This page explains how to buy train tickets from Faro, Albufeira & the Algarve to other European cities at the cheapest prices, buying online direct from the operators, usually with print-at-home tickets. Click here to buy tickets starting in another city.
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Take a moment to read these important tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". And most important, click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European
train travel FAQ
Faro & Algarve to Lisbon from €8
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The best way from Faro or Albufeira to Lisbon is by train. There are two types of train, both run by CP (Portuguese Railways). The premier Alfa Pendular trains (AP) are 125 mph tilting trains which take just 3h05 from Faro to Lisbon Oriente or only 2h42 from Albufeira-Ferreiras. The slightly slower but still air-conditioned and comfortable Intercity (IC) trains take 3h30 from Faro or 3h10 from Albufeira-Ferreiras
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Advance-purchase fares start at around €9.50 in 2nd class or €19 in 1st class.
If you buy on the day you'll pay the full-flex rate which is around €24 in 2nd class or €32 in 1st class.
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Buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or Omio.com (in €, £ or $).
It can help to remember that Lisbon is Lisboa in Portuguese. You'll need passport numbers for all travellers. You print your own ticket.
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Which station in Lisbon? Trains from the Algarve generally terminate at Lisbon Oriente. Change there for regular suburban trains taking another 7 minutes to Lisboa - Santa Apolonia which is Lisbon's main terminus closest to the city centre.
Faro & Algarve to Porto from €19
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Two direct Alfa Pendular trains link Faro & Albufeira-Ferreiras with Porto every day. At the time I write this, they leave Faro at 07:00 & 16:00. Faro to Porto takes 5h50 city centre to city centre.
Alternatively, other departures are available at intervals through the day with one simple change of train at Lisbon Oriente.
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Advance-purchase fares start at around €19 in 2nd class or €39 in 1st class.
If you buy on the day of travel you'll pay higher prices.
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Buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or Omio.com (in €, £ or $).
You'll need passport numbers for all travellers. You print your own ticket.
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Tip: You should book to Porto Campanhã as that is the station where the fast trains start, but your ticket will be valid for a free transfer by CP suburban train from Porto Campanhã to the beautiful Porto São Bento station right inside the old city. Suburban trains link Campanhã & São Bento stations every 5-15 minutes taking 4 minutes.
Faro & Algarve to Madrid from €17 + €28
By bus to Seville then AVE high-speed train - the recommended route...
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Step 0, if you're starting in Albufeira, take a train from Albufeira-Ferreiras to Faro. See www.cp.pt or Omio.com for times & prices.
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Step 1, take a bus from Faro to Seville. Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21. There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
In Faro, most buses leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals, choose one that goes to Seville Santa Justa station. I'd allow an hour or two between train and bus in Seville, just in case of delay.
Buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 3, take an AVE high-speed train from Seville Santa Justa station to Madrid Atocha in around 2h30.
Fares start at around €28. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Faro & Algarve to Barcelona
By bus to Seville, then AVE high-speed train from Seville to Barcelona. The fastest & cheapest option...
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Step 0, if you're starting in Albufeira, take a train to Faro. www.cp.pt or Omio.com for times & prices.
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Step 1, take a bus from Faro to Seville. Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21. There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
In Faro, most buses leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals, choose one that goes to Seville Santa Justa station. I'd allow an hour or two between train and bus in Seville, just in case of delay.
Check times & buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com), you print your own ticket.
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Step 3, take an AVE high-speed train from Seville Santa Justa to Barcelona Sants. There are 2 or 3 direct AVE S112 trains every day, taking around 5h32.
Fares start at around €45. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Faro & Algarve to San Sebastian
Option 1, Faro to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Madrid...
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Day 1, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21.
There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
Check times & buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com), you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Day 1, travel from Seville Santa Justa to Madrid Atocha by high-speed AVE train in around 2h35. Fares start at around €30.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. I'd book a train that leaves Seville at least 2 hours after your bus is due to arrive.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Next morning, transfer from Madrid Atocha to Madrid Chamartin as shown here.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train. There's a morning departure from Madrid Chamartin at around 08:00 or (if you wanted a day in Madrid) a late afternoon one at around 16:00, taking around 5h25. Fares from around €23.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Option 2, Faro to San Sebastian with overnight stop in Seville
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Day 1, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21. There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
Check times & buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com, you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Stay overnight in Seville.
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Day 2, travel from Seville Santa Justa to Madrid Atocha by high-speed AVE train in around 2h35. Fares start at around €30.
You can normally leave Seville at around 10:40, just make sure you book a train that gives you at least 2 hours between arriving at Madrid Atocha and leaving from Madrid Chamartin.
