugal. Details: visitors.viaverde.pt
For foreign-registered vehicles: www.portugaltolls.com/
A Via Verde transponder is highly recommended. Many Portuguese expressways have only automatic toll collection. To estimate toll costs:
The A2 passes through the Alentejo interior with nothing of interest along the way.
The coastal route via the N120 provides far more attractive scenery but takes considerably longer on single-carriageway roads that wind through the countryside. Worthwhile stops along the N120 include:
Odeceixe marks the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve, where the Seixe River meets the Atlantic. The village sits on a hillside a few kilometres inland, its whitewashed houses and narrow streets retaining an unhurried, authentic character. The beach is the real draw: a horseshoe of golden sand where the river creates a calm lagoon on one side, while Atlantic waves break on the other.
Zambujeira do Mar is a former fishing village perched on basalt cliffs above a beautiful beach. The whitewashed houses and terracotta roofs retain genuine Alentejo character.
Vila Nova de Milfontes is the largest town on the Alentejo coast, sitting where the Mira River flows into the Atlantic. The setting offers the best of both worlds: calm estuary beaches suitable for children alongside wild Atlantic surf beaches just minutes away. The old town is a tangle of cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings and excellent seafood restaurants. A 16th-century fortress, built to defend against North African pirates, overlooks the river.
Porto Covo is a picture-postcard fishing village of whitewashed cottages, blue-trimmed windows and a cobbled central square. The village was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake following the geometric principles of the Marquês de Pombal, giving it an unusually ordered layout. A small harbour cuts into the cliffs, and numerous sandy coves lie within walking distance. Porto Covo makes a quieter, more intimate alternative to Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Sines claims the distinction of being Vasco da Gama's birthplace, and a statue of the explorer stands beside the medieval castle where his father was governor. The old town preserves some charm, with a small museum dedicated to the Age of Discovery and a clifftop chapel commissioned by da Gama himself. However, the 1970s brought massive industrial development: Portugal's largest container port, an oil refinery and petrochemical plants now dominate the coastline.
Do you need a car for Lisbon?
A car enhances the Albufeira experience, opening up remote beaches and villages. In Lisbon, a car becomes a burden. The city has excellent public transport, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt offer inexpensive private travel. Driving in Lisbon means heavy traffic, erratic behaviour from other drivers and severely limited parking.
Have a car for your time in Albufeira, but skip one for Lisbon.
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