We will be in Seville in September and we are keen to visit Lisbon and Evora and return to Seville. There doesn't seem to be any easy train or bus to do this can anyone offer any suggestions?

That's really strange. You can't even get to Faro by train from Seville. Have you tried bus service from Seville to Faro and then the train to Lisbon?

The other options are:

rent a car
stay in Spain
fly to Lisbon and take the train to Evora

I'd choose stay in Spain and see Portugal on another trip

Seville to Faro by bus - then few hours to Lisbon - Lisbon to Evora by train or bus - Evora to Faro by bus - bus back to Seville. That's about the best way via public transporation.

For details on this route check out these fantastic IMO sites on European trains (and buses) - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

http://www.algarvebus.info/001.htm#seville and the only journey this site does not cover is Evora to Faro with - http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

not easy but there is an overnight bus from Seville to Lisbon

http://www.alsa.es/en#capa_internacional

from Lisbon to Evora bus again

http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Evora to Seville is tricky

but can be done by bus Evora to Badajoz with alsa, then another bus from Badajoz to Seville with also

or alternatively a bus from Seville to Faro, then train to Lisbon as mentioned earlier

"but can be done by bus Evora to Badajoz with alsa, then another bus from Badajoz to Seville with also"

should read ..."with Alsa"!

Or take a train from Seville to Madrid in about two hours and then hop the overnight train direct to Lisbon? www.renfe.com for cheap online fares.

We did the same thing, only in reverse. Consider renting a car at the Seville airport and returning the car in Seville.

A very easy drive.

So, Evora, Lisbon, Faro and then back to Seville.

The drive into Lisbon was a little tricky, but we managed.

Time wise; Seville to Evora, about three hours. Evora to Lisbon, about two hours. Then Lisbon to Faro, about three hours. Back to Seville, under three hours.

Thanks everyone,

Hadn't thought about Faro, might be easiest to head there and just go north and not return to Seville. Have been Seville/Lisbon/Evora/Seville before but in a friend's car so that made it easy. Driving isn't an option this time, anyway - all good grist for the mill.