How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira Best Way

Last updated on November 26th, 2023 at 07:00 pm

How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira (Travel Guide)

Albufeira is a small town located in the south of Portugal, specifically in the area of ​Algarve. It is the typical fishing village converted, nowadays, into a tourist attraction. In this post, we will discuss what you should see in Albufeira and how to get from Lisbon to Albufeira  in our Albufeira travel guide.

The main attractions of Albufeira are its beaches, among which we will highlight the Praia dos Pescadores, the closest to the center, or the beaches of Peneco or Oura. On the other hand, another thing that makes Albufeira unique is its dolphin watching points.

Albufeira is Algarve’s most popular beach resort, boasting beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and an extensive selection of bars and restaurants. The main airport of Algarve is Faro Airport, which is 35 kilometers to the east of Albufeira and is served by very limited public transport.

What Is The Distance from Lisbon to Albufeira?

The distance from Lisbon to Albufeira is 254 kilometers and it will take 3 hours.

What Is The Cheapest Way from Lisbon to Albufeira?

The cheapest way from Lisbon to Algarve is by bus for €8 you can book online and it will take 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Read here the most instagrammable places in Portugal, instagrammable places in Algarve and all the things to know before visiting Portugal!

Read here how to get from Lisbon airport to Cascais, Lisbon airport to Sintra, Lisbon airport to city center, Faro airport to Albufeira, Faro airport to Lagos, and Road trip to Algarve!

Where to Stay in Algarve

Since camping areas where they charge €15 per person. A dorm in a hostel can cost as low as €20 while mid-budget accommodations go for around €35-40. A very comfortable room in a beautiful resort can go for as low as €50, while luxury suites start at around €70.

You can also click here if you want to see more accommodation options through booking!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

Albufeira Travel Guide

How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira 

How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira by train

To go from Lisbon to Albufeira by train. You have the option of taking the typical train with enough stops, which takes around three and a half hours to arrive. Or you can catch a fast train, which takes around two and a half hours.

In any case, from the Lisbon train station you must take the train to Faro/Lagos and stop at the Albufeira-Ferreiras stop. Prices for one way are around €20.

How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira by bus

To go to Albufeira from Lisbon by bus will take you 3-4 hours depending on the traffic especially leaving Lisbon.  Bus rides can cost €15-20 you can book online and they stop many times so the journeys are long.

During summer, Faro airport can be a chaotic traffic jam. There are two types of bus service between Faro and Albufeira, an express bus or the much slower regional service.

Read here our top 10 Instagrammable places in Lisbon!

How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira by car

If you want to get from Lisbon to Albufeira by car as we did. It will be the most comfortable option. There are 260 kilometers distance from Lisbon to Albufeira. It will take 2 hours and half to 3 hours to reach there.

How to get to Albufeira from Faro airport

The first stage of the journey is 6km from Faro International Airport to Faro train or bus station. There is a direct bus service (number 16 bus) from the airport with irregular departure times, but there is at least one bus per hour between 6am-11pm. The journey takes under twenty minutes. The fare costs €2.25 and tickets are purchased from the driver.

The published timetable is displayed at the bus stop. There are departures every 30-50 minutes. Faro train station and bus station are very close together and are only 200 meters apart. A taxi from the airport to the train station costs €10-12 and only takes 10 minutes.

By bus

The express bus takes 55 minutes whereas the Interurban bus takes 90 minutes. The express bus ticket costs €5.50 and it departs from intercity bus station. The regional bus costs €3.85 and it leaves from Proximo station. When departing from Faro bus station, all tickets must be purchased from the ticket office and not the driver.

By train

The train between Faro to Albufeira (Ferreiras) is a slow but inexpensive region service. The advantage of the train is that it is relaxing and there are always seats available, but the nearest station to Albufeira is 7km away in the small town of Ferreiras. From Ferreiras it is 10-minute taxi ride (€10-15) to Albufeira or a local bus to Albufeira bus station (which is still a 1.5km walk to the historic center).

Ferreiras/Albufeira train station is 6km north of the main resort town, and this makes the train a poor choice of transport to reach Albufeira. The only reason to take the train is if the buses are all sold out. The train is operated by Combios de Portugal (CP) and a single ticket costs €3.30, while the journey takes 35 minutes.

By taxi

A taxi ride from Faro airport can cost around €50 due to the long distance from Faro to Albufeira (35 kilometers).

Private Transfer

A private transfer is the easiest and fastest method of travel from Faro airport to Albufeira and it can cost €30 for a single trip.

Click here to get a discount booking online transfers and tours in Portugal with Klook!

Best time to visit Albufeira

Albufeira has hot summers, warm springs and autumn. If you are going on a trip around Albufeira, the best time for you to visit is during the months of April to June, because the weather is nice for spending on the road since most of your itinerary consists of outdoor activities like sightseeing, walking and biking along the coast of beautiful beaches offered by Albufeira.

July and August can be a nightmare for tourists because of the temperature and since its summer, it is a peak season due to the school holidays. But if you are staying or based on a country farmhouse complete with all the necessities, you will be fine.

Click here to know the weather in Portugal before your visit.

Where to stay in Albufeira

We chose to stay in Albufeira, Central Algarve when we visited Algarve because it´s halfway between Faros and Lagos. Our choice was Olhos de Agua, a small town with two beaches really close to our apartment. Praia de Falesia and Olhos de Agua are just 10-15 minutes walking distance.

The location is great for going out for dinner since there are a few restaurants that are just also waking distance away. If you want to go by car, Albufeira town is only a 5 minutes drive. 

Click here to get the best deals in Albufeira with Booking!

Check the pictures of the beautiful apartment in Albufeira:

Beaches to visit in Albufeira

Praia da Falesia

One of the many long beaches in Algarve is Praia da Falesia, with shores stretching from Olhos de Água in the east and the beautiful Vilamoura in the west. It is another stunning beach with a truly great vibe, with its wooden steps leading to and from various places in the area. Praia da Falesia can also be reached from the Pine Cliffs resort through a glass lift that takes you to the boardwalk.

It’s one of our favorite beaches for relaxing and is not as accessible as other beaches so there’s always enough space for you to read, swim, sunbathe, surf and just chill.

Praia dos Pescadores

Fisherman’s Beach is a blue flag beach on the Atlantic south coast of Algarve. It’s is a must-visit beach in Albufeira especially when you are staying in Albufeira’s old town. You can go on for a short walk and you’ll be able to see it’s beautiful golden sand and the cool ocean water. On your stay, you’ll feel at home, locals are friendly and there are plenty of beach restaurants and water sports activities available.

Olhos de Agua

A small fisherman’s village located in the municipality of Albufeira, Portugal. It is one of the beaches that is great for families because of its direct access from the village and offers variety of services. It is a beautiful beach, and in the low tide, you can watch its famous natural springs coming out of the sand known by the locals as “Olhos de Agua” (water eyes).

Travel tip: Olhos de Agua beach is magical to visit at sunset time.

Praia do Barranco das Belharucas

It begins in the Falesia Beach that extends for 7 km to Vilamoura. It is an unspoiled beach far away from the village beaches. It is a perfect beach for those travelers who want to get away from the crowd and a perfect get away for couples fancying romantic walk. It has road access from Olhos de Agua and there is an available beach restaurant for lunch or snack for visitors.

Where to eat in Albufeira

Restaurante Dom Carlos

It is a charming little restaurant that offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere and fresh delicious food. The restaurant is a Portuguese fine dining and it’s offering a popular five-course evening meal at €49 alongside with a broad selection of wines. Operated by a husband and wife, it’s often to see crowded, so better if you book in advance.

Restaurante Tres Palmeiras

It is a perfect place to try Portuguese favorite like Algarve cataplan-cooked seafood stews. The restaurant caters to families offering a wide variety of menu and is also offering some vegetarian alternatives. It is a little way off from the tourist restaurants of the central area. It is a great chance to experience Michelin-listed Portuguese cuisine at a reasonable price.

O Marinheiro

It is a charmingly rustic style restaurant with some hints of Algarve’s nautical past. It has a casual vibe and is located a short way out of the city center. This restaurant is Mediterranean inspired and has a full range Portuguese dishes consist of meat and seafood options. The menu is full of delicious selection and is all freshly caught- fish and other delicious fruits of the sea. You can order a meal like Grilled Octopus and many more. There are also array of deserts available.

The Palacete

This one is a local favorite, serving up hearty Portuguese meals in a traditional and family-friendly manner. The Palacete prides itself particularly on its range of hearty steaks and fresh seafood and is great for an intimate dinner or you can also enjoy a night out with your friends. A total of €70 is a price for 2.

Eurasia

It is one of Albuferia’s restaurants that caters exclusively for vegetarian and vegan diners. The restaurant is Asian and international influenced, and it is making space for some reliable Portuguese dishes. It offers a value buffet system. You can eat all the healthy meals in the restaurant for as low as €7.50.

Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys 

Happy travels!