Many people have recommended renting a car in Algarve. I really prefer not to do it, but I will if it's necessary. Flying into Faro in mid-September, staying at
Hotel Mirachoro Carvoeiro (so far), and then need to get myself to Lisbon after 5 nights. It's possible to get a shuttle from airport to hotel, and then is it the right thing to take something like flixbus to Lisbon? The hotel website says I can rent a car from there. Any idea on expense? Somewhere, I read $81 per day. Ugh.

The other option would be an open-jaw rental from Faro with drop off in Lisbon. Any idea on the cheapest and easiest drop off in Lisbon? I will be staying in Belem, actually. Any idea on what website to start surfing? Thanks!

The train would be easy CP.pt and seat61.com
There is a bus in from the airport.

I've never used a hire car on the Algarve. The bus and trains are excellent.

So, the hotel you have chosen is sold on by TUI

If you bought your ticket through TUI they should transport you from the airport to the hotel
But assuming you didn't then i'd use Rome2Rio which shows you can catch the bus or the train for the majority of the distance and need taxi at at least one end.

https://www.faroairport.pt/en/fao/ac...transportation

That is a very helpful link! Good lord, this forum is extremely active and helpful. I think I'm changing my mind and instead will stay in Lagos, at a Bed and Breakfast called Casa Flor do Mar in Lagos. It's less expensive. However, the places in Tavira look beautiful, too. I'm traveling alone, so the expense is adding up. So it turns into a question of if I rent a car in Faro with an open-jaw to drop off in Lisbon or use buses, trains, shuttles, etc. Someone has advised me that taking a bus into Lisbon from Lagos was very easy. Any suggestions?

I start with rome2rio just to get an idea of best routes, but click through to the real data behind to check it is kosher. Really a car is just a pain on holiday in these tight little streets and holiday buildings. Chill, you have nowhere to go, you are on holiday.

Your message made me laugh. "There's an emergency to get to the beach." I wonder if some of my information is a bit dated. My friend told me that when using the bus, they drop you off at the top of a hill and you need to walk for miles. I'm thinking of day trips to places like Tavira or Loule. Does that sound accurate about walking for miles? A couple miles might be OK. 6 miles is pushing it!

I'm European and I generally find a couple of miles is not a long way by foot. I recommend downloading Google maps and look at the distances from station to where you want to go.

If too far grab a taxi or wait for a bus. In most places you'll find electronic display of bus timings or download an app to do the same. If a bus is 30 minutes away, find a bar, order a cool drink and people watch.

We always rent a car, wherever we are. We like to see other places than the one we stay at. For instance, when you stay in Tavira and you want to see the rocky beaches of the fabulous Costa Vicentina, it takes between 4 to 7 hours by public transport. By car it's a mere 2 hours. You loose so much time using public transport in many countries (amongst which Portugal and Italy).

Flixbus is a great idea and probably the most cost effective, if you need to hire a car I would recommend Economy Bookings, I've used them a few times in Spain and always found them very reliable. Another alternative could be a private driver (not as expensive as you think it may be!) Try Kiwi Taxis I've not used them personally but they have some excellent reviews. Happy travels!!

The off-shore beaches at Tavira are worth a visit. Boats go from the end of a long mole.

Planning a holiday means not having to have a car. While ticking off Instagram spots....

I know. We have been there many times.
Planning a holiday means doing what you like to do/see. With or without a car. To each is own.