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๐ต๐น During our two weeks in Portugal we based ourselves in Lagos for several days โ one of the highlights of the whole trip. Getting there from Faro Airport is straightforward once you know your options.
Lagos sits at the western end of the Algarve, roughly 80km from Faro Airport. It's further than Albufeira or Vilamoura, which means transfers cost a little more โ but Lagos is also one of the most spectacular bases in the whole of Portugal, so it's absolutely worth the journey.
Here's everything you need to know about getting from Faro Airport to Lagos, with honest advice on each option.
Faro Airport to Lagos: Options at a Glance
| Method | Journey Time | Price (approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi | 70โ90 min | โฌ80โโฌ110 | Families, late arrivals, direct |
| Pre-booked transfer | 75โ100 min | โฌ20โโฌ30pp | Groups, fixed pricing |
| Train (direct/1 change) | 1.5โ2 hrs | โฌ9โโฌ12pp | travel budget calculator travellers, scenic |
| Bus (EVA/Rede) | 2โ2.5 hrs | โฌ7โโฌ9pp | Solo budget travellers |
| Rental car | 70 min | from โฌ25/day | Exploring broadly |
Option 1: Private Taxi from Faro Airport to Lagos
Taxis wait outside Faro Airport arrivals. The fare to Lagos is metered but the driver may offer a fixed price โ expect โฌ80โโฌ110 depending on traffic, time of day, and exact drop-off location.
Journey time: 70โ90 minutes via the A22 motorway.
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Tips:
- A22 motorway toll (โฌ6โโฌ8 one-way) is added to the meter fare
- Night surcharge (after 21:00) adds ~20%
- For a group of 3โ4, a taxi is far better value than individual bus tickets
- Only use official white taxis from the airport rank or app-based services (Uber, Bolt)
Verdict: Expensive for solo travellers but genuinely reasonable for couples or small groups. The convenience of direct door-to-door at any hour is hard to beat, especially with luggage.
Option 2: Pre-Booked Private Transfer
A private airport transfer fixes the price before you travel and eliminates all uncertainty. A driver meets you in arrivals and takes you directly to your accommodation in Lagos.
Typical prices Faro Airport โ Lagos:
- 1โ3 passengers: โฌ75โโฌ95
- 4โ6 passengers (minivan): โฌ85โโฌ110
- 7โ8 passengers: โฌ100โโฌ130
Book a private transfer on GetYourGuide โ
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Verdict: Best option for families with children (especially if you need a car seat โ request it when booking), groups of 4+, or if you want zero stress on arrival day.
Option 3: Train from Faro to Lagos
This is the most scenic and surprisingly affordable option for independent travellers. The Algarve line runs the full length of the coast from Faro to Lagos, passing through beautiful countryside, lagoon views, and small towns.
Route:
- From Faro train station (taxi or shuttle from airport, ~10 minutes, ~โฌ7โโฌ10)
- Direct train or change at Tunes to Lagos
- Journey time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes โ 2 hours depending on service
- Price: โฌ9โโฌ12 per person (buy on the CP app to skip station queues)
Trains from Faro to Lagos: Several daily services. Intercidades (IC) trains are faster; regional trains stop more and take longer. Check cp.pt for the current timetable.
Pro tip: Buy your tickets on the CP app before arriving at the station โ queues at Faro station can be very long in summer.
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At Lagos station: The train station is about a 10-minute walk from Lagos old town and marina. Very manageable with a rolling suitcase on flat ground.
Verdict: Our favourite option for independent travellers. The train journey along the Algarve is genuinely beautiful, the price is excellent, and Lagos train station is ideally located. Just add ~โฌ8โโฌ10 for the taxi from Faro Airport to the train station.
Option 4: Bus from Faro Airport to Lagos
EVA Transportes and Rede Expressos run buses between Faro and Lagos. There is no direct bus from the airport โ you need to travel to Faro bus terminal first.
Route:
- Walk or take the free airport shuttle to Faro bus terminal (5โ10 minutes)
- EVA or Rede Expressos bus: Faro โ Lagos, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
- Lagos bus terminal is in the town centre โ convenient for most accommodation
Price: Around โฌ7โโฌ9 per person one-way.
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Check timetables at eva-bus.com or rede-expressos.pt โ services are less frequent in winter.
Verdict: Good for solo budget travellers with light luggage. The bus is comfortable and the terminal location in Lagos is good. Slightly slower and less scenic than the train, but marginally cheaper.
Option 5: Rental Car from Faro Airport
If you're planning to explore the Algarve โ Ponta da Piedade, the sea caves, Cape St. Vincent, the inland villages โ a rental car transforms your trip.
All major rental companies have desks at Faro Airport arrivals. Book well ahead for summer.
Drive Faro Airport โ Lagos:
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- Take the A22 west (toll motorway, around โฌ5โโฌ7 one-way)
- Or take the slower but free EN125 coastal route (~1.5 hrs)
- A22 journey: approximately 65โ75 minutes
Parking in Lagos: There are paid car parks near the marina and old town. Many accommodation options in Lagos have parking arrangements โ confirm when booking.
Verdict: If you have 7+ days in the Algarve and want to access beaches and viewpoints like Ponta da Piedade properly, a car is invaluable. For a city-based Lagos stay, you can manage without.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Solo traveller: Train (cheapest, scenic, easy from Lagos station)
- Couple: Taxi or train โ taxi splits well between two
- Family with luggage: Pre-booked transfer or rental car
- Late night arrival (after 21:00): Pre-booked transfer or taxi โ no trains or buses
- Algarve road trip planned: Rental car from the airport
Getting from Lagos Back to Faro Airport
Same options in reverse. For the return:
- Train: Lagos โ Faro station (~1.5โ2 hrs), then taxi from Faro station to airport (~10 min, โฌ7โโฌ10). Allow 3 hours total before your flight.
- Bus: Lagos terminal โ Faro terminal then shuttle to airport. Allow 3+ hours.
- Taxi: Book the night before for early flights. Ask your accommodation to arrange one.
Buy train tickets on the CP app โ avoid the station queues at Lagos too.
FAQ: Faro Airport to Lagos
How far is Faro Airport from Lagos? About 80km by road. The A22 makes it approximately 65โ75 minutes by car with normal traffic.
Is there a direct train from Faro to Lagos? Some services are direct; others require a change at Tunes. Check the CP app or cp.pt for the specific service that day. Journey time is 1h45mโ2hrs.
How much does a taxi from Faro Airport to Lagos cost? Expect โฌ80โโฌ110 including the A22 toll. Night surcharge applies after 21:00.
Is there a shuttle bus from Faro Airport directly to Lagos? No direct airport shuttle. You need to use Faro bus terminal as a hub, or book a private transfer.
What is the cheapest way to get from Faro Airport to Lagos? The bus (via Faro terminal) at around โฌ7โโฌ9. The train is slightly more expensive but faster and more comfortable.
Can I walk from Lagos train station to the old town? Yes โ it's about 800 metres (10 minutes) on flat ground. Very manageable with a rolling suitcase.
Plan Your Lagos and Algarve Trip
- Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal
- Lagos Portugal Itinerary: 2โ3 Days
- Where to Stay in Lagos
- Faro Airport to Albufeira
- Lagos vs Albufeira: Which Should You Choose?
- Lisbon to Lagos: How to Get There
- Best Beaches in the Algarve
- 2 Weeks in Portugal Itinerary
Where to Buy the Lisbon Pass
You can book the Lisbon city pass directly through Tiqets with instant confirmation:
- Book on Tiqets โ โ Best price, instant e-ticket
- Read my full Lisbon Pass review โ โ Is it worth it for your trip?
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