Check times and buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Transfer from Madrid Atocha to Madrid Chamartin as shown here. I'd allow at least 2 hours between trains in Madrid.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train using the afternoon departure leaving Madrid Chamartin around 15:00, taking around 5h25. Fares start from around €23.
Check times and buy a ticket at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Faro & Algarve to Vigo, Santiago de Compostela
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Step 1, travel from Faro or Albufeira to Porto Campanhã as shown above. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Porto in case of delay, perhaps a bit more given there's only two trains a day onwards to Vigo.
Book this at www.cp.pt or Omio.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 2, two regional express trains link Porto Campanhã with Vigo Guixar every day. At the time I wrote this departures are at 08:13 & 19:10, journey time around 2h22, fare around €15.
Book this at Omio.com and print your own ticket.
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Step 3, take a train from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela.
Book from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela as a separate ticket from around €9 upwards at Omio.com. You print your own ticket. I'd allow at least 40 minutes between trains in Vigo. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
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Faro-Vigo can be done in a day, but Faro to Santiago de Compostela requires an overnight stop. You either need an evening train from Faro to Porto, an overnight hotel in Porto, then the morning train to Vigo and connection to Santiago. Or morning train from Faro to Porto, evening train to Vigo, overnight stop in Vigo, morning train on to Santiago.
Faro & Algarve to Seville, Cordoba, Malaga & Costa del Sol
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Step 1, take a bus from Faro to Seville. Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21. There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus. I'd allow an hour or two between train and bus in Faro, just in case of delay.
Buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com, you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Step 3, take a train from Seville Santa Justa station to Cordoba, Malaga or elsewhere in Andalusia.
Check times and buy online at Omio.com or www.raileurope.com though for short hops you can buy when you get there at the station if you like. Change at Malaga for Benidorm. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Faro & Algarve to Alicante & Valencia
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Day 1, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21. There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
Buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com, you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Stay overnight in Seville.
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Day 2, travel from Seville Santa Justa to Alicante or Valencia with a change of train in Madrid.
Find train times and buy a ticket at Omio.com or www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies.
Faro & Algarve to Paris
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Day 1, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21.
There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
Buy tickets for any of these buses at Omio.com, you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Day 1, travel from Seville Santa Justa to Madrid Atocha by high-speed AVE train in around 2h35. Fares start at around €30.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. I'd book a train that leaves Seville at least 2 hours after your bus is due to arrive.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Next morning, transfer from Madrid Atocha to Madrid Chamartin as shown here.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train. There's a morning departure at around 08:00, taking around 5h25 to San Sebastian Renfe station.
Fares start at around €23. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, transfer from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye by Euskotren. This runs every 30 minutes, journey times 37 minutes, fare €2.75, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.
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Day 2, take a train from Hendaye to Paris, you'll usually find on leaving soon after 16:00 and arriving Paris Montparnasse around 21:00.
Fares start at €25 upwards. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Check times and buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Faro & Algarve to Bordeaux
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Day 1, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare €17-€21.
There are various buses run by Damas, Alsa, EuroLines or Iberobus.
Buy tickets for all these buses at Omio.com, you print your own ticket.
In Faro, most buses in Faro leave from the Terminal Rodoviário which is just across the road and to the right when you walk out of Faro railway station. In Seville, buses use various terminals but some go to Seville Santa Justa station, use one of these buses if you have an onward train.
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Day 1, travel from Seville Santa Justa to Madrid Atocha by high-speed AVE train in around 2h35. Fares start at around €30.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and print your own ticket. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. I'd book a train that leaves Seville at least 2 hours after your bus is due to arrive.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Next morning, transfer from Madrid Atocha to Madrid Chamartin as shown here.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to San Sebastian by comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train. There's a morning departure at around 08:00, taking around 5h25 to San Sebastian Renfe station.
Fares start at around €23. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, transfer from San Sebastian Amara station to Hendaye by Euskotren. This runs every 30 minutes, journey times 37 minutes, fare €2.75, buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.
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Day 2, take a train from Hendaye to Bordeaux, there are regular departures. Check times and buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Faro & Algarve to all other destinations
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For London & UK, see the London to Portugal page which covers this in both directions. You travel from Faro to Paris as shown above then from Paris to London by Eurostar.
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For Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Germany, Scandinavia, Poland, Russia: Travel to Paris as shown above, then see the Trains from Paris page.
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For the South of France, Andorra, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia: Travel to Barcelona as shown above, then see the Trains from Barcelona page.
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For Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine you can consider travel via Paris or via Barcelona. Travel to Paris as shown above, then see the Trains from Paris page. Or travel to Barcelona as shown above, then see the Trains from Barcelona page.