Lisbon to Faro Travel Options

Old Nov 11th, 2004, 11:29 AM
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Lisbon to Faro Travel Options

G'day folks

My wife and I will be flying from Canada to Lisbon on Dec 21 and we want to take the train down to Faro in the Algarve. We'll be renting a car in Faro and spending about 10 days in the Algarve area.

Does anyone know the cost of a taxi for two with luggage from the Lisbon airport to the Lisbon train station? Is there a shuttle service?

I don't care to drive from Lisbon to Faro because I've heard that the gasoline prices and toll roads between Lisbon and Faro are very expensive. Does that make sense?

Any advice or information from you Portugal experts would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance
CAPT
CaptKangaroo is offline  
Old Nov 11th, 2004, 12:50 PM
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well you want to go to the Oriente train station and according to the Thomas Cook Timetable airport shuttles only go to the Rossio and cais do Sodre stations and Terreiro de Paco ferry terminal. As the Oriente station, a new station built several years ago on the outskirts of town, is somewhat near the airport, about 7 km, taxis shouldn't be too muc. Trains leave Oriente daily at 8:21 13:21 17:21 and 19:21, taking 3.5 hrs to Faro. Buses provide a more frequent link i think.
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 02:00 AM
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I think both options (train and car) are equivalent.
Using the train, you have 15 Euros for taxi, around 20 euros each for the train itself and some more euros for the taxi in the Algarve. There is a limited offer of trains, 8h21m...11h59, 13h21m...16h59m, 17h21m...20h21m and 19h21m...22h53m. I think it might be possible that you have to book in advance, but I din't see how to do that.
Using the car you have around 24 euros for gas and 28.45 euros for tolls. The duration is equivalent... some more than 3 hours.
Usefull links:
http://www.cp.pt (trains) and http://www.brisa.pt (highway network)
I think the path followed by train is more scenic than the highway. The crossing of Tagus river is done by 25th April bridge and by car the most direct route follows Vasco da Gama Bridge.
Advantages of train: more scenic route, you don't need to drive on arrival day. Cattering service similar of planes.
Advantages of car: more freedom to stop and go when you wish, you put your luggage in the luggage compartment have only to change it when arriving to the hotel or apartment, without the need to change it from taxis to train and vice versa.
Important note: never leave luggage or personal goods in the car, visible from the outside. Luggage is to be kept in the luggage compartment and personal goods are to be kept with you. This does not apply of course for short stays in service areas of highways.
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 02:06 AM
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I forgot something: Oriente train station is a master piece of Catalan architect Santiago Calatrava, it looks more like a cathedral of steel and glass, than a train station. It was built in 1997, 1998 and its a good photograph opportunity, together with the surrounding Parque nas Nacoes (former Expo98) area.
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 02:22 AM
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It's Oriente MultiModal Transportation Center: You may even be able to catch a bus from there to Faro (or at least to Setubal, on the south side of the Tagus estuary, where you can catch a train). That way you wouldn't have to mess with the ferry from Caís do Sodré across the Tagus.
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 02:27 AM
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Hi Ned
All trains indicated by me or PalQ are direct trains (Lisbon to Faro).
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 07:58 AM
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G'day all

Thanks for the wealth of information. I checked out the website www.cp.pt for train schedules and learned that the train from Lisbon actually stops in Albufiera before continuing on to Faro. Our first night accomodation is in Albufiera so that's perfect. I was thinking I would have had to drive from Faro back to Albufiera but now I'll arrange the rental car in Albufiera.

One more question: Some of the trains are called Intercity and some are called Pendular. Can someone explain the difference to me?

Thanks again. You people are very generous with your information!

CAPT
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 08:07 AM
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Until recently, trains to Faro started from Barreiro on the south side of the Tejo estuary, with a boat connection from Lisboa. The trains now cross the estuary on a bridge.
Albufeira (note spelling) is on the line to Faro, but fast trains may not all stop there. "Pendular" trains are high-speed tilting trains.
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Old Nov 12th, 2004, 05:22 PM
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G'day folks

Thanks again for the wealth of information but I'm not sure what Ned's comments are trying to tell me. I'm assuming from Geoffhamer, PalQ and Lobo Mau that there is no need to travel to the Barreiro to get a train to Albufeira. From the Lisbon airport, I simply take a taxi to Oriente and board a train there to Albufeira. Is that correct?

CAPT
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Old Nov 16th, 2004, 07:00 AM
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Hello,

I'm from Lisbon and I do have a house in Algarve and I'll tell one thing for sure: In you position I would definetely rent a car. Cost (toll and gas) = 45 €. As you see, no big deal for a 300 km trip. In the middle, stop at Alcacer do Sal, Ourique or Grandola, all in Alentejo, to admire the typical architecture of the region and, more important, the food. You won't regret both advises. Please, answer my question at the Canada forum, because I'm visiting your country next July. Yours, Joao.
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