How To Go from Faro to Albufeira

While Faro has an airport, Albufeira doesn’t. This is why many visitors of the Algarve fly in to Faro and then find their way along the coast to other towns in this area.

Whether you’re going from Faro to Albufeira or the other way around, you have several convenient transportation choices.

Here are the options, with typical travel times and costs.

By Bus

Taking the bus is one of the easiest ways to travel between Faro and Albufeira.

Vamus is the main transport operator in the Algarve. You can find their bus schedules here.

The Eva Bus company runs a frequent shuttle service along the Algarve that connects the two cities in around 45-60 minutes. One-way tickets cost approximately €5-7.

As far as I’ve understood from their website, they use the same buses as Vamus.

By Train

Unfortunately there is no direct train connection between Faro and Albufeira.

However, you can take a train from Faro to Tunes (journey time around 30 minutes) and then transfer to a bus that will get you to Albufeira in about 30 more minutes.

Total trip duration is 1-1.5 hours and will cost €5-10.

I’d choose this only if I were a real fan of trains in Europe. Having to put up with the transfer in Tunes makes me think this isn’t the best option to go from Faro to Albufeira.

By Private Transfer

Click here to find out more details about such private transfers and to book yours right now!

These drivers can pick you up at the Faro airport and take you to Albufeira or anywhere else in the Algarve.

By Rental Car, Taxi or Rideshare (Uber)

Having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to make the 40 km drive between Faro and Albufeira at your convenience.

The trip takes around 30-40 minutes via the A22 toll road. Rental cars start around €30/day, while taxis charge a fixed rate of approximately €40-50 each way.

Rideshare apps like Uber or Bolt can also get you between Faro and Albufeira fairly inexpensively. Estimate around €25-35 each way for an Uber X sedan, with rides taking 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

Driving in the Algarve is a great experience. There’s not crazy traffic, the roads are good, the weather is fine, and you can easily find parking wherever you want to take a break.

As I live in Europe, I was able to drive my own car during the winter I’ve spent in the Algarve.

As a Day Trip

Many tour companies offer day trips from Faro to Albufeira and back.

These guided tours typically leave Faro in the morning, spend several hours exploring Albufeira’s old town, beaches, and sights, then return in the evening.

Prices range from €35-60 per person for transportation and some meals included.

No matter how you travel between these two popular Algarve destinations, the trips are easy, affordable, and give you the chance to experience Portugal’s beautiful southern coast